The OINP Masters Graduate stream is one of Ontario’s fastest and most accessible provincial nomination pathways for international graduates. There is no job offer required and no employer involvement — the stream rewards graduates of eligible Ontario universities purely on the basis of their Master’s degree, Ontario study record, and active Express Entry profile. For graduates who meet the criteria, this stream can deliver a provincial nomination in as little as 30–60 days, followed by an Express Entry invitation to apply for permanent residence within weeks of the nomination.

To qualify, applicants must hold a Master’s degree from an eligible Ontario university, have studied full-time for at least 1 academic year (2 semesters or equivalent), have graduated within the past 2 years, and have an active Express Entry profile. The provincial fee is $1,500 and the process is administered through the OINP e-Filing Portal. Because the nomination is Express Entry-linked, the subsequent federal PR application benefits from the +600 CRS points that come with any provincial nomination.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must have a Master’s degree from an eligible Ontario university
• Must have studied full-time for at least 1 academic year (2 semesters)
• Must have graduated within the past 2 years
• Must have an active Express Entry profile
• No job offer required
• Must intend to live and work in Ontario permanently

Eligibility Requirements

The Masters Graduate stream has relatively focused requirements, but each must be satisfied precisely:

• Ontario university: The degree must be from an Ontario university that is publicly funded and on OINP’s eligible institutions list. Colleges — even those that grant degrees — are generally not eligible for this stream.
• Degree level: Must be a Master’s degree (not a graduate diploma or graduate certificate). Professional master’s degrees (MBA, MEng, LLM, MScA) qualify alongside research master’s programs.
• Study duration: Must have studied full-time for at least 1 full academic year — typically 2 consecutive semesters. Part-time study does not count. Co-op terms may count depending on enrolment classification.
• Recency: Must have graduated within 2 years of the OINP application date.
• Express Entry profile: Must have an active Express Entry profile (Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, or Federal Skilled Trades) on the IRCC portal at the time of the OINP application.
• Intention: Must intend to live and work in Ontario after receiving PR.

There is no minimum CRS score requirement for the Masters Graduate stream — unlike the Human Capital Priorities stream, which requires candidates to be above an OINP-set threshold. The Masters Graduate stream is open to all eligible graduates with an active EE profile regardless of their CRS score, making it valuable for graduates whose scores might not be high enough for a direct federal invitation.

Application Process

The Masters Graduate stream is one of the simpler OINP applications because it does not involve employer coordination.

1. Ensure you have an active Express Entry profile — if your profile has expired or you have not yet created one, this is the first step. Your profile must be active at the time you submit the OINP application.
2. Confirm eligibility — verify your Ontario university is eligible, confirm your graduation date is within the 2-year window, and gather your academic documents.
3. Register in the OINP e-Filing Portal and complete the online application form, entering your Express Entry profile number.
4. Submit the application with all required documents and pay the $1,500 provincial fee.
5. OINP reviews the application — processing takes approximately 30–60 days. In most cases, OINP does not request an interview for this stream.
6. Certificate of Nomination issued — update your Express Entry profile to indicate the nomination. IRCC adds +600 CRS points to your profile.
7. Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for federal PR — typically issued in the next scheduled Express Entry draw, often within weeks of updating your EE profile.
8. Submit federal PR application and complete biometrics, medical exam, and background checks. Federal processing is approximately 7 months.

Strategic Considerations

The 2-year graduation window is the most critical timing constraint. Candidates who have not yet graduated but are nearing completion should plan to apply as soon as possible after convocation — ideally within the first few months of graduation. Those who graduated more than 2 years ago are ineligible for this stream but may qualify for others such as the Human Capital Priorities stream or federal Express Entry pathways.

Candidates who are currently working in Canada on a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) should also consider the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) through Express Entry, especially if they have accumulated 12 months of skilled Canadian work experience. In some cases, a CEC profile combined with a strong language score may result in a direct federal ITA without needing a provincial nomination — particularly if a CEC-specific category-based draw is held. VGIS can help you model your options before committing to the OINP route.

Professional master’s degrees that include co-op or internship terms can sometimes create eligibility questions around full-time enrolment. If your program included substantial work terms, confirm with the university that you were enrolled as a full-time student throughout the academic semesters.

How VGIS Can Help

Dimple Verma, RCIC-IRB #R708308, advises Ontario Master’s graduates on Express Entry profile optimisation, confirms institution and program eligibility, and prepares the OINP application for submission. Even for a straightforward stream, missing a document or an incorrect EE profile entry can cost weeks of processing time.

Book a paid consultation at vgis.ca/book-consultation/ to review your graduation timeline, EE profile strength, and overall PR strategy.

Fees & Costs

Fee Component	Amount (CAD)
Government Fee	Provincial: $1,500. Federal PR: $1,525 principal applicant
Biometrics	$85 individual / $170 family

Fees current as of 2026. IRCC may update fees periodically — confirm on the official source link below before paying.

Key Documents Required

• Master’s degree and official transcript from Ontario university
• Active Express Entry profile number
• Language test results
• Proof of Ontario study (enrollment records, transcripts)
• Police clearances
• Proof of intent to reside in Ontario

Frequently Asked Questions

I have a Master’s from an Ontario university but my CRS score is only 380. Can I still get an OINP nomination?

Yes. The Masters Graduate stream has no minimum CRS threshold — it is based on your academic qualifications, not your CRS score. Once you receive the provincial nomination, your EE profile receives +600 CRS points, which will place you well above any current federal draw threshold. Low CRS scores are not a barrier to this stream.

Does a 1-year graduate diploma from an Ontario college qualify?

No. The stream specifically requires a Master’s degree from an Ontario university. Graduate diplomas, graduate certificates, and college credentials — even if at the graduate level — do not qualify for the Masters Graduate stream. College graduates with a job offer may consider the Employer Job Offer – International Student stream instead.

Can I apply if I graduated 18 months ago but have been working in another province?

Yes, provided you graduated from an eligible Ontario university and have an active Express Entry profile. The stream does not require that you currently live or work in Ontario — only that you intend to settle there after receiving PR. Working in another province does not disqualify you.

How long is the Express Entry profile valid and do I need to renew it?

An Express Entry profile is valid for 12 months. If your profile expires before you receive an OINP nomination, you must create a new profile. Your profile must be active at the time of OINP application submission and at the time of nomination. Keep track of your profile’s expiry date and renew it in advance if necessary.

Can my spouse be included in the federal PR application?

Yes. Once you receive an ITA for federal PR, your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children can be included as accompanying family members in the same federal application. Additional federal fees apply for each accompanying family member. Your spouse’s profile is not separately assessed for OINP purposes — the nomination is granted to you as the principal applicant.

Official Government Source: https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-immigrant-nominee-program-oinp

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Disclaimer: This page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Immigration laws and IRCC policies change frequently. For advice specific to your case, please book a paid consultation with our licensed RCIC-IRB. VG Immigration Services Inc. — Dimple Verma, RCIC-IRB #R708308.