As of January 1, 2024, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has introduced changes to its International Student stream, specifically targeting eligibility for permanent residency for foreign students who have completed a one-year college graduate certificate.
Under the new modifications, individuals who earned a one-year certificate from an Ontario college, resulting in an Ontario College Graduate Certificate, are now eligible for the OINP’s International Student stream. Unlike the previous criteria, where eligibility was limited to programs requiring a degree as a prerequisite for admission, this requirement has been eliminated.
This significant change expands the pool of eligible certificate programs under the OINP, offering more opportunities for international students. The Expression of Interest (EOI) scoring method has been updated to reflect this adjustment, including considerations for the highest educational degree and additional Canadian credentials. Additionally, the list of accredited educational institutions for this stream has been revised to align with the latest criteria. Applications submitted before January 1, 2024, remain unaffected by these changes.