How long does the OINP nomination process take from application to certificate?

OINP's own processing time — from a complete application submission to issuance of a nomination certificate — varies by stream and changes over time. OINP publishes estimated processing times on its website, but these are targets and not guarantees. Wait times have ranged from a few months to well over a year depending on application volumes, stream type, and documentation completeness.

For Express Entry-linked streams, the OINP nomination certificate then triggers a 600-point CRS boost and you receive an Invitation to Apply from IRCC in the next draw. The federal permanent residence application after that typically targets six months for Express Entry applications, though actual times vary.

For a non-Express-Entry (paper-based) nomination, the federal PR process is separate from Express Entry and generally takes longer — IRCC processing timelines for these applications change regularly and should be checked directly on IRCC's website rather than relied on from memory.

Key point: OINP processing and IRCC processing are separate steps with separate timelines. Budget for both when planning. Submitting a complete, well-organized application with all required documents reduces the risk of delays from requests for more information (RFIs), which can add months to either stage.