The Employer Job Offer Stream is an Ontario OINP pathway for people who have a job offer from an Ontario employer and want to apply for a provincial nomination. Ontario runs these as Employer Job Offer streams under the OINP Expression of Interest system.
This page matters because Ontario’s process is now employer-led and the deadlines are strict. Since July 2, 2025, applications for the approval of an employment position must be submitted through Ontario’s Employer Portal.
This guide explains what the streams are, how the portal process works, and what to watch for before you rely on this pathway.
What are the Employer Job Offer streams in Ontario?
Ontario lists three Employer Job Offer streams under the OINP Expression of Interest system:
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Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream (skilled workers with a job offer, including some physicians)
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Employer Job Offer: International Student stream (recent graduates with a job offer)
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Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills stream (workers in specific in-demand occupations with a job offer)
Ontario may target invitations by occupation or region, so “eligible” does not mean “invited quickly.”
The 2025+ process: Employer Portal → EOI → Invitation → two submissions
Ontario describes a clear sequence for Employer Job Offer streams:
Step 1: Employer submits a job offer in the Employer Portal
Your employer must register and submit a “job offer” in the Employer Portal.
This step is required even if you already work in the job.
Step 2: You register an Expression of Interest (EOI)
After the job offer is submitted, you must register your EOI within 30 calendar days. If you miss that, the job offer expires and the employer must create a new one.
Step 3: If invited, both employer and applicant submit (two deadlines)
If you receive an invitation:
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Employer deadline: apply for approval of the employment position within 14 calendar days
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Applicant deadline: submit your application within 17 calendar days
If the employer does not apply within 14 days, Ontario says the application will be withdrawn.
Who can register the employer account (common rejection risk)
Ontario is strict about who can register the employer in the portal:
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An authorized signing officer must complete employer registration.
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Employee-applicants cannot register on behalf of the employer and cannot be the signing officer or employer contact. If they do, Ontario says the account can be deactivated and related job offers/EOIs/applications can be deactivated too.
Job offer basics (example rules from In-Demand Skills stream)
Ontario’s In-Demand Skills stream spells out job offer rules that are often similar in structure across job-offer pathways:
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Full-time and permanent
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Full-time = at least 1,560 hours/year and 30 paid hours/week
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Permanent = no end date (not seasonal/contract)
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Eligible occupation
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In-Demand Skills uses specific NOC codes (many in TEER 4–5) and some are limited to locations outside the GTA.
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If you are building this page as an “umbrella guide,” link out to the official stream pages so readers can confirm the exact job-offer rules for their stream.
Employer requirements you should check early (Ontario’s list)
Ontario’s In-Demand Skills stream publishes detailed employer requirements, including:
Business must be established and compliant
Employer must:
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be in active business for at least 3 years
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have premises in Ontario where you will work
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have no outstanding orders under Ontario’s Employment Standards Act or OHSA (as Ontario lists)
Domestic recruitment expectations (especially if you are outside Canada/Ontario)
Ontario says employers must show recruitment effort in some cases, and it explicitly warns that recruitment done by an immigration representative is not considered reasonable due to conflict of interest (and applications can be refused).
Revenue thresholds (GTA vs outside GTA)
Ontario lists minimum gross annual revenue:
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$1,000,000 if you work/report to work in the GTA
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$500,000 if outside the GTA
Minimum number of employees (GTA vs outside GTA)
Ontario lists minimum full-time employees who are Canadian citizens or PRs:
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5 if you work/report to work in the GTA
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3 if outside the GTA
Ontario also explains “report to work” and how mobile workforces can be counted at the report-to-work location.
Required form update (important)
Ontario’s official OINP updates page states that as of April 10, 2024, Employer Job Offer stream applications must include the updated Application for Approval of Employment Position (Employer Form). If an older version is uploaded, Ontario says it will return the application as incomplete and refund the fee.
Fees (Ontario + federal)
Ontario application cost (job-offer streams)
Ontario’s “Applying to the OINP” page lists:
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$1,500 if the job offer is outside the GTA
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$2,000 if the job offer is within the GTA
Federal PR fees (after nomination)
After nomination, you apply to IRCC for permanent residence. IRCC fees depend on your family situation; use IRCC’s official fee list.
After nomination: who makes the final PR decision?
Ontario nominates. IRCC makes the final decision on permanent residence.
Internal guidance (Canadianow)
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If your employer is not willing or not able to use the Employer Portal correctly, this pathway can stop early.
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Do not wait for an invitation to collect documents. The submission window after invitation is short (14/17 days).
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If you are using a representative, follow Ontario’s rules. Ontario states that applications submitted by self-appointed representatives are invalid and will be withdrawn (example shown on the In-Demand Skills page).
FAQ
Is the Employer Job Offer Stream the same as Express Entry?
No. Employer Job Offer streams are under Ontario’s Expression of Interest intake, not Express Entry.
Do I apply directly, anytime I want?
No. You must register an EOI and receive an invitation to apply.
What happens if I don’t register my EOI within 30 days of the job offer?
Ontario says the job offer expires and the employer must create a new job offer for you to register successfully.
Who submits first after an invitation—employer or worker?
Employer submits the position for approval within 14 days, and the worker submits within 17 days (you can prepare, but Ontario says you can’t submit until after the employer submits).
Reality check (important)
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Having a job offer does not guarantee an invitation. Ontario issues invitations based on its priorities and program limits.
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The Employer Portal rules are strict. If the wrong person registers the employer account, Ontario says the account and related job offers/EOIs can be deactivated.
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Your nomination is not PR. IRCC makes the final decision after admissibility checks.
OINP streams overview (shows the 3 Employer Job Offer streams):
https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-immigrant-nominee-program-streams
Employer Portal guide (process + deadlines, effective July 2, 2025):
https://www.ontario.ca/page/how-use-employer-portal-ontario-immigrant-nominee-program
Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills stream (detailed job offer + employer requirements):
https://www.ontario.ca/page/oinp-employer-job-offer-demand-skills-stream
OINP Updates page (form update notice + draw announcements):
https://www.ontario.ca/page/2024-ontario-immigrant-nominee-program-updates
Ontario Regulation 422/17 (OINP regulation):
https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/170422
OINP e-Filing portal (login):
https://www.ontarioimmigration.gov.on.ca/
Updated Employer Form (Approval of Employment Position) – linked from Ontario updates:
https://forms.mgcs.gov.on.ca/en/dataset/on00732
IRCC PNP (non-Express Entry) apply:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/provincial-nominees/non-express-entry/apply.html
IRCC fees:
https://ircc.canada.ca/english/information/fees/fees.asp
IRCC processing times:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html
