Immigrating to Ontario: A Guide to the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream

Write your texIf you're a foreign worker hoping build a life in Ontario, Canada, the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) could be your pathway to permanent residence. This program is designed for skilled workers with a job offer in Ontario, as well as eligible physicians, offering a chance to live and work in one of Canada’s most vibrant provinces. Below, we break down everything you need to know about this stream, from eligibility to the application process.

What is the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream?

The Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream is a program that allows foreign workers with a job offer in a skilled occupation (classified under TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the National Occupational Classification, or NOC) to apply for permanent residency in Ontario. Whether you're already in Canada or applying from abroad, this stream provides an opportunity to settle in Ontario if you meet the program’s requirements.

Key Highlights

Open to skilled workers in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupations.
Physicians may be eligible to apply without a job offer if registered with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.
Requires registration in the OINP’s Expression of Interest (EOI) system and an invitation to apply.
Successful applicants are nominated by Ontario and must then apply for permanent residence through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Steps to Apply

1. Register an Expression of Interest (EOI)

To get started, you must:

Register in the OINP’s EOI system.
Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) based on your EOI score.

Your EOI will be evaluated based on factors like your job offer’s NOC category, wage, work permit status, language ability, and the location of the job in Ontario. Physicians applying without a job offer should contact the OINP for special instructions before registering.

2. Submit Your Application

Once you receive an ITA:

Log into your My Ontario account to begin your application.
Use your application file number (different from your EOI file number) to submit.
If using a representative, ensure they are properly appointed, as applications submitted by self-appointed representatives are invalid and will be returned with a refund of the application fee.

Job Offer Requirements

Your job offer must meet specific criteria to qualify (note: these do not apply to eligible physicians applying without a job offer):

Full-Time and Permanent: The position must involve at least 1,560 hours per year (30 hours per week) with no end date. Seasonal or contract-based jobs are ineligible.
Eligible Occupation: The job must fall under NOC TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3.
Median Wage Level: The wage must meet or exceed the median wage for the occupation in the region of Ontario where you’ll work. Use the Job Bank website to check median wages. If already working, your wage must also be equal to or higher than your current pay.
Urgent Business Need: The position must be critical to the employer’s business operations.
Work in Ontario: The job must primarily be based in Ontario.

Note: Self-employed professionals (except eligible physicians) are not eligible under this stream but may qualify under other OINP streams, such as the Express Entry Human Capital Priorities or French-Speaking Skilled Worker streams.

Applicant Requirements

To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:

EOI and ITA: You must have a valid ITA and demonstrate the qualifications claimed in your EOI.
Work Experience or Licence:
- For occupations requiring a mandatory licence in Ontario (e.g., regulated professions), you must hold a valid licence from the relevant regulatory body at the time of application.
- For other occupations, you need at least two years of cumulative paid full-time work experience (or equivalent part-time) in the same NOC code as your job offer, gained within the last five years. Work in Canada must have been legal.
Intention to Live in Ontario: Show ties to Ontario through work, study, volunteering, property ownership, or personal/professional connections.
Legal Status (if in Canada): You must have legal status (e.g., visitor record, study permit, or work permit) at the time of application and maintain it until nomination. Applicants with “maintained status” (awaiting IRCC renewal) are also eligible.

Special Note for Physicians

Physicians can apply without a job offer if they:

Are registered with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario in a category that permits patient care (Independent Practice, Academic Practice, or Postgraduate Education).
Are eligible to receive payment for publicly funded health services under the Health Insurance Act, 1990.

Employer Requirements

Your employer must also meet specific criteria (not applicable to physicians applying without a job offer):

General Requirements:
- Be in active business for at least three years.
- Have business premises in Ontario.
- Have no outstanding orders under the Ontario Employment Standards Act, 2000 or Occupational Health and Safety Act.
- Demonstrate reasonable efforts to recruit a Canadian citizen or permanent resident (if you’re outside Canada or not working in Ontario).
Revenue Requirements:
- At least $1,000,000 in gross annual revenue for businesses in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
- At least $500,000 for businesses outside the GTA.
Full-Time Employee Requirements:
- At least 5 full-time Canadian citizen or permanent resident employees for GTA locations.
- At least 3 for non-GTA locations.
Employer Form: Your employer must complete and sign an Application for Approval of an Employment Position (Employer Form), which you’ll include in your application.

Scoring Factors for EOI

Your EOI is scored based on factors like:

Job Offer NOC TEER Category: Up to 10 points for TEER 0 or 1.
Job Offer Wage: Up to 10 points for $40/hour or higher.
Work Permit Status: 10 points if you have a valid work permit.
Job Tenure: 3 points if you’ve worked in the job offer position for 6+ months in Ontario.
Language Ability: Up to 10 points for CLB 9 or higher, or knowing both official languages.
Location of Job Offer: Up to 10 points for Northern Ontario, 8 for other areas outside the GTA.

Below are the detailed scoring factors used to evaluate EOIs. Note that these scoring factors do not apply to physicians applying without a job offer.

Employment / Labour Market Factors

Job Offer: NOC TEER Category
Points are awarded based on the Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) category of the job offer’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) code:
- NOC TEER 0 or 1: 10 points
- NOC TEER 2 or 3: 8 points
- NOC TEER 4: 0 points
- NOC TEER 5: 0 points
Job Offer: NOC Broad Occupational Category
Points are assigned based on the broad occupational category of the job offer’s NOC code:
- Occupational Category 0 (Management occupations): 10 points
- Occupational Category 2 (Natural and applied sciences and related occupations): 10 points
- Occupational Category 3 (Health occupations): 10 points
- Occupational Category 7 (Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations): 7 points
- Occupational Category 1 (Business, finance, and administration occupations): 5 points
- Occupational Category 9 (Occupations in manufacturing and utilities): 5 points
- Occupational Category 4 (Occupations in education, law, and social, community, and government services): 4 points
- Occupational Category 8 (Natural resources, agriculture, and related production occupations): 4 points
- Occupational Category 5 (Occupations in art, culture, recreation, and sport): 3 points
- Occupational Category 6 (Sales and service occupations): 3 points
Job Offer: Wage
Points are awarded based on the hourly wage of the job offer:
- $40 per hour or higher: 10 points
- $35 to $39.99 per hour: 8 points
- $30 to $34.99 per hour: 7 points
- $25 to $29.99 per hour: 6 points
- $20 to $24.99 per hour: 5 points
- Less than $20 per hour: 0 points
Work Permit Status
Points are given based on whether you hold a valid work permit that confers legal status in Canada:
- With valid work permit: 10 points
- Without valid work permit: 0 points
Job Tenure with Job Offer Employer
Points are awarded if you are already working for the employer in the job offer position in Ontario:
- 6 months or more working in the job offer position: 3 points
- Less than 6 months working in the job offer position or not currently working in the position: 0 points
Canadian Work Experience: Earnings History
Points are based on earnings history in Canada, as evidenced by a Notice of Assessment issued by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) within the last five years:
- $40,000 or more earnings in a year: 3 points
- Less than $40,000 earnings in a year: 0 points

Language Factors

Official Language Ability
Points are awarded based on your proficiency in one of Canada’s official languages (English or French), measured by the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level:
- CLB 9 or higher: 10 points
- CLB 8: 6 points
- CLB 7: 4 points
- CLB 6 or lower: 0 points
Knowledge of Official Languages
Additional points are given based on whether you have proficiency in one or both official languages:
- 2 Official Languages (English and French): 10 points
- 1 Official Language (English or French): 5 points

Regionalization Factors

Regional Immigration: Location of Job Offer
Points are awarded based on the location of the job offer in Ontario, with higher points for regions with greater need for skilled workers:
- Northern Ontario: 10 points
  - Includes Census Divisions: Muskoka, Haliburton, Nipissing, Parry Sound, Manitoulin, Sudbury, Greater Sudbury/Grand Sudbury, Timiskaming, Cochrane, Algoma, Thunder Bay, Rainy River, Kenora
- Other areas outside GTA (except Northern Ontario): 8 points
  - Includes all Ontario regions except Toronto, the Greater Toronto Area, and Northern Ontario
- Inside GTA (except Toronto): 3 points
  - Includes regional municipalities of Durham, Halton, Peel, and York
- Toronto: 0 points
  - Includes the City of Toronto

Important Notes

Physicians: The scoring factors do not apply to physicians applying without a job offer, as their eligibility is based on registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario and eligibility for publicly funded health services.

What Happens if You’re Nominated?

If approved, you’ll receive:

A nomination approval letter.
A work permit support letter (if applicable).
A nomination certificate.

You must then apply to IRCC for a work permit (if needed) and permanent residence. If nominated, you’re required to:

Maintain your intention to live in Ontario.
Be employed in the approved position by the nomination date (or within 10 months if not already working).
Notify the OINP if you don’t start working within 10 months.
Continue working in the approved position with consistent terms until you receive permanent residence.

Conclusion

The Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream is a fantastic opportunity for skilled workers and physicians to build a future in Ontario. By securing a qualifying job offer and meeting the program’s requirements, you can take a significant step toward permanent residency. Be sure to carefully review the OINP guidelines and consult with the OINP for any specific questions, especially if you’re a physician applying without a job offer.

For more information, book a consultation with us to guide you through the process!