OINP PhD Graduate Stream Application Checklist

1. Summary

• Mandatory Documents Required:
  
  • Attestation
  • Identity documents
  • Status documents in Canada
  • Residency in Ontario documents
  • Education documents
  • Language test results
  • Settlement funds requirement documents
  • Resumé
  • Expression of interest selection factors
  • Other optional documents (if applicable)

2. Attestation

• Complete, sign, and upload the Attestation Form in the Required Documents section on the application submission date.

3. Identity Documents

• Photograph:
  
  • Scan of a physical photo, meeting passport/visa requirements.
• Passport:
  
  • Scan and upload the personal details page, pages with Canadian visas, and entry stamps.
• Family Members’ Passports:
  
  • Scan and upload personal details page for each dependent family member.

4. Status Documents in Canada

• Scan and upload copies of:
  
  • Work permits, study permits, temporary resident visas, and other Canadian immigration documents.
  • Implied status documents (if applicable): IRCC acknowledgment letter, IRCC fee receipt, post office mailing receipt.

5. Residency in Ontario Documents

• Prove one-year residency in Ontario in the last two years through documents like:
  
  • Phone, hydro, or energy bills.
  • Car or home insurance.
  • Lease or rental agreement.
  • Pay slips from an Ontario employer.

6. Education Documents

• Degree Documents:
  
  • If degree granted: scan and upload PhD degree and official transcripts.
  • If degree not yet granted: scan and upload official letter and official transcripts.
• Other Education Documents (Optional):
  
  • Include documentation for other degrees, diplomas, or certificates.

7. Language Test Results

• Upload results of an approved English or French language test (taken within the last two years).
• English tests: IELTS (General Training), CELPIP (General).
• French tests: TEF Canada, TCF Canada.

8. Settlement Funds Requirement Documents

• Options to Demonstrate Funds:
  
  • Bank statements (last three months).
  • Letter from financial institution for investment accounts.
  • Employment documents (if using ongoing employment in Ontario).
  • Job offer letter (if using job offer in Ontario).
• Redact credit card numbers before uploading.

9. Resumé

• Upload the most current resumé detailing work experience, education, contact information.

10. Intention to Reside in Ontario Documents

• List established ties to Ontario (employment, education, volunteer work, lease agreements, etc.).
• Provide a statement of intent if no ties exist.

11. Expression of Interest Scoring Factors Documents

• Work Permit Status in Canada: Upload relevant permits and implied status documents.
• Earnings History: Notice of Assessment(s) by CRA for the last five years.
• Highest Level of Education: Degree, diploma, certificate, or Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
• Field of Study: Official transcript from Canadian institution.
• Canadian Education Experience: Credential from eligible Canadian institution.
• Official Language Ability: Language test results.
• Regional Immigration: Transcript from Canadian institution for location of study.

Important Notes:

• All documents are mandatory unless otherwise stated.
• Avoid including non-mandatory documents to prevent application delays.
• Ensure all scans are clear and complete.
• Redact sensitive information like credit card numbers before uploading.
•  

Application Process

Following are the steps to the OINP PhD Graduate stream: 

1. Create a profile and upload all documents to OINP’s Express of Interest System 
2. Based on the profile, OINP will score and rank the profile. Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA); and submited your application to OINP within the next 14 days by submitting all necessary documents through Ontario’s e-Filing portal. 
3. Receive a provincial nomination from the OINP. The OINP may request additional supporting documents while processing the PhD Graduate Stream application.
4. Submit a federal application for permanent resident status to IRCC within the six months of receiving the nomination from the OINP.
   

Processing Times and Fees:

The processing times for PhD Graduate stream application are estimated to be 90 to 120 days. However, some applications may need more time to process if they are more complex or require more documents and/or information. The fee for this stream is similar to Express Entry Streams, set at $1,500 CAD. Application fees can only be refunded if the processing of the application has not started, either (i) if the applicant withdraws his/her application before processing starts or (ii) if the application is returned as being incomplete by the OINP.

 Draw Updates:

 To see a list of all draws, visit this page on OINP’s website, or join our mailing list. 

If you need help in applying for this stream, please get in touch with me [email protected]

Ontario PhD Graduate Stream Eligible Universities

The following Universities are eligible for the PhD Graduate stream:

• Brock University
• Carleton University
• Lakehead University
• Laurentian University
• McMaster University
• Nipissing University
• Queen’s University
• Royal Military College of Canada
• Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University)
• Trent University
• University of Guelph
• University of Ontario Institute of Technology
• University of Ottawa
• University of Toronto
• University of Waterloo
• University of Windsor
• Western University
• Wilfrid Laurier University
• York University