Last Updated:March 4, 2025
Master Graduate Stream
This stream gives international graduates with an Ontario master’s degree the opportunity to apply to permanently live and work in Ontario.
The eligible universities in Ontario
The list of eligible Ontario universities
01
Algoma University
02
Brock University
03
Carleton University
04
Lakehead University
05
Laurentian University
06
McMaster University
07
Nipissing University
08
Ontario College of Art and Design University
09
Queen’s University
10
Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University)
11
Trent University
12
Université de l’Ontario français
13
University of Guelph
14
Université de Hearst
15
University of Ontario Institute of Technology
16
University of Ottawa
17
University of Sudbury
18
University of Toronto
19
University of Waterloo
20
University of Windsor
21
Western University
22
Wilfrid Laurier University
23
York University
Eligibility requirements for the Master’s Graduate Stream
Educational background
- You must have at least one academic year of full-time study (that is at least 15 hours of instruction per week over the academic year including any period of training in the workplace as part of your studies. Part-time studies may qualify, if the program is equivalent to at least one full-time academic year).
- You do not qualify if you have received a bursary, grant or scholarship that requires you to return to your home country after you earn your master’s degree.
- You must submit your application within two years of completing the requirements necessary to obtain your master’s degree.
Language proficiency
The applicant must have achieved a CLB 7 or higher on an approved English or French language test, taken within two years of their application.
| Test | Language | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB7 | IELTS | English | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| CELPIP | English | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | |
| TEF Tests taken on or after December 11, 2023 |
French | 434-461 | 428-471 | 434-461 | 456-493 | |
| TEF Tests taken between October 1, 2019, and December 10, 2023 |
French | 450-499 | 450-499 | 450-499 | 450-499 | |
| TCF | French | 453-498 | 10-11 | 458-502 | 10-11 |
Job offer
- Not required
Settlement funds
You must have enough money to support yourself and your dependent family members when you settle in Canada. However, this requirement is waived if you have a valid job offer and are legally authorized to work.
| Number of family members | Required funds |
|---|---|
| 1 | $13,757 |
| 2 | $17,127 |
| 3 | $21,055 |
| 4 | $25,564 |
| 5 | $28,994 |
| 6 | $32,700 |
| 7 | $36,407 |
| For families of 7 or more | An additional $3,706 is required for each extra family member. |
Residency in Ontario
- You must have legally lived in Ontario for at least one year in the past two years before you apply.
- At the time you apply, you must be living in Ontario with legal status (study permit, work permit, visitor record) or living outside Canada.
Caution
- You don’t qualify if you’re living in a province or territory in Canada other than Ontario at the time you apply.
Intention to live in Ontario
You must intend to live in Ontario after you have been granted permanent residence.
Application process for the Master’s Graduate Stream
01Once the minimum requirements are met, register on the OINP e-Filing Portal.
Applicants who meet the eligibility requirements for the Master Graduate Stream under OINP must register their profile on the OINP e-Filing Portal. Once the profile is registered, a score out of 200 points will be calculated based on the information provided. The applicant will then be placed in the pool of candidates for selection.
02Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
An Invitation to Apply (ITA) grants you the right to submit your application for the Ontario Immigration Nominee Program (OINP). Only after receiving an ITA, you can proceed to submit your application to the Ontario provincial government. The OINP conducts regular draws, known as “drawings,” where candidates in the pool are selected based on their scores, with higher-ranking candidates receiving ITAs first. If you do not receive an ITA, you will remain in the selection pool for up to one year.
03Apply online for the Ontario Immigration Nominee Program (OINP)
Once an Expression of Interest (EOI) is received, both the applicant and the employer must complete and submit the online application to the OINP processing office within 30 days. This step is crucial to move forward in the nomination process.
04Receiving a Nomination Certificate
Once the review at the OINP processing office is complete, the applicant will receive the results. Passing the review is referred to as being nominated.
05Apply for permanent residence to IRCC
After being nominated, the applicant must submit their permanent residence application online to IRCC within six months.
06Review by IRCC
After the review is completed by IRCC, the applicant will receive a letter called the Confirmation of Permanent Resident (CoPR).
07Landing
Applicants from outside Canada will enter Canada with their Confirmation of Permanent Resident (CoPR). Applicants from within Canada can complete the landing process online.
08Receive your Permanent Resident (PR) card
Your PR card will be delivered to the designated address within Canada within a few months.
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