free assessment
visas
Canadian Fedreal Skilled Points Calculator Canadian CRS Calculator for Skilled Immigration Australia PR Points Calculator for Skilled Migration Visa
visas
Callback Request
visas Quick Inquiry

Fill in the form below to receive a call back from the expert

Please enter Name
Please enter Email
Please select Country
Please select Country
ISD Code
Please enter Mobile No.

Fill in the below form to share your feedback or query

Please enter Name
Please enter Email
Please enter Mobile No.
Please type Message

Immigration News


Ontario Opens New Regional Immigration Pilot for Canadian Permanent Residency

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has introduced a new regional economic immigration pilot, the Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) pilot program, effective from January 2 to December 31, 2025. This initiative aims to attract up to 800 highly skilled immigrants to four rural and northern regions of Ontario: Lanark, Leeds and Grenville, Sarnia-Lambton, and Thunder Bay.

How the REDI Pilot Program Functions

The REDI pilot program operates within the framework of the OINP's Employer Job Offer streams. Each participating region will receive an allocation of 200 additional nominations to be issued through these streams.

  • Focus: The program targets in-demand sectors crucial for regional growth, including healthcare, technology, and skilled trades like construction.

Eligibility

To be considered under this pilot program, applicants must meet the eligibility requirements of one of the OINP's job offer streams. Crucially, the job offer must be from an employer within one of the four designated regions.

General Eligibility Criteria for all Streams:

  • Intention to reside in Ontario: Applicants must demonstrate their intent to settle in the province.
  • Licensure/Authorization: For regulated occupations, applicants must possess the necessary licenses or authorizations to practice their profession in Ontario.

Eligibility Criteria for Each Stream:

  • Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream:
    • Job Offer Requirements:
      • Full-time, permanent position.
      • TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation.
      • Wage equal to or exceeding the Ontario median wage for the occupation.
      • Based in Ontario.
      • Critical for the employer's business operations.
    • Candidate Requirements:
      • Minimum work experience (if applicable): For regulated occupations, a valid license or authorization from the appropriate Ontario regulatory body is required. For non-regulated occupations, two years of relevant work experience within the past five years is necessary.
      • Work experience can be acquired through full-time or part-time employment.
      • Job offers must be essential for the employer's business operations, aligning with existing business activities and demonstrating a critical need for the position.
  • Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream:
    • Job Offer Requirements:
      • Full-time, permanent position.
      • TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation.
      • Wage equal to or exceeding the low wage level for the occupation.
      • Based in Ontario.
      • Critical for the employer's business operations.
    • Candidate Requirements:
      • Completion of an eligible education program within two years of application from a recognized Ontario institution:
        • Undergraduate degree or diploma (minimum two years full-time)
        • Graduate degree or diploma (minimum one year full-time)
        • College graduate certificate (minimum one year full-time)
        • University graduate certificate (minimum one year full-time)
      • Wage must meet or exceed both the low wage level and the employer's current wage for the position if the candidate is already employed.
  • Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream:
    • Job Offer Requirements:
      • Full-time, permanent position.
      • For an eligible occupation (see list on the OINP website).
      • Based in Ontario.
      • Wage equal to or exceeding the Ontario median wage for the occupation.
      • Critical for the employer's business operations.
    • Candidate Requirements:
      • Nine months of relevant work experience.
      • High school diploma.
      • Language proficiency of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 or higher.
      • If education was obtained abroad, an Education Credential Assessment (ECA) is required.

Background

The REDI pilot program builds upon the success of the OINP Regional Pilot (2020), which focused on filling critical labor shortages in Chatham-Kent, Cornwall, and Belleville/Quinte West. This program allocated approximately 300 additional provincial nominations through the OINP's job offer streams to these regions.

The Importance of Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

PNPs are crucial economic immigration pathways that empower provincial governments to nominate foreign nationals for settlement within their jurisdictions. By facilitating the distribution of immigrants across Canada, PNPs address the overconcentration of newcomers in major metropolitan areas like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. This approach helps smaller communities benefit from skilled immigration by filling labor shortages and contributing to regional economic growth.

Federal Rural and Regional Immigration Pilots

The Canadian federal government has recently launched two complementary pilot programs to further promote regional and rural immigration:

  • Rural Community Immigration Class: This program aims to attract newcomers to rural and remote communities across Canada.
  • Francophone Community Immigration Class: This initiative focuses on attracting Francophone immigrants to Francophone communities outside of Quebec.

Addressing regional economic needs

The REDI pilot program represents a significant step towards addressing regional economic needs and fostering sustainable growth in Ontario. By attracting highly skilled immigrants to rural and northern regions, the program aims to revitalize local economies, fill critical labor shortages, and contribute to the overall prosperity of the province.

To know the latest Canada immigration updates and apply for immigration to Canada under the guidance of trusted and seasoned Canada migration expert, you may get in touch with us at Toll-Free No. 78-18-000-777 or you can drop us an e-mail at info@visasavenue.com.

- Rajneesh Kumar



Related Immigration News


Our Media Mentors



gal gal gal gal gal gal