An experimental new road was opened on January 2, 2025, to help Ontario regions that are having trouble finding workers. This trial program for Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) is run by the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). The goal of this program, which runs until December 31, 2025, is to bring up to 800 skilled workers to certain places.
The information on this page is about the new REDI program and what people who want to apply need to know. Read on to learn more.
Check More: Rural Community Immigration Pilot
Introducing the Regional Economic Development Through Immigration Program:
The Regional Economic Development through Immigration pilot program’s goal is to help four rural places in Ontario get more workers because they are short on workers.
- City of Thunder Bay
- Sarnia-Lampton
- Lanark County
- Leeds and Grenville
Through REDI, each of these areas can say yes to up to 200 applicants. All applicants who are chosen will get a recommendation from their home province. They can then apply to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent status.
The goal of this program is to help businesses that need more workers when they don’t have enough. To keep up with the rising demand, they need people with a lot of skills. There are many fields that will use REDI to hire new workers, but the program is most likely to bring in more skilled workers for trades, healthcare, and technology.
Eligibility & Requirements:
The Foreign Worker Stream, the International Student Stream, and the In-Demand Skills Stream are the three parts that will make up REDI. A worker from another country can only apply for REDI if they meet the standards for one of the streams.
You will need to have a job offer from a company in one of the four areas before you can apply for REDI. The following things must be true about the job offer:
- Permanent full-time position
- Based in Ontario
- Pays minimum wager or a higher amount
- Essential position for the business
People who want to apply for the International Student Stream or the Foreign Worker Stream must apply for a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3. To be qualified for the Foreign Worker Stream, you must have the right amount of work experience for your job. If the job calls for it, you must have a legal license. Even if you don’t need a license, you must have worked professionally for at least two years.
For the In-Demand Skills Stream, you need to make sure that the job you’re applying for is one that is eligible occupation for the program. You need to have worked in the field for at least nine months. You must also have a high school diploma and a score of 4 or higher on the Canadian Language Benchmark for language skills.
How To Apply For New Ontario Permanent Residence Pathway?
People who want to work in Canada will be asked to apply for REDI through OINP. To apply for one of the Global Talent Streams, go to the Government of Canada’s website and make sure you meet the standards. You must have a valid job offer before you start this process, and the company may need to get an LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment).
On the Government of Canada’s portal, you will be able to make an account and upload the necessary papers to send in your application. You might have to pay a handling fee that you can’t get back.
Usually, it takes the IRCC two weeks to handle Global Talent Stream applications. It might take longer, though, if there are a lot of requests or if your application is missing some papers.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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What is the New Ontario Permanent Residence Pathway?
It’s a pilot program (REDI 2025) offering up to 800 provincial nominations for skilled workers with job offers in select rural and northern Ontario regions.
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Who is eligible for this PR pathway?
Applicants need a valid full-time job offer from an employer in the designated regions, relevant experience, education, and minimum language skills.
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What benefits does this pathway provide?
It offers a faster route to Canadian PR, potential Express Entry CRS score boosts, and opportunities in high-demand sectors without requiring LMIA in many cases.