Is the OINP process one step or two steps?

The OINP nomination process is always a two-stage process: provincial nomination followed by a federal permanent residence application. These stages are separate, handled by different governments, and have distinct requirements and timelines.

Stage one is the OINP application. This is submitted to and assessed by the Government of Ontario. OINP reviews whether you meet the eligibility criteria for the stream you applied to and, if so, issues a provincial nomination certificate.

Stage two is the IRCC permanent residence application. This is submitted to the federal government. Immigration in Canada is a federal responsibility — Ontario's nomination endorses you but does not grant PR. IRCC conducts its own review, including identity verification, medical examinations, criminal background checks, and assessment of all family members included in the application.

For Express Entry-linked nominations, the two stages are connected electronically — Ontario's nomination is reflected in your federal profile, and the ITA and federal application follow through the Express Entry portal. For base streams, the two stages are more independent and the federal application is paper-based.

Approval at stage one does not guarantee approval at stage two. Federal inadmissibility grounds are assessed independently by IRCC and can override an Ontario nomination.