How long does the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program take?

End to end, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program typically takes 12 to 24 months. Preparing a complete application (5 stages) usually takes around 21 months; the rest is government processing, which varies with caseload and country of application.

What slows down OINP applications?

The most common delays are incomplete evidence triggering requests for more information, missing or expired documents (police certificates and medicals have validity windows), and backlogs at specific processing offices. Filing a decision-ready application is the single biggest controllable factor.

Can I speed up the OINP?

You cannot skip the queue in most cases, but you can avoid adding to it: submit complete evidence the first time, respond to requests immediately, and keep documents valid. Some categories offer premium or priority processing — check the official government page for current options.

🇨🇦 Canada · OINP

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program: Processing time

Typical end-to-end timeline: 12–24 months. Here is where that time actually goes, stage by stage.

Typical processing time

12–24 months

from first preparation to final decision

Government processing times move with caseload. Check the official processing-time page for the current published estimate — our platform tracks these automatically.

The 5 stages of a OINP application

1
Determine Your Eligible OINP Stream
≈ 14 days
Review all OINP streams to find the one you qualify for. EJO streams require a valid Ontario job offer. Express Entry streams require an active EE pool profile. Check Ontario's stream-specific requirements carefully.
2
Receive NOI or Create OINP Application
≈ 90 days
For EE streams, wait for a Notification of Interest (NOI) from OINP. For EJO streams, create an account on the Ontario Immigration Portal and submit your employer-supported application.
3
Submit OINP Application
≈ 30 days
Submit your OINP application with all required documents. For EJO streams, your employer submits the job offer component. Pay the OINP application fee.
4
Receive Provincial Nomination
≈ 120 days
If approved, Ontario issues a nomination certificate. For EE-stream nominees, this triggers the 600-point CRS bonus and a guaranteed ITA from IRCC.
5
Apply to IRCC for Permanent Residence
≈ 365 days
Submit your permanent residence application to IRCC — via Express Entry (within 60 days of ITA) or the paper-based PNP stream. Pay IRCC processing fees and provide biometrics and medical exam.

See also: full requirements and what the OINP costs.

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The 5 stages of a OINP application

Determine Your Eligible OINP Stream

≈ 14 days

Review all OINP streams to find the one you qualify for. EJO streams require a valid Ontario job offer. Express Entry streams require an active EE pool profile. Check Ontario's stream-specific requirements carefully.

Receive NOI or Create OINP Application

≈ 90 days

For EE streams, wait for a Notification of Interest (NOI) from OINP. For EJO streams, create an account on the Ontario Immigration Portal and submit your employer-supported application.

Submit OINP Application

≈ 30 days

Submit your OINP application with all required documents. For EJO streams, your employer submits the job offer component. Pay the OINP application fee.

Receive Provincial Nomination

≈ 120 days

If approved, Ontario issues a nomination certificate. For EE-stream nominees, this triggers the 600-point CRS bonus and a guaranteed ITA from IRCC.

Apply to IRCC for Permanent Residence

≈ 365 days

Submit your permanent residence application to IRCC — via Express Entry (within 60 days of ITA) or the paper-based PNP stream. Pay IRCC processing fees and provide biometrics and medical exam.