The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) helps firms hire and retain foreign workers to fill labor shortages through the Employer Job Offer streams. To Unlock this opportunity and be eligible, employers must adhere to specific program guidelines and offer qualified foreign workers or international students a full-time, permanent job.
Employer Job Offer Streams Breakdown:
1. Foreign Worker Stream:
Employers can hire skilled foreign workers for occupations in TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC). Applicants must demonstrate relevant work experience or possess the necessary licensing or authorization to work in regulated occupations in Ontario.
2. International Student Stream:
Employers can offer positions to international students who have completed a degree, diploma, or certificate from an eligible Canadian institution within the past two years. The job offer must be for a skilled occupation in TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the NOC.
3. In-Demand Skills Stream:
Employers can hire foreign workers for in-demand occupations in TEER categories 4 or 5 of the NOC. Applicants must have relevant work experience in Ontario, equivalent to a Canadian high school diploma, and proficiency in English or French.
Steps Before Applying:
1. Ensure Compliance with Mandatory Requirements:
Employers must meet specific criteria, including:
- Employer Requirements: Active business operation for at least three years and a business location in Ontario.
- Job Offer Requirements: A full-time, permanent position offer.
2. Understand the Application Process:
Employers and applicants must follow these steps:
- Registration: Applicants create a profile in the OINP e-Filing Portal, register an expression of interest, and receive an invitation to apply.
- Application Submission: Employers complete an Application for Approval of an Employment Position (Employer Form) and provide it to the applicant. The applicant submits it within 14 calendar days of receiving the invitation.
3. Prepare Supporting Documents:
Ensure all supporting documents, in English or French, are scanned and ready for upload. Incomplete applications will be returned, and the application fee will be refunded.
Detailed Employer Requirements Under Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program:
General Business Requirements:
To qualify, your business must:
- Operate actively for at least three years before application submission.
- Have premises in Ontario where the applicant will work.
- Be free from orders under the Ontario Employment Standards Act, 2000, or the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Revenue Requirements:
Your business must meet these revenue thresholds:
| Location | Minimum Gross Annual Revenue |
| Greater Toronto Area (GTA) | $1,000,000 |
| Outside GTA | $500,000 |
Full-Time Employee Requirements:
Employers must meet these full-time employee criteria based on location:
| Location | Minimum Full-Time Employees |
| Greater Toronto Area (GTA) | 5 Canadian citizens or permanent residents |
| Outside GTA | 3 Canadian citizens or permanent residents |
Reasonable Domestic Recruitment Efforts:
Employers must demonstrate reasonable efforts to recruit Canadian citizens or permanent residents. However, this requirement is waived if the applicant already holds a valid work permit or if there is a positive Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) for the position.
To meet this requirement, employers should utilize at least two advertising or recruitment methods. For example, they might combine online job postings with local employment agencies.
- Job bank advertisements with the Government of Canada’s Job Bank.
- Print media (national or provincial/territorial newspapers, journals, magazines).
- Employment websites (Workopolis, Monster, Indeed, LinkedIn Jobs, etc.).
- Specialist websites dedicated to specific occupation profiles.
- Employer’s career website postings.
- Participation in job fairs.
Advertisements Requirements:
Advertisements must be posted for at least four weeks and include:
- Business operating name and address.
- Position title and duties.
- Skill requirements (education and/or work experience).
- Wage information.
- Work location.
- Contact information (name, address, telephone number, email address).
- Posting and closing dates (dd/mm/yyyy – dd/mm/yyyy).
Essential Job Offer Criteria Under Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program:
| Full-Time and Permanent Positions | To qualify, you must offer a full-time, permanent position. |
| Full-time Definition: | Minimum of 1,560 hours annually At least 30 hours of paid work per week |
| Permanent Definition: | Indeterminate duration (no end date) Seasonal or contract-based positions are ineligible |
| Urgent Business Necessity | The position must be crucial for your business operations. This means it should align with your current business activities and be required on a priority basis to maintain or grow your business. |
| Impact on Labor Disputes | The job offer must not affect any ongoing labor disputes. Positions that could interfere with such disputes are ineligible. |
Eligible Occupations-Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program:
Foreign Worker and International Student Streams:
You can offer jobs in any location within Ontario, as long as the position falls within TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC).
In-Demand Skills Stream:
For positions in TEER categories 4 or 5 of the NOC, the job can be located anywhere in Ontario. Eligible occupations include:
| NOC Code | Occupation |
| 44101 | Home support workers, caregivers, and related occupations |
| 75110 | Construction trades helpers and laborers |
| 75119 | Other trades helpers and laborers |
| 84120 | Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators |
| 85100 | Livestock laborers |
| 85101 | Harvesting laborers |
| 85103 | Nursery and greenhouse laborers |
| 94141 | Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers, and related workers |
| 65202 | Meat cutters and fishmongers – retail and wholesale |
Occupations Outside the Greater Toronto Area:
For positions outside the GTA (City of Toronto, Durham, Halton, York, and Peel regions), here are additional eligible occupations in TEER categories 4 or 5:
| NOC Code | Occupation |
| 44101 | Home support workers, caregivers, and related occupations |
| 75110 | Construction trades helpers and laborers |
| 75119 | Other trades helpers and laborers |
| 84120 | Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators |
| 85100 | Livestock laborers |
| 85101 | Harvesting laborers |
| 85103 | Nursery and greenhouse laborers |
| 94141 | Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers, and related workers |
| 65202 | Meat cutters and fishmongers – retail and wholesale |
Occupations Outside the Greater Toronto Area (1)
| NOC Code | Occupation |
| 14400 | Shippers and receivers |
| 14402 | Production logistics workers |
| 65320 | Dry cleaning, laundry, and related occupations |
| 74200 | Railway yard and track maintenance workers |
| 74203 | Automotive and heavy truck and equipment parts installers and servicers |
| 74204 | Utility maintenance workers |
| 74205 | Public works maintenance equipment operators and related workers |
| 75101 | Material handlers |
| 75211 | Railway and motor transport laborers |
| 75212 | Public works and maintenance laborers |
| 85102 | Aquaculture and marine harvest laborers |
| 94100 | Machine operators, mineral and metal processing |
| 94101 | Foundry workers |
| 94102 | Glass forming and finishing machine operators and glass cutters |
| 94103 | Concrete, clay, and stone forming operators |
| 94104 | Inspectors and testers, mineral and metal processing |
| 94105 | Metalworking and forging machine operators |
| 94106 | Machining tool operators |
| 94107 | Machine operators of other metal products |
| 94110 | Chemical plant machine operators |
| 94111 | Plastics processing machine operators |
| 94112 | Rubber processing machine operators and related workers |
| 94120 | Sawmill machine operators |
| 94121 | Pulp mill, papermaking, and finishing machine operators |
| 94123 | Lumber graders and other wood processing inspectors and graders |
| 94124 | Woodworking machine operators |
| 94132 | Industrial sewing machine operators |
| 94140 | Process control and machine operators, food and beverage processing |
| 94142 | Fish and seafood plant workers |
| 94143 | Testers and graders, food and beverage processing |
Occupations Outside the Greater Toronto Area (2):
| 94200 | Motor vehicle assemblers, inspectors, and testers |
| 94201 | Electronics assemblers, fabricators, inspectors, and testers |
| 94202 | Assemblers and inspectors, electrical appliance, apparatus, and equipment manufacturing |
| 94203 | Assemblers, fabricators, and inspectors, industrial electrical motors and transformers |
| 94204 | Mechanical assemblers and inspectors |
| 94205 | Machine operators and inspectors, electrical apparatus manufacturing |
| 94211 | Assemblers and inspectors of other wood products |
| 94212 | Plastic products assemblers, finishers, and inspectors |
| 94213 | Industrial painters, coaters, and metal finishing process operators |
| 94219 | Other products assemblers, finishers, and inspectors |
| 95100 | Laborers in mineral and metal processing |
| 95101 | Laborers in metal fabrication |
| 95102 | Laborers in chemical products processing and utilities |
| 95103 | Laborers in wood, pulp, and paper processing |
| 95104 | Laborers in rubber and plastic products manufacturing |
| 95106 | Laborers in food and beverage processing |
| 95107 | Laborers in fish and seafood processing |
Wage Requirements:
To qualify, your job offer must meet specific wage requirements:
Foreign Worker and In-Demand Skills Streams:
The offered wage must be equal to or higher than the median wage for that occupation in the specific Ontario region where the applicant will work. Therefore, employers need to ensure they meet this requirement by referring to the regional wage standards
If regional wage data is unavailable, use the median wage for Ontario.
International Student Stream:
The offered wage must meet or exceed the low wage level for the specific occupation in the designated region. If regional data is unavailable, refer to the Ontario low wage level.
Existing Employees:
If the applicant currently works in the position, the offered wage must match or exceed their current wage, meeting or surpassing the required wage level.
Supporting Documents for Ontario Job Offer Applications:
To apply successfully for the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), ensure you provide all required supporting documents to validate your application and meet employer eligibility criteria. All documents must be scanned and uploaded online. Refer to the document checklist for mandatory items.
Essential Checklist for Employers:
Employers must provide all required documents to the applicant. If any documents are missing, the application will be returned. The primary document is the Employer Form.
Completing the Employer Form:
The Application for Approval of an Employment Position (Employer Form) collects information about your business and confirms you meet the criteria for employer and job offers. Once signed, give the form to the applicant to scan and upload with their application. If the form is missing, the application will be returned as incomplete. You will then need to register a new expression of interest and receive an invitation to apply before submitting again.
Section A: Assistance with the Application:
Indicate if you received help completing the Employer Form and whether you wish to appoint an authorized representative. Authorized representatives can be immigration consultants or lawyers who are regulated under the Ontario Immigration Act, 2015. Representatives must be:
- A lawyer in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario
- A lawyer from another Canadian province authorized to practice law in Ontario
- A member of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council
If you choose to appoint a representative, provide their information and ensure they sign the declaration.
Section B: Employer Information:
Provide the legal structure of your business, including the date of incorporation or establishment. This verifies that your business has been active for at least three years. If your business recently moved to Ontario but was active elsewhere, you must prove it was operational for at least three years.
| Scenario | Requirement |
| Business incorporation | Date of incorporation |
| Non-incorporated business | Date of establishment |
| Recently moved business | Proof of three years of activity |
| Amalgamated business | Proof of continuous operation of at least one predecessor business |
| Purchased business | Proof of continuous operation and same business purpose |
Also, provide the business number assigned by the Canada Revenue Agency for taxation purposes.
Business Revenue
Indicate the revenue generated in the most recent fiscal year. The revenue determines eligibility:
- Minimum $1,000,000 for locations in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA)
- Minimum $500,000 for locations outside the GTA
Business Profile Information
Enter the business address where the applicant will work and the number of full-time employees at that location. Full-time employees work a minimum of 30 hours per week. Requirements include:
- At least five full-time employees for GTA locations
- At least three full-time employees for locations outside the GTA
Section C: Position Information:
Provide details of the job offer, including applicant name, occupation, NOC code, hours, and wage. Ensure the job is full-time (minimum 1,560 hours/year and 30 hours/week) and permanent (no end date). The wage must meet the required level:
- Median wage level for Foreign Worker and In-Demand Skills streams
- Low wage level for the International Student stream
Calculate hourly wage for salaried employees by deducting bonuses from the annual salary, dividing by weeks of work per year, and then by hours of work per week.
Additional Wage Requirements
For current employees, the wage offer must equal or exceed the current wage. Equity held by the applicant or their family in the business must be less than 10%.
Section D: Recruitment Summary:
Complete this section if applying under the Foreign Worker or In-Demand Skills streams without a valid work permit or positive Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Summarize efforts to recruit Canadian citizens or permanent residents, including:
- Job advertisement descriptions
- Advertisement locations and durations
- Number of applicants
- Recruitment results and interview summaries
Provide job advertisement copies to the applicant for upload. Use recruitment agencies if needed but avoid using immigration representatives for recruitment.
Post-Application Steps for Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program:
Once the online application is submitted, the applicant receives a confirmation email. They can check their application status through their OINP e-Filing Portal account. For updates, refer to the OINP Application processing times and nominations that have been issued.
Confirmation and Application Status:
After submission, you will receive an email confirming receipt of your application. You can monitor your application status through your account using the OINP e-Filing Portal. For updates on processing times, visit the OINP website.
Changes to Application Information:
If any information in your application changes, notify the OINP immediately by emailing [email protected]. The email must come from your organization’s contact, signing officer, or authorized representative. Explain the changes and provide supporting documentation if requested. Multiple submissions of the Employer Form may delay processing.
Important Note: The OINP will not accept new employer forms after your file moves to the assessment stage.
Appointing or Cancelling a Representative:
To appoint or cancel a representative after applying, submit the Appointing or Cancelling a Representative form.
Withdrawing Your Application:
To withdraw your application, click the “withdraw” button next to your file number on the main page of the OINP e-Filing Portal. Application fees are only refunded if the withdrawal occurs before processing begins.
Approval of Employment Position:
Upon Approval:
You will receive an employment position approval letter if your application is approved. The nominee will receive:
- A nomination approval letter
- A work permit support letter
- A nomination certificate
The nominee must apply for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) within six months. They can use the work permit support letter to apply for a work permit while their permanent residence application is processed. You must use IRCC’s Employer Portal and pay an employer compliance fee for this process.
Note: The work permit support letter is valid for six months. Suppose the nominee’s work permit expires, and their permanent residence application is still being processed. In that case, they can request an extension by emailing the OINP with copies of their two most recent pay slips and work permit.
Conditions of Employment Position Approval:
| Condition | Requirement |
| Employment Start Date | Date of nomination or upon obtaining work permit |
| Continuation of Employment | Until permanent residence is granted |
| Job Offer Terms | Position title, duties, wage, hours, work location |
Notify the OINP if you cannot comply with these conditions. Failure to do so may result in the cancellation of the employment position approval or nomination.
Job Offer Changes:
You can offer the nominee a promotion by notifying the OINP and submitting a revised job offer signed by both parties.
In addition, the nominee must provide their current work permit along with two recent pay slips.
The OINP will issue an updated work permit support letter reflecting the new position if needed.
Notify the OINP if you withdraw the job offer, if the nominee declines it, or if the nominee’s employment ends. The approval and nomination will be cancelled unless the nominee no longer works for you.
If the Employment Position is Not Approved:
Suppose your application is unsuccessful, you will be notified by email. If you believe there was an error in the decision, you can request an internal review.
Requesting an Internal Review:
To request an internal review:
- First, download the Notice of Request for Internal Review form. After downloading the form, proceed to complete it by following the instructions carefully.
- In a separate document, identify specific errors in the decision that, if not made, would have resulted in a different outcome.
- Email the completed form and supporting documents to [email protected]. within 30 days of receiving your refusal notice.
Note: Only include new information that is available during your original application. Oversights will not be considered.
This guide will help you find skilled international workers to fill your labor gaps. Hiring through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program strengthens your team and brings diverse perspectives to your company.
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