Navigating the New OINP Employer Portal: Key Details Employers Need to Know

With the launch of the new OINP Employer Portal on July 2, 2025, employers are now required to submit job offers before candidates, referred to as employee-applicants, can register an Expression of Interest (EOI). This shift increases employer responsibility and changes how applications are initiated and managed across several immigration streams.

The new portal supports the following Employer Job Offer streams:

• Foreign Worker stream

• International Student stream

• In-Demand Skills stream

Employers must now access the OINP Employer Portal to create job offers tied to these streams. Once submitted, employee-applicants have 30 days to register their EOI and begin the application process.

Other OINP Streams

While the Employer Portal handles Employer Job Offer streams, the OINP also operates streams through the federal Express Entry system, including: French-Speaking Skilled Worker stream, Human Capital Priorities stream and Skilled Trades stream. Applicants to these streams must create an Express Entry profile and receive a Notification of Interest (NOI) from Ontario to apply.

For graduate-focused pathways like the Masters Graduate and PhD Graduate streams, applicants must access the OINP e-filing portal directly to create a profile and register their expression of interest (EOI).

New Process: Employer-Led Submission

Under the new system, employers must:

• Register via My Ontario and create an account through single sign-on

• Submit a job offer through the portal before the candidate can begin their application

• Manage timelines closely: the candidate has 30 days to register their EOI once the job offer is submitted

This reverses the old applicant-led model and places the first step entirely in the employer’s hands.

Enhanced Portal Features

The new portal introduces several user-focused upgrades:

• Secure document upload managed by employers (candidates no longer submit these files)

• Pre-filled employer and job fields to streamline application completion

• In-portal tracking tools: job offer and application statuses can be monitored in real time

• Built-in messaging and system-generated reminders for deadlines

These features are designed to reduce administrative back-and-forth and improve transparency in processing.

Employer Account and Contact Setup

Before submitting any job offer, make sure your business profile is accurate and complete.

Information to prepare:

• Full legal name of the signing officer

• Job title, business email, and direct phone number

• CRA business number and legal structure

• Business location, indicating whether it falls within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA)

Accuracy here is essential as mistakes may delay or prevent registration.

Job Offer Submission: High-Stakes Precision

The job offer, once submitted, cannot be edited. If you need to make a correction, you must withdraw and start again.

Pay close attention to:

• Employee name and email (as shown on ID; personal email only)

• Job title and NOC code (use the correct 5-digit code from the NOC 2021 version)

• Wage: must meet required levels for the specific stream and region

  • Foreign Worker/In-Demand Skills: median wage

  • International Student: low wage

• Position type: must be full-time (≥30 hrs/week) and permanent

• Work address: exact and complete, including unit number if applicable

Use the federal Job Bank to verify your region’s current wage thresholds.

Assigning Portal Roles

Only individuals listed as employer contacts can access or edit submissions. Representatives (such as consultants) can be appointed, but cannot modify the employee’s name, job title, or email.

Be strategic in assigning:

• Employer contacts (via “Manage Employer Contact”)

• Authorized representatives (separately through the portal)

Role assignment affects who can see and act on each submission.

Employment Position Application: Justify the Role

If your candidate is selected from the EOI pool, you have 14 calendar days to submit the Employment Position application.

What Employers Must Know

Before submitting the employment position aplication, make sure the employer meets the requirements under the Employer Job Offer streams, employers must meet specific eligibility criteria, including minimum gross annual revenue requirements based on the job location:

• $1,000,000 if the employee-applicant will work or report to work in the Greater Toronto Area (Toronto, Durham, Halton, York, Peel)

• $500,000 if the job location is outside the Greater Toronto Area

In addition, employers must:

• Have been actively operating in Ontario for at least three years

• Have at least five full-time Canadian or permanent resident employees (GTA) or three (outside GTA)

• Provide a full-time, permanent job offer that meets wage and NOC criteria

• Be in good standing with provincial employment and labor laws

Required inputs include:

• Company revenue, structure, number of Canadian/permanent resident employees

• Collective agreements, licensing needs, and recruitment history

• Description of job duties and explanation of business need

• Disclosure of any equity (≥10%) owned by the candidate or their family

• Special requirements for occupation NOC 73300 (truck drivers): CVOR certificate and safety rating

Be specific because generic justifications reduce credibility and success rates.

Regulated Occupations and Licensing

For regulated professions, employers must confirm that the employee-applicant holds the required license, registration, or certification to perform the job in Ontario.

Supporting Documents: Quality and Completeness

Typical required files:

• CRA documents (T4 Summary, tax filings)

• Proof of business location (lease or title)

• Proof of wage (pay stubs, contract)

• Signed declarations from employer and representative

Use the official OINP Employer Checklist as a guide.

Timeframes and Validity Periods

• Job Offer IDs are valid for 30 days

• Employment Position applications must be submitted within 14 calendar days of invitation

• Candidate nomination applications must be submitted within 17 calendar days of your submission

Missed deadlines mean restarting the process entirely.

Compliance and Integrity Measures

The OINP has introduced new checks to prevent misuse:

• Interview requests may be issued for employers or candidates

• Applications may be returned with a full refund if deemed low priority or incomplete

• On-site verification or document requests may occur during the assessment

Employers must be ready to demonstrate the authenticity of the job and business.

Final Reminders

• Consistency is critical: names, NOC codes, and job details must match across all forms

• Only one user can edit a draft job offer at a time—others will have read-only access

• If changes are needed after submission, the offer must be withdrawn and re-created

• EOIs submitted before July 2, 2025 have been removed from the system

Need Support?

The updated portal gives employers more control, but also increases responsibility. Submitting accurate, timely, and well-supported applications is now more important than ever.

If you’d like expert help managing the new OINP process, we can guide you from start to finish. Contact us today to build your team with top international talent through the OINP.