{"id":159284,"date":"2018-04-08T06:31:17","date_gmt":"2018-04-08T10:31:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/?p=159284"},"modified":"2018-04-08T06:37:57","modified_gmt":"2018-04-08T10:37:57","slug":"ontario-reopens-masters-graduate-stream","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/2018\/04\/08\/ontario-reopens-masters-graduate-stream\/","title":{"rendered":"Ontario reopens Masters Graduate Stream"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"The<\/a>
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) announced the opening in an update published on the morning of April 5. The stream then closed less than an hour later. (Pixabay photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ontario\u2019s Masters Graduate Stream opened briefly to new applications from international graduates on April 5.<\/p>\n

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) announced the opening in an update published on the morning of April 5. The stream then closed less than an hour later.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Masters Graduate Stream<\/a>\u00a0is one of two immigration programs offered under the\u00a0OINP\u2019s International Student Category<\/a>. The other stream is open to PhD graduates who have completed a degree from an eligible Ontario academic institution.<\/p>\n

This is a rare occasion where the OINP has opened the Masters Graduate Stream independent of the PhD Graduate Stream.<\/p>\n

An interesting feature of the Masters\u00a0Graduate Stream is that\u00a0no job offer\u00a0is required to apply. This stream is designed to help retain\u00a0international graduates who studied in the province.<\/p>\n

Intake limits through this first-come, first-served stream are often reached quickly. Ontario did not reveal how many applications it is accepting in this intake period.<\/p>\n

The Masters Graduate Stream has already opened once in 2018, on January 29, and reached its intake limit within hours of opening.<\/p>\n

The OINP said it expects to reopen the Masters Graduate Stream periodically this year until Ontario\u2019s 2018 provincial nomination allocation is fulfilled.<\/p>\n

Ontario is expected nominate 6,600 people through its various immigration streams this year. The province\u00a0is a popular study destination for international students, particularly students looking to pursue higher education.<\/p>\n

A provincial nomination issued by to Masters Graduate Stream applicants is considered a\u00a0\u2018base\u2019 provincial nomination certificate<\/a>. With a provincial nomination certificate, applicants may be in the position to submit an application for permanent residence to the federal government.<\/p>\n

A base stream is not aligned with the federal\u00a0Express Entry<\/a>\u00a0system but provides interested individuals a pathway to Canadian permanent residence.<\/p>\n

The OINP recommends that applicants review the program application guides before applying in case of criteria changes following the coming into effect of the Ontario Immigration Act on January 1, 2018.<\/p>\n

Eligibility\u00a0requirements<\/p>\n