Last Updated:March 4, 2025
What is a PhD Graduate Stream?
This stream gives international graduates with an Ontario PhD degree the opportunity to apply to permanently live and work in Ontario.
The eligible Graduate Schools in Ontario
The list of eligible Graduate Schools for the PhD Graduate Stream
01
Brock University
02
Carleton University
03
Lakehead University
04
Laurentian University
05
McMaster University
06
Nipissing University
07
Queen’s University
08
Royal Military College of Canada
09
Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University)
10
Trent University
11
University of Guelph
12
University of Ontario Institute of Technology
13
University of Ottawa
14
University of Toronto
15
University of Waterloo
16
University of Windsor
17
Western University
18
Wilfrid Laurier University
19
York University
Eligibility requirements for the PhD Graduate Stream
Educational Background
- You must have completed the requirements necessary to obtain a PhD degree. The degree must be from an eligible university in Ontario.
- At least two years of your PhD studies must have been completed while legally living and studying in Ontario.
- You don’t qualify if you have received a bursary, grant or scholarship that requires you return to your home country after you earn your PhD degree. You may only apply after you have fulfilled those commitments and can demonstrate an intention to live in Ontario.
- You must submit your application within two years of completing the requirements necessary to obtain your PhD degree.
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 lived in Ontario for at least one year within the two years prior to applying.
- If you are applying from within Canada, you must have legal status (a visitor record, study permit, or work permit) at the time you apply and should maintain that status until the time of nomination.
Note that your one year of residency can be cumulative. This means that there can be gaps provided that all the periods of residency in Ontario add up to 12 months within the past two years before 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 PhD Graduate Stream
01Once the minimum requirements are met, register on the OINP e-Filing Portal.
Applicants who meet the eligibility requirements for the PhD 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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