Introducing Ontario’s Regional Permanent Residency Pathway 2025
Ontario has created a new pathway for skilled workers to gain permanent resident status in the country and help boost the growth of rural and northern communities. The program called the Regional Economic Development through Immigration, or REDI pilot, comes under the OINP umbrella and is focused on supporting local economies and easing job shortages in less populated areas.
What is the REDI Pilot?
It would be carried out starting on January 2, 2025, to December 31, 2025. The pilot will attract qualified labour to come to smaller towns and communities. The REDI offers a maximum of 800 permanent residence spots in 2025.
Regions Taking Part:
If you are successful, you will receive a nomination from Ontario. This allows you to apply for permanent residency directly through Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Find out if you are eligible to get in Canada →
How Does the REDI Pilot Work?
This program works through the OINP’s Employer Job Offer streams. These streams are:
Each of the four regions listed above will get 200 extra nominations. The main goal is to bring workers into industries that need them the most, such as healthcare, technology, and skilled trades like construction. By focusing on these areas, Ontario aims to boost local economies and strengthen communities.
Who Can Apply for the REDI Pilot?
To qualify for the REDI pilot, you need to:
- Meet the rules of one of the OINP’s Employer Job Offer streams.
- Have a valid job offer from an employer located in one of the four regions.
- Plan to live in Ontario.
- Be licensed or certified to work in your job if it is regulated.
Details for Each Stream
Let’s discuss each stream in the following:
1. In-Demand Skills Stream
This stream is for workers with job offers in roles that are in high demand.
- Job Offer Requirements:
- The job must be full-time and permanent.
- It must be located in Ontario.
- The pay must meet or exceed the median wage for your job.
- The job must be essential to the employer’s business.
- Candidate Requirements:
- At least nine months of work experience in the same job within the past three years.
- A high school diploma or equivalent.
- Basic language skills, with a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of 4 or higher.
- An Education Credential Assessment (ECA) if your education was completed outside Canada.
2. Foreign Worker Stream
This stream is for skilled workers who have job offers in specific occupations.
- Job Offer Requirements:
- The job must be full-time and permanent.
- The occupation must fall under TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC).
- Wages must meet Ontario’s median wage for the job.
- Candidate Requirements:
- If your job is regulated, you must have a valid license or certification.
- At least two years of work experience in the same job within the last five years. Part-time work can also count.
3. International Student Stream
This stream is for graduates of Canadian schools who have job offers in Ontario.
- Job Offer Requirements:
- The job must be full-time and permanent.
- The occupation must fall under TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the NOC.
- Wages must meet the low-wage level for your job.
- Candidate Requirements:
- Must have graduated from an eligible program in Ontario within the past two years.
- Programs that qualify include:
- Undergraduate degrees or diplomas (minimum two years).
- Graduate degrees, diplomas, or certificates (minimum one year).
Building on Past Success
The REDI pilot builds on an earlier OINP program from 2020. That program focused on smaller regions like Chatham-Kent, Cornwall, and Belleville/Quinte West. It provided 300 nominations, which helped tackle job shortages and boost local economies.
Ontario has found that skilled immigrants bring big benefits. It’s estimated that skilled immigration could add up to $100 billion to Ontario’s economy over the next five years. Programs like REDI show how immigration can lead to economic growth.
Working with Federal Programs
The REDI pilot fits well with Canada’s national immigration programs, which also focus on helping smaller communities. These include:
- Rural Community Immigration Class: A program designed to fill job shortages in rural areas across Canada.
- Francophone Community Immigration Class: This program supports French-speaking immigrants in minority Francophone communities.
Together, these programs ensure that immigration benefits reach all parts of the country.
Why Should You Apply for the REDI Pilot?
The REDI pilot offers great benefits for both workers and communities. For workers, it provides:
- A clear and achievable path to permanent residency.
- Opportunities to live and work in welcoming rural or northern areas of Ontario.
It helps employers fill important job vacancies with skilled and talented workers, strengthening businesses and communities alike.
This program isn’t just about getting permanent residency—it’s about building a better future for individuals, families, and the entire province of Ontario.
If you’re looking for a way to settle in Ontario while making a real difference in local communities, the REDI pilot could be the perfect choice. Don’t miss this chance to participate in Ontario’s exciting plans for growth and success.
