Ontario holds the first OINP Entrepreneur stream draw in 2021

Ontario, one of the provinces part of the Canadian Provincial Nominee Program [PNP], has specifically invited entrepreneurs in the latest draw to be held.

On July 7, 2021, a total of 21 invitations were issued by Ontario PNP – officially, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program [OINP] – through the OINP’s Entrepreneur Stream.

This is the first OINP Entrepreneur stream draw to be held in 2021.

Invitations issued by the OINP under the Entrepreneur Stream are also referred to as Invitations to Apply [ITAs].

The Entrepreneur stream of the OINP is for entrepreneurs from outside Canada looking to –

• set-up a new business in Ontario, or
• buying an existing business in Ontario.

An Overview of the July 7 OINP draw
Category / Stream	ITAs issued	Minimum EOI score range
Entrepreneur Stream	21	146 to 200

Here, by the “EOI score” is implied the score allotted following successful registration with the OINP.

EOIs received and scored by the OINP by June 29, 2021 were eligible for the latest Ontario PNP round of invitations.

An OINP EOI remains eligible for receiving an ITA for up to 12 months from the date that it was submitted to Ontario PNP.

Previously, on July 2, 2021, Ontario PNP implemented regulatory amendments impacting the OINP: Entrepreneur stream. The update to the Entrepreneur stream had been done with the aim of – ·       accelerating the arrival of entrepreneurs in Ontario for beginning business operations within the province through establishing a permanent ‘virtual’ interview process, and ·       reducing the application monitoring frequency, thereby reducing the burden on applicants as they work towards establishing and growing their business in Ontario.

With the streamlining of the program information, Ontario PNP seeks to ensure that applicants have the information that their require for submitting “high quality expressions of interest and applications to the stream”.

The interview and application monitoring requirements have been updated by the OINP as well.

The updated application guide as well as the new interview and application monitoring requirements of the OINP: Entrepreneur stream will be applicable to individuals that submit their EOIs – or receive an ITA – to the Entrepreneur stream after July 1, 2021.

Basic step-wise process for OINP: Entrepreneur stream

STEP 1: Registration of an Expression of Interest [EOI] with Ontario PNP

STEP 2: Receiving an Invitation to Apply [ITA] from the OINP.

STEP 3: Submission of an online application – within 90 days of receiving the ITA from the OINP – through the OINP e-Filing Portal.

STEP 4: The applicant will be required to hire a qualified vendor for reviewing the applicant’s personal net worth for supporting the claim that their net worth was verifiable as well as obtained lawfully.

An OINP file number will be required before the applicant can engage a qualified vendor.

The verification report by the qualified vendor is used as part of the OINP application assessment process.

STEP 5: Following the OINP assessment, the applicant will be notified via email whether their application was complete.

If complete and meeting the program criteria, the applicant – as well as their business partner, if applicable – would be required to attend an interview through videoconferencing.

STEP 6: If the Stage 1 application [including the interview] is successful, the applicant would be asked to enter into a Performance Agreement with the Ontario government.

STEP 7: After signing the Performance Agreement, a Letter of Confirmation to be issued by the OINP.

With this, the applicant and their business partner [if applicable] can then apply for a Canadian temporary work permit with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada [IRCC].

STEP 8: Establishing business in Ontario. To arrive in Ontario, with a valid temporary work permit for Canada, within 12 months from receiving the Letter of Confirmation.

STEP 9: After arriving in Ontario, the applicant will have 20 months for implementing their business in Ontario and meeting all commitments under the Performance Agreement.

STEP 10: Submission of Final Report between 18 to 20 months after arriving in Ontario.

STEP 11: Get OINP nomination for permanent residence in Canada. Must be physically living within Ontario for 75% of the time during which the applicant was establishing their business in Ontario.

The applicant must also be actively involved in the day-to-day management activities of their business in Ontario.

STEP 12: If approved, an OINP Certificate of Nomination and a Letter of Nomination issued to the applicant.

STEP 13: Applying, within the next 6 months, to IRCC for Canada PR. The Letter of Nomination and the OINP Certificate of Nomination will have to be included in the application for Canadian permanent residence.

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