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REDI Pilot Program

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has introduced the new Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) pilot program. This program specifically targets labour shortages in Ontario’s rural and northern regions by attracting skilled foreign workers to live and work in these areas.

What is the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program?

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) works in collaboration with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to offer immigration pathways as part of Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program. The OINP helps provinces meet local labour needs and addresses shortages in less populated communities by encouraging immigration to Canadian cities outside of the country’s popular metropolitan areas.

In addition to the REDI pilot, the Canadian federal government has launched other programs, such as the Rural Community Immigration Class and the Francophone Community Immigration Class, which also encourage foreign nationals to settle in rural and regional areas.

The REDI pilot program opened on January 2, 2025, and will run until December 31, 2025. The program specifically targets four key communities (pilot communities) in Ontario:

  • Sarnia-Lambton
  • Thunder Bay
  • Lanark County
  • Leeds and Grenville Counties

REDI Pilot Program & Eligibility

The goal of the REDI pilot program is to attract skilled workers to Ontario’s regional communities, as listed above, to help fill labour gaps and contribute to the economic success of these areas.

According to the OINP website, to be eligible for the REDI pilot program, potential applicants must meet the following requirements in respect to one of the three OINP Employer Job Offer indicated below. It is important to note that for all the streams below, the job offer must be based in Ontario.

1.Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream

The OINP Foreign Worker stream targets skilled foreign workers with a valid, full-time, permanent job offer from an Ontario employer.

The job position must:

  • Be a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupations.
  • Have a wage equal to or more than the province’s median for the same position.
  • Be essential to the employer’s business.

2.Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream

The OINP International Students stream targets foreign nationals who have graduated from a Canadian educational institution (studied full time) and have a full-time and permanent job offer from an employer in Ontario.

The job position must:

  • Be a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation.
  • Meet or exceed the min. wage level for the same role in Ontario.
  • Be essential to the employer’s business.

3.Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream 

The OINP In-Demand Skills stream is for foreign nationals who have work experience in occupations that are in high demand in Ontario. Candidates must have gained their work experience within Ontario and hold a valid job offer from an Ontario employer. Candidates must also have at least nine months of relevant work experience, a minimum education of a high school diploma, and a language proficiency of CLB 4 or higher.

The job position must:

  • Be a full-time, permanent position in an eligible occupation.
  • Meet or exceed the median wage for the role in Ontario.
  • Be crucial to the employer’s business.

Note: It is important to note that OINP requires applicants to submit specific documentation and meet additional requirements under each Employer Job Offer stream. A comprehensive list of these requirements can be found on the OINP website.

How to Apply

At a time when many immigration programs across Canada are facing caps, restrictions, or temporary pauses, the REDI program offers a path to Canadian permanent residency for skilled workers who demonstrate their ability to contribute to the economic growth of Ontario’s less populated regions.

Candidates who want to apply for the REDI pilot program can submit their applications through the standard OINP Expression of Interest (EOI) system, where they will be considered during the regular selection process.

If you meet the eligibility criteria for the REDI pilot program, or if you are unsure whether you qualify under one of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) Employer Job Offer streams, we encourage you to reach out to us . Our team will assess your eligibility and guide you through the complexities of the application process ensuring clarity and confidence. Contact us to take advantage of this immigration opportunity and to begin your application process today.

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