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Ontario Immigrant Nominee Programme (OINP) Employer Portal Introduces New Application Process for Workforce Priority Str

🇨🇦 CanadaEmployer Sponsorship2 recorded versionsLast change 30 Aug 2026
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Current rules

Employers must use the OINP Employer Portal for all applications for approval of employment positions under the Ontario Workforce Priority stream. This process involves the employer submitting a job offer, the employee registering an Expression of Interest (EOI) within 30 calendar days, and if invited, the employer submitting an application for approval of an employment position within 14 calendar days, and the employee submitting their application within 17 calendar days (including three additional days for payment and submission after the employer's application).

Overview

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Programme (OINP) has launched a dedicated Employer Portal for the Workforce Priority stream, necessitating that all applications for employment position approval be submitted electronically.

Who is affected by the latest change

  • Ontario employers who support foreign workers through the Workforce Priority Stream
  • Skilled foreign workers applying through the stream with an Ontario job offer
  • Employers who need to get approval for a job position
  • Workers whose Expression of Interest (EOI) relies on a job offer sent by an employer
  • Employers and workers who receive an invitation to apply under the stream

What changed in the latest version

Before

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Programme (OINP) already used the Employer Portal for programmes that needed employer support. Ontario's old Employer Job Offer process also made employers send job offers through the portal. After an invitation, they had to send an application to approve the job position. So, the Employer Portal itself is not completely new. The big change is how it works with the new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream. It also changes the order of events: the employer sends the job offer, then the worker sends an Expression of Interest (EOI), then the applications.

After

Employers must use the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Programme (OINP) Employer Portal for all applications. These applications are for approval of job positions under the Ontario Workforce Priority stream. This process works like this: 1. The employer sends a job offer. 2. The employee registers an Expression of Interest (EOI) within 30 calendar days. 3. If invited, the employer sends an application for approval of a job position within 14 calendar days. 4. The employee sends their application within 17 calendar days. This includes three extra days for payment and sending the application after the employer's application.

This change in process means employers and future immigrants must follow strict new deadlines. They must also use a completely online system for the Ontario Workforce Priority stream. If an employer does not send their application within 14 days of an invitation, the employee's application will be withdrawn. The process will then need to start again with a new job offer. Also, only an authorised signing officer with legal power can register the employer. Administrative staff or the nominated employee cannot do this important step. This change makes managing applications more central. But it also brings in specific time limits and makes the roles in sending applications more formal. Everyone must follow these rules carefully to avoid application refusal or delays.

Explained simply

Imagine you want to get a job in Ontario, Canada, through a special programme. Now, your boss can't just send a letter anymore. They have to use a special website, like an online form, called the Employer Portal, to say they want to hire you for this programme. They have to sign up with their business details, and it's like setting up an online profile for their company. Once they put your job offer on the website, you then have about a month to say 'yes, I'm interested' on your own online form. If you get picked, your boss has two weeks to send in their part of the application, and you have a bit longer, about two and a half weeks, to send in yours and pay any fees. If you or your boss miss these timings, you'll have to start all over again, so everyone needs to be super quick!

Frequently asked

Version history

  1. v1Effective 4 Aug 2026EffectiveHigh impact
    Ontario Immigrant Nominee Programme (OINP) Employer Portal Introduces New Application Process for Workforce Priority Stream

    Ontario has created a mandatory Employer Portal for all applications. This portal handles approval of job positions for its Immigrant Nominee Programme's (OINP) Ontario Workforce Priority stream. Employers must now send job offers online. After an employer sends a job offer, employees have 30 calendar days to register an Expression of Interest (EOI). If they receive an invitation to apply, employers must send their application for job position approval within 14 calendar days. Employees then have a total of 17 calendar days from the invitation date to send their own application, including payment. This new online system affects both employers and foreign nationals using this immigration path in Ontario, Canada.

  2. v2Effective 5 Oct 2026EffectiveHigh impact
    Ontario Immigrant Nominee Programme Redesigned with New 'Workforce Priority' Stream and Closure of Eight Previous Streams

    Follows v1 · Ontario Immigrant Nominee Programme (OINP) Employer Portal Introduces New Application Process for Workforce Priority Stream

    The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) updated the Canadian work experience: earnings history scoring factor for its Ontario Workforce Priority (OWP) stream Expression of Interest (EOI) system on 5 October 2026. Registrants who have earned $80,000 or more in a single year within the past five years, as verified by a Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Notice of Assessment, will now receive 10 points under this scoring factor. This modification applies automatically to all existing EOIs in the system, meaning current registrants do not need to take any action.

Timeline

  1. Announced

    26 Jun 2026

    The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Programme (OINP) has implemented a major redesign, with regulatory changes coming into force on 25 June 2026. This initial phase sees the introduction of a new 'Ontario Workforce Priority' stream, designed to streamline pathways to permanent residence for individuals with arranged employment in Ontario, including self-employed physicians. This new stream replaces eigh

  2. Takes effect

    25 Jun 2026

    The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has been redesigned, removing the existing eight streams and introducing a single 'Ontario Workforce Priority stream'. This new stream includes pathways for individuals with job offers across all National Occupational Classification (NOC) Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) categories, and for self-employed physicians. New progra

Other routes in this country

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