UPDATE: Ontario closed applications to Masters Graduate PNP

UPDATE: Ontario opened and closed applications to the Masters Graduate stream on the same day, as registration to apply to this stream currently operates in a rush-seating format.

Registration was closed when the limit of 1,215 was met, and will be closed until further notice.

Original story published September 29 at 14:52 GMT:

Today, September 29, Ontario is opening applications to candidates who have graduated with a master's degree.

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) will be opening applications to the Masters Graduate stream. International students who graduated from an Ontario university may be eligible to apply for this Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

The OINP did not say exactly when the applications would open in the media release. However, they did say that interested applicants must access the OINP e-Filing Portal directly from the Masters Graduate stream page. Click on 'Submit an application" using a desktop computer as cell phones and tablets are not supported by the system.

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The OINP expects a significant number of users to apply, which may cause people to see a high-volume message page or be placed in a priority queue. This is not a technical error, and it is not necessary to contact the program.

The system will automatically shut down once the intake limit has been met.

Those who successfully register during the opening window will receive a confirmation email from the OINP portal within three business days, which will contain the registrant's file number. Registrants will then have 14 days to submit the application for the PNP.

It takes about two hours to complete the application, and it does not have to be done all in one go. It is possible to save work and return later.

It costs $1,500 to apply and the OINP accepts Visa and Mastercard. All supporting documents must be in English or French, scanned and ready to upload when registrants are filing out the application.

The correct format to enter a date of birth is DD/MM/YYYY. The OINP says that it is "imperative the information is entered correctly" as they do not accept complete changes to date of birth.

Who is eligible for the Masters Graduate stream?

No job offer is needed to apply for this PNP, nor is it necessary to be in Canada at the time of the application. Eligible candidates need to have completed the requirements for a master's degree from an eligible Ontario learning institution.

A few of the other basic eligibility criteria include:

English or French language skills that are at least a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 7 in all abilities;
applicants must have lived in Ontario for at least one year;
settlement funds calculated on family size and annual earnings;
intention to live in Ontario; and
other eligibility criteria.

The Masters Graduate stream is one of the programs that will be shifting to an Expression of Interest system. The process of going from a first-come-first-served application system begins with public consultation. Ontario expects the new system will be in place in 2021.

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