Toronto, ON — Significant changes are coming to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), as the province transitions from an applicant-driven to an employer-led application process for its Employer Job Offer streams. The new system, launching July 2, will require employers to initiate applications before foreign workers or international students can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI).
Key Changes to OINP’s Employer Job Offer Streams
Previously, foreign nationals could independently start the process by submitting an EOI and requesting their employer to complete an “Application for Approval of an Employment Position.” Under the new rules:
Employers must first register job details through the OINP Employer Portal before candidates can apply.
Existing EOIs will expire—affected applicants must re-submit their profiles with employer support.
The impacted streams include:
- Foreign Worker stream
- International Student stream
- In-Demand Skills stream
Timeline of Transition
The province has outlined the following schedule for the changes:
June 20–July 2: No new EOIs accepted under affected streams.
June 21–22: All existing EOIs will be automatically withdrawn.
June 27–29: OINP’s online system will be unavailable for maintenance.
July 2: New Employer Portal opens—employers can register job positions, allowing candidates to re-submit EOIs.
New EOIs registered after July 2 will remain valid for 12 months and be eligible for future draws. Ontario has promised further details on the updated process soon.
Additional OINP Reforms Coming
The province also announced other planned changes, including:
- Enhanced inspector authority to conduct in-person interviews with applicants.
- New fraud-reporting requirements for job posting platforms.
- Review of employer access to candidate data, assessing privacy protections.
These adjustments aim to streamline immigration pathways while strengthening oversight. Candidates and employers are encouraged to monitor updates from the OINP.
Related topics:
