The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is one of Canada’s key provincial programs, which allows foreign skilled workers to receive a nomination from the province of Ontario for subsequent processing of permanent resident status. The Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream is intended for individuals who have a valid job offer from an employer in Ontario, confirmed experience in the relevant occupation, and the intention to permanently reside in this province.
Below is a detailed step-by-step description of the procedure, including requirements, necessary documents, fees, and estimated processing timelines.
Legal Requirements and Eligibility Criteria
Before beginning the submission process, a person intending to use this immigration pathway must confirm their compliance with the criteria set by Ontario law and Canadian immigration regulations. In particular, the person must:
- possess a formal job offer for permanent, full-time employment in Ontario, which corresponds to TEER levels 0, 1, 2, or 3 under the National Occupation Classification (NOC 2021);
- have at least 24 months of verified relevant work experience within the last five years in a field related to the offered position;
- have a license, certificate, or other authorization to practice a regulated profession (if required by Ontario law for that occupation);
- be willing to permanently reside and work in Ontario.
Separate requirements are established for the employer supporting the applicant: the company must operate in Ontario for at least three years, employ a minimum number of full-time staff, be financially stable, and meet established criteria regarding median wages.
Step 1: Eligibility Check
The first and key step is confirming that the candidate meets all the program criteria. The person must have a valid offer of permanent and full-time employment from an Ontario employer for a position that corresponds to TEER levels 0, 1, 2, or 3.
The candidate must prove at least two years of relevant work experience within the past five years. If the occupation is regulated in Ontario, a valid license or certificate issued by the authorized regulatory body is required.
There are also requirements for the employer — particularly regarding the minimum number of employees in the company, annual revenue volume, years of operation, absence of labour law violations, and willingness to pay at least the regional median wage for the corresponding occupation.
Applicant Requirements:
- Job type: Full-time, permanent (minimum 30 hours/week)
- NOC level: TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3
- Experience: At least 24 months of cumulative relevant experience in the past 5 years
- Education: Must match occupational requirements; foreign education must be verified through ECA
- License: Required for regulated professions (nurses, technicians, welders, electricians, drivers, etc.)
Employer Requirements:
- Operating period: At least 3 years in Ontario
- Financial capacity:
- GTA: Minimum annual revenue – CAD 1 million
- Other regions: CAD 500,000
- Number of employees:
- GTA – minimum 5 full-time employees
- Rest of province – minimum 3
- Job offer validity: Position must align with the company’s business activities
- Wage level: At or above the median wage for the region and occupation (as defined by ESDC official statistics)
Step 2: Expression of Interest (EOI) Registration
Once eligibility is confirmed, the next step is creating a profile in the EOI system on the official OINP e-Filing Portal. The candidate submits general information about their education, work experience, language skills, and other relevant factors. Based on this data, the system assigns a score according to an internal scale. If the profile earns enough points and meets selection priorities, the candidate receives an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
Factors Evaluated:
- Education
- Work experience (in Canada and abroad)
- Licensing
- Offered wage
- Region (GTA or outside GTA)
- Language skills (English, French)
- Ontario work/study history
After completing the EOI profile, a score is assigned. Candidate selections are held periodically through ITA issuance.
EOI registration is free of charge. The waiting time for an ITA depends on quotas and competition and usually ranges from 1 to 4 weeks.
Step 3: Submitting the Complete Application to OINP
After receiving an ITA, the candidate must submit a complete electronic application through the e-Filing portal. Supporting documents include: the job offer, employer form, contract, references from previous employment, diplomas, licenses (if applicable), language test results, proof of funds (if required), bank statements, etc.
Once the ITA is issued, the candidate has a limited time (up to 14 calendar days) to submit the full application and documents via the OINP e-Filing Portal.
Required Documents:
- Job offer letter
- Job description and proof of median wage
- Proof of experience (contracts, reference letters)
- Educational credentials (with ECA if foreign)
- Copy of work permit (if in Canada)
- Licenses (if applicable)
- Employer Form (completed by employer)
Fees:
- 1,500 CAD – for employers outside GTA
- 2,000 CAD – for employers within GTA
Processing Time:
90–150 days. If successful, the applicant receives a Nomination Certificate valid for 6 months, which enables them to proceed to the IRCC stage.
The application undergoes both technical and substantive review. Estimated processing time: 2 to 6 months. Upon approval, the candidate receives a Nomination Certificate, which serves as a basis for applying to the federal government of Canada.
Step 4: Application for Permanent Residence to IRCC
With the OINP Nomination Certificate, the candidate may apply for permanent residence with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The application is submitted online via the PR Tracker or GCKey portals.
The candidate must compile a document package, including:
– Nomination Certificate copy
– Medical exam results
– Police certificates from all countries where the person lived over 6 months after turning 18
– Language test results (IELTS or CELPIP)
– Personal identity and family status documents
Documents Required:
- OINP Nomination Certificate
- Passport
- Medical certificate from an approved physician
- Police certificates from countries of residence >6 months
- Language test results (IELTS/TEF)
- PR application via PR Portal or GCKey
Fees:
- Processing Fee: 850 CAD
- Right of Permanent Residence Fee: 515 CAD
- Biometrics: 85 CAD
Processing Time:
8–12 months depending on nationality, case complexity, and travel history
Step 5: Obtaining Permanent Resident Status (Landing or Virtual Landing)
Once the application is approved, the candidate receives a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). Individuals in Canada at the time of decision complete a two-stage virtual landing process (Portal 1 and Portal 2), confirming physical presence and providing a mailing address for the PR card.
- If in Canada – status is confirmed via PR Confirmation Portal (Portal 1 / Portal 2)
- If outside Canada – you will receive COPR and a PR visa in your passport
- PR card is mailed to your Canadian address within 1–3 months after landing
If the candidate is outside Canada, they must enter the country within the validity of their PR visa for physical landing. Status is formally acquired at border crossing.
The PR card is mailed to a Canadian address within 2–4 weeks after landing.
Conclusion
The OINP Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream is an effective pathway to Canadian permanent residence for foreign professionals with a specific job offer in Ontario. It combines clearly defined criteria, competitive processing timelines, and the possibility to bypass Express Entry requirements. However, the process demands high responsibility, accuracy in document preparation, and compliance with deadlines and conditions at each stage. Proper organization significantly increases the chances of successfully obtaining Canadian permanent resident status.
