Canada: New Ontario Regional Economic Development Permanent Residence Pilot
January 22, 2025

The Ontario government has launched the Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) pilot program to target highly skilled immigration for four rural and northern regions with a high demand for skilled workers. The four regions selected are Lanark, Leeds and Grenville, Sarnia-Lambton, and Thunder Bay. The program will run until December 31, 2025. Under the program, each of these regions is allocated 200 additional nomination spots through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) – Employer Job Offer streams. The OINP is Ontario’s economic immigration program, which nominates foreign nationals for permanent residence with the needed skills and experience for the province’s economy (typically for in-demand jobs in health care, technology, and skilled trades like construction). The federal government of Canada then adjudicates the permanent residence application. Interested foreign nationals with job offers from an Ontario employer for a position in one of the pilot communities should visit the OINP website for more information and contact their immigration professional for case-specific advice.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions
Partner Jo Antoons discusses the rollout of the EU's new Entry/Exit System.

Media mentions
Fragomen is featured in The Times as a key immigration adviser highlighting Abu Dhabi’s rising demand for golden visas, especially among UK nationals seeking long-term, self-sponsored residency.

Video
Brazil Managing Partner Diana Quintas highlights Brazil’s visitor visa rules and what travelers should know.

Blog post
Senior Manager Kinka Tonchev and Paralegal Emily Whalley discuss how upcoming UK visa changes will affect skilled worker dependants and reshape tech sector mobility.

Fragomen news
Partner Marius Tollenaere provides key insights on labour migration, procedures and employer obligations in the latest edition of "Einwanderungsrecht".

Blog post
Associate Matthew Smith discusses how professionals with exceptional ability in the sciences, arts and performing arts can bypass the PERM process by leveraging Schedule A, Group II for a streamlined green card application.

Awards
Managing Partner of the United Kingdom Nadine Goldfoot is recognised as Legal 500's "Leading Partners."

Media mentions
Partner Dan Schwarz discusses how proactive immigration planning helps athletes, teams and universities navigate complex US policies.

Video
Learn how to claim Italian citizenship through ancestry. This complete guide covers eligibility requirements, benefits and the step-by-step application process.

Video
Senior Manager Corrine Tan and Assistant Business Immigration Manager Joycelyn Ang discuss Bangladesh’s work permit security clearance process.

Media mentions
Partner Bo Cooper outlines how the proposed H-1B changes could affect Big Law hiring for foreign lawyers.

Media mentions
Partner Jo Antoons discusses the rollout of the EU's new Entry/Exit System.

Media mentions
Fragomen is featured in The Times as a key immigration adviser highlighting Abu Dhabi’s rising demand for golden visas, especially among UK nationals seeking long-term, self-sponsored residency.

Video
Brazil Managing Partner Diana Quintas highlights Brazil’s visitor visa rules and what travelers should know.

Blog post
Senior Manager Kinka Tonchev and Paralegal Emily Whalley discuss how upcoming UK visa changes will affect skilled worker dependants and reshape tech sector mobility.

Fragomen news
Partner Marius Tollenaere provides key insights on labour migration, procedures and employer obligations in the latest edition of "Einwanderungsrecht".

Blog post
Associate Matthew Smith discusses how professionals with exceptional ability in the sciences, arts and performing arts can bypass the PERM process by leveraging Schedule A, Group II for a streamlined green card application.

Awards
Managing Partner of the United Kingdom Nadine Goldfoot is recognised as Legal 500's "Leading Partners."

Media mentions
Partner Dan Schwarz discusses how proactive immigration planning helps athletes, teams and universities navigate complex US policies.

Video
Learn how to claim Italian citizenship through ancestry. This complete guide covers eligibility requirements, benefits and the step-by-step application process.

Video
Senior Manager Corrine Tan and Assistant Business Immigration Manager Joycelyn Ang discuss Bangladesh’s work permit security clearance process.

Media mentions
Partner Bo Cooper outlines how the proposed H-1B changes could affect Big Law hiring for foreign lawyers.