The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has launched a new regional economic immigration initiative called the Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) pilot program. This program is set to run from January 2 to December 31, 2025, and aims to attract up to 800 highly skilled immigrants to four rural and northern regions of Ontario:
- Lanark
- Leeds and Grenville
- Sarnia-Lambton
- Thunder Bay
Successful applicants to the REDI pilot program will receive a provincial nomination from the OINP, which they can use to apply directly to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence (PR).
This article provides an overview of how the REDI pilot will operate and outlines the eligibility criteria for applicants.
How Will the REDI Pilot Program Work?
The REDI pilot program will process applications through the OINP’s Employer Job Offer streams. Each of the four targeted regions will receive an additional 200 nominations, which will be distributed through the OINP’s three job-offer streams.
The program’s focus is on addressing labor shortages in critical sectors that support local economic growth, particularly in healthcare, technology, and skilled trades, including construction.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the REDI pilot program, applicants must meet the eligibility requirements of one of the OINP’s job offer streams. A key requirement is that candidates must have a qualifying job offer from an employer in one of the identified regions.
In addition, applicants must:
- Intend to reside in Ontario.
- Be licensed or authorized to practice their occupation (if the job is in a regulated field).
Below are the specific eligibility criteria for each stream.
Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream
- Job Offer Requirements:
- Full-time and permanent position.
- TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation.
- Salary equal to or higher than the median wage for the occupation in Ontario.
- The job must be located in Ontario and critical to the employer’s business.
- Candidate Requirements:
- Must have relevant work experience or a valid license if the job is regulated.
- For regulated jobs, candidates must hold a valid license from Ontario’s regulatory authority.
- For non-regulated jobs, at least two years of work experience in the same occupation (in the last five years) is required.
Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream
- Job Offer Requirements:
- Full-time and permanent position.
- TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation.
- Pays at or above the low wage level for the occupation.
- Based in Ontario and critical to the employer’s business.
- Candidate Requirements:
- Must have completed an eligible education program in Ontario (e.g., undergraduate or graduate degree, college diploma) within the past two years.
- Candidates must apply for the nomination within two years of completing their qualifying education.
Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream
- Job Offer Requirements:
- Full-time and permanent position.
- Occupation must be on the eligible list.
- Located in Ontario and critical to the employer’s business.
- Pays at or above the median wage for the occupation in Ontario.
- Candidate Requirements:
- At least nine months of work experience in the relevant field.
- Must have a high school diploma.
- Language proficiency of CLB 4 or higher.
Candidates with foreign education must provide an Education Credential Assessment (ECA) to confirm their qualifications meet Canadian standards.
For a complete list of eligibility criteria and more details on the application process, visit the OINP’s dedicated webpage.
Background
The REDI pilot program is a continuation of the OINP’s earlier Regional Pilot, which ended in 2020. That pilot successfully allocated additional provincial nominations to the regions of Chatham-Kent, Cornwall, and Belleville/Quinte West to help fill critical labor gaps.
The REDI program reflects the OINP’s ongoing commitment to using skilled immigration to fill labor shortages and boost local economic development. It is estimated that by enabling skilled newcomers to work in their trained professions, the program could contribute up to CAD 100 billion to Ontario’s GDP over the next five years.
About the PNP
Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) allow provincial governments to nominate foreign nationals for permanent residence, helping to spread the benefits of immigration across the country. While most immigrants settle in Canada’s major cities, PNPs encourage the growth of smaller communities by attracting skilled workers to fill labor gaps and meet demographic needs.
Federal Rural and Regional Immigration Initiatives
The Canadian federal government has also introduced two new pilot programs to encourage regional and rural immigration:
- The Rural Community Immigration Class.
- The Francophone Community Immigration Class.
