The Ontario Regional Immigration Pilot is an initiative under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) aimed at attracting and retaining skilled workers to rural and smaller communities within the province to address local labor shortages. This program works in collaboration with local partners in each community to facilitate the successful integration of new immigrants.
Eligible candidates who receive a nomination through the Regional Immigration Pilot are then invited to submit an application for Canadian permanent residency. Note that the Regional Immigration Pilot is not an independent immigration program, but rather an option for individuals who have already expressed interest under one of Ontario’s Employer Job Offer programs and meet the specific requirements of the Regional Immigration Pilot. The pilot features separate draws for qualifying candidates, which do not generally have a minimum score requirement for invitation.
Communities Selected for the Ontario Regional Immigration Pilot
The Regional Immigration Pilot is an initiative aimed at addressing the labour shortages in smaller and rural communities in Ontario through immigration. The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program collaborates with local partners in these communities to facilitate the successful integration and settlement of newcomers.
Presently, the following communities are participating in the Regional Immigration Pilot:
These communities have established settlement infrastructure and resources, including language and settlement services, to support the successful integration of newcomers.
Job Offer Requirements
In order to be eligible for the Regional Immigration Pilot program, candidates must have secured a full-time and permanent job offer from an employer located in one of the participating pilot communities. This requirement ensures that the program is directly addressing the local labor gaps in these smaller communities.
Application Procedure
In order to participate in the Regional Immigration Pilot program, candidates must first meet the eligibility criteria of one of the three streams under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program’s (OINP) Employer Job Offer program. Interested candidates should register an Expression of Interest profile with OINP to initiate the application process. Upon successful consideration in subsequent OINP Expression of Interest draws eligible candidates may receive an invitation to apply for a provincial nomination. Upon receipt of a provincial nomination, candidates will then be eligible to submit an application for Canadian permanent residency.
