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ONMove to Ontario
Jobs, cost of living, OINP immigration program, healthcare, and everything you need to settle in Ontario in 2026.
Updated: November 2026
About Ontario
Ontario is Canada's most populous province and economic powerhouse. Home to Toronto — the country's financial capital and largest tech hub — and Ottawa, the national capital. Ontario attracts more immigrants than any other province, with over 50% of all newcomers choosing to settle here. The province offers the widest range of job opportunities, world-class universities, and the most diverse communities in Canada.
Why Move to Ontario?
Ontario dominates the Canadian economy, generating roughly 40% of national GDP. Toronto's financial district is the second-largest in North America after New York. The province houses Canada's largest tech ecosystem (Toronto-Waterloo corridor), with major offices from Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Shopify, and hundreds of startups. Ottawa is the government and tech hub, while Hamilton and London are growing secondary cities with lower costs. Ontario also has the highest concentration of hospitals, research institutions, and universities in Canada.
Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
The OINP is one of the most competitive PNP programs in Canada. Key streams include: Human Capital Priorities (linked to Express Entry — no job offer needed), Employer Job Offer streams (foreign worker, international student, in-demand skills), Masters Graduate stream, and PhD Graduate stream. OINP Human Capital Priorities invites Express Entry candidates based on occupation, CRS score, and labour market needs. A PNP nomination adds 600 CRS points, virtually guaranteeing an ITA.
- •Human Capital Priorities: Express Entry-linked, no job offer needed
- •Employer Job Offer – Foreign Worker: requires job offer in NOC TEER 0-3
- •Employer Job Offer – International Student: for graduates of Ontario institutions
- •Masters Graduate: for graduates of Ontario master's programs
- •PhD Graduate: for graduates of Ontario PhD programs
- •In-Demand Skills: for workers in agriculture, construction, and trucking (NOC TEER 4-5)
- •Entrepreneur Stream: for business owners investing in Ontario
Job Market and In-Demand Occupations
Ontario's job market is the largest and most diverse in Canada. The Toronto-Waterloo tech corridor employs over 300,000 tech workers. Healthcare is the largest employer overall, with critical shortages in nursing, personal support workers, and medical technologists. Key in-demand occupations include: software developers, data engineers, registered nurses, financial analysts, accountants, mechanical engineers, truck drivers, electricians, and project managers. Average salaries range from $55,000-$120,000 depending on the role.
Cost of Living in Ontario
Ontario's cost of living varies dramatically by city. Toronto is the most expensive city in Canada — average 1-bedroom rent is $2,200-$2,600/month. Ottawa is moderately expensive at $1,800-$2,100. Secondary cities like London ($1,400), Hamilton ($1,500), Kitchener-Waterloo ($1,600), and Windsor ($1,300) offer significant savings. Groceries cost approximately $350-$500/month for a single person. Public transit monthly passes range from $100-$160. Overall, expect to spend $2,500-$4,500/month as a single person depending on city.
Education and Healthcare
Ontario has Canada's highest concentration of post-secondary institutions, including the University of Toronto, University of Waterloo, McMaster, Queen's, and Western. Public K-12 education is free for PR children. Healthcare is covered by OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan) — there is a 3-month waiting period for new residents (buy private insurance during this period). OHIP covers doctor visits, hospital stays, and most medical procedures. Dental and prescription drugs are not covered for adults.
Climate and Lifestyle
Ontario experiences four distinct seasons. Summers are warm and humid (25-35°C), while winters are cold with significant snowfall (-5 to -20°C in most cities). Ottawa is the coldest major city. Toronto has a milder climate moderated by Lake Ontario. Ontario offers diverse outdoor recreation: cottage country (Muskoka, Algonquin Park), Niagara Falls, Great Lakes beaches, and extensive trail systems. Urban life in Toronto offers world-class dining, arts, sports (Raptors, Maple Leafs, Blue Jays), and cultural festivals.
Top Cities in Ontario
Top Industries in Ontario
Immigration: OINP
Ontario operates the OINP program, which provides nomination for permanent residence. A PNP nomination adds 600 CRS points to your Express Entry profile, virtually guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply (ITA). The OINP has multiple streams targeting different applicant profiles including skilled workers, international graduates, and entrepreneurs.
Healthcare in Ontario
New residents must wait 3 months before OHIP coverage begins. Purchase private health insurance during this period (approximately $100-$200/month). Once active, coverage includes doctor visits, hospital stays, and most medical procedures.
- ✓ Doctor visits and specialist referrals
- ✓ Hospital stays and surgery
- ✓ Medical tests and diagnostics
- ✗ Dental care (adults)
- ✗ Prescription drugs (some provinces vary)
- ✗ Vision care (adults)