
At a Glance
- The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program has closed the Masters Graduate Stream for 2019 because the stream has reached its registration limits and temporarily paused the Employer Job Offer Streams for International Students and Foreign Workers due to an influx of applications. These streams are used by foreign nationals to apply for permanent residence in Ontario.
- Since no additional registrations for these streams will be accepted until further notice, foreign nationals applying for permanent residence in Ontario have limited options until the streams reopen, which is expected to happen later in the year.
The situation
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has closed the Masters Graduate Stream for 2019 because the stream has reached its registration limits and temporarily paused the Employer Job Offer Streams for International Students and Foreign Workers due to an influx of applications. These streams are used by foreign nationals to apply for permanent residence.
Impact
- No applications accepted. Foreign nationals will not be able to apply to the Employer Job Offer Stream for International Students and the Employer Job Offer Stream for Foreign Workers until they reopen, which is expected to be later this year. Foreign nationals will not be able to apply to the Masters Graduate Stream until 2020 as it has reached its yearly registration intake limit.
- Alternative streams still open. Qualified foreign nationals can apply to the following streams which are still open in Ontario:
Background
- Increase in applications. The three closed/paused streams have seen a significant increase in applications in 2019 due to an increase in immigration levels, particularly of students, who are attracted to the flexible requirements of these programs.
- Stream closures not unusual. The closure or pausing of certain streams when a registration intake limit is reached is typical in Ontario; for example, the last time this occurred was in April 2018 for the Masters Graduate Stream.
Looking ahead
The OINP is working with the federal government to increase the nomination space for these streams this year so that they are reopened as quickly as soon as possible.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions
Senior Manager Jonathan Hill noted that stricter UKVI audits and asylum claim reviews are driving more student visa action plans.

Media mentions
Partner K. Edward Raleigh and Associate Anna I. Perina explore how changing immigration enforcement is affecting workforce planning and compliance for US employers.

Blog post
Corporate Services Manager Asfandyar Sheikh and Assistant Corporate Services Manager Ka-Ying Leung provide guidance for businesses on the legal and procedural requirements for amending their AoA in Saudi Arabia.

Blog post
Counsel Susan Steger discusses how US employers can navigate ongoing green card delays and shifting visa bulletin trends to better support foreign talent and workforce planning.

Media mentions

Awards
WirtschaftsWoche names Fragomen to its "Best Law Firms 2025" list and Partner Axel Boysen to its "Best Lawyers 2025" list in the field of migration law for private individuals.

Awards
Fragomen is ranked in Band 1 in Chambers & Partners High Net Worth Legal Guide 2025.

Media mentions
Partner Rick Lamanna discusses the potential option of decentralizing work permit issuance in Canada, emphasizing the need for clear coordination between the provincial and federal governments.

Video
Fragomen FC hosts are joined by Manager Alexander Hood to examine how immigration rules are reshaping global football, from EPL transfers to the rise of international transfers into the Women’s Super League.

Media mentions
Partner Aaron Blumberg noted that enhanced screening measures, including social media vetting, may be contributing to delays in US student visa processing.

Media mentions
Associate Ilaria Iovieno outlines how recent UK immigration reforms will impact construction employers and their ability to sponsor overseas talent.

Media mentions
Senior Manager Jonathan Hill noted that stricter UKVI audits and asylum claim reviews are driving more student visa action plans.

Media mentions
Partner K. Edward Raleigh and Associate Anna I. Perina explore how changing immigration enforcement is affecting workforce planning and compliance for US employers.

Blog post
Corporate Services Manager Asfandyar Sheikh and Assistant Corporate Services Manager Ka-Ying Leung provide guidance for businesses on the legal and procedural requirements for amending their AoA in Saudi Arabia.

Blog post
Counsel Susan Steger discusses how US employers can navigate ongoing green card delays and shifting visa bulletin trends to better support foreign talent and workforce planning.

Media mentions

Awards
WirtschaftsWoche names Fragomen to its "Best Law Firms 2025" list and Partner Axel Boysen to its "Best Lawyers 2025" list in the field of migration law for private individuals.

Awards
Fragomen is ranked in Band 1 in Chambers & Partners High Net Worth Legal Guide 2025.

Media mentions
Partner Rick Lamanna discusses the potential option of decentralizing work permit issuance in Canada, emphasizing the need for clear coordination between the provincial and federal governments.

Video
Fragomen FC hosts are joined by Manager Alexander Hood to examine how immigration rules are reshaping global football, from EPL transfers to the rise of international transfers into the Women’s Super League.

Media mentions
Partner Aaron Blumberg noted that enhanced screening measures, including social media vetting, may be contributing to delays in US student visa processing.

Media mentions
Associate Ilaria Iovieno outlines how recent UK immigration reforms will impact construction employers and their ability to sponsor overseas talent.