OINP Employer Job Offer International Student Stream

As an international student dreaming of building a life in Canada, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream could be your ticket to permanent residence. At Mapleaves Immigration Servies, we’re passionate about guiding students like you through this exciting opportunity to live and work in Ontario. Let’s break down how this stream works, what you need to qualify, and how we can help you navigate the process with ease.

What is the Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream?

This stream is designed specifically for international students—whether you’re studying in Canada or abroad—who have a job offer in a skilled occupation in Ontario. Unlike other immigration pathways, work experience is not required, making it an excellent option for recent graduates looking to kickstart their careers in Canada. If you secure a job offer in a skilled occupation (classified under TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the National Occupational Classification, or NOC), you can apply to be nominated by Ontario for permanent residence.

Once nominated, you’ll apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residency. The IRCC makes the final decision, but a nomination from Ontario significantly strengthens your application.

Steps to Apply

The application process involves coordination between you and your employer. Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Your Employer Submits a Job Offer

Your journey begins with your employer. They must register their business in the OINP Employer Portal and submit details about your job offer, including the position, wage, and terms of employment. Once submitted, you’ll receive a Job Offer ID, which you’ll need for the next step.

Step 2: Register Your Expression of Interest (EOI)

Within 30 calendar days of your employer submitting the job offer, you must register an Expression of Interest (EOI) in the OINP system. Your EOI is scored based on factors like your education, language skills, and the location of your job in Ontario. If your EOI ranks high enough, you’ll receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Step 3: Submit Your Application

If invited, you and your employer have tight deadlines to meet:

Your employer must submit an application for approval of the employment position within 14 calendar days of the ITA.
You must submit your application within 17 calendar days of the ITA, but only after your employer submits theirs. You’ll also need to pay the application fee at this stage.

Pro Tip: If you’re working with a representative (like us), ensure they’re properly authorized and appointed. Self-appointed representatives can lead to invalid applications, and we’ll make sure everything is done correctly to avoid delays or refunds.

Once approved, you’ll receive a nomination approval letter, a work permit support letter (if needed), and a nomination certificate. These documents are your key to applying for permanent residence through IRCC.

Key Factors to Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)

Your chances of receiving an ITA depend on how your Expression of Interest (EOI) is scored. The OINP assigns points based on several factors that reflect your potential to succeed in Ontario’s labor market and contribute to the province’s economy. Here are the key factors that can boost your EOI score:

Education: Higher points are awarded for advanced credentials, such as a graduate degree or diploma from an eligible Canadian institution. Ontario college or university graduate certificates also carry significant weight.
Language Proficiency: Strong skills in English or French, demonstrated through standardized tests like IELTS or TEF, can significantly increase your score. The higher your language proficiency, the more points you’ll earn.
Regionalization: Jobs located outside the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) often receive additional points, especially in Northern Ontario (e.g., Muskoka Haliburton, Sudbury, Thunder Bay) or other regions like Ottawa or Waterloo. The OINP prioritizes candidates who will contribute to economic growth in less populated areas.
Employment/Labour Market Factors: A job offer in a high-demand occupation or one that aligns with Ontario’s economic priorities can improve your score. The TEER level of your job offer (0, 1, 2, or 3) also plays a role.

To maximize your EOI score, ensure your job offer is in a high-demand region or occupation, and provide accurate, verifiable details about your education and language skills. We can help you optimize your EOI to stand out in the selection process.

Job Offer Requirements: What You Need to Qualify

Your job offer must meet specific criteria to be eligible. Here’s what to look for:

Full-Time and Permanent: The position must involve at least 30 hours of paid work per week (1,560 hours annually) with no end date. Seasonal or contract-based jobs don’t qualify.
Skilled Occupation: The job must fall under TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the NOC. These include roles like managers, professionals, and skilled trades.
Competitive Wage: The pay must meet or exceed the low wage level for your occupation in the region of Ontario where you’ll work, as listed on the Job Bank website. If you’re already working in the role, your wage must match or exceed your current pay and the low wage level.
Urgent Business Need: The position must be critical to your employer’s business operations, aligning with their existing activities.
Based in Ontario: The work must primarily take place in Ontario, and you (or your family) can’t own more than 10% equity in the employer’s business.
Efforts to Hire Locally: According to O. Reg. 422/17 under the Ontario Immigration Act, 2015, if deemed necessary by the director, the employer must have made reasonable but unsuccessful efforts to fill the position with a Canadian citizen or permanent resident before offering it to you.

Note: Self-employed professionals are not eligible for this stream, but self-employed physicians may qualify under the OINP’s Foreign Worker stream. We can help clarify which stream is right for you!

Applicant Requirements: Are You Eligible?

To qualify as an international student, you must meet the following criteria:

Education: You need a degree, diploma, or certificate from an eligible Canadian institution:
- A two-year undergraduate degree or diploma (full-time).
- A one-year graduate degree or diploma (full-time).
- A one-year Ontario college or university graduate certificate (full-time).
- More than half of your studies must have been completed while living in Canada.
Timing: You must apply within two years of completing your degree or certificate.
Legal Status (if in Canada): If you’re applying from within Canada, you need valid legal status (e.g., study permit, work permit, or visitor record). You can also apply if you’re in “maintained status” while awaiting a permit renewal.
Intention to Live in Ontario: You must show ties to Ontario, such as past work, studies, volunteering, or family connections.
Licence (if applicable): If your job requires a mandatory licence (e.g., for regulated professions), you must hold a valid one at the time of application.

Employer Requirements: What Your Employer Needs to Know

Your employer plays a crucial role in this process. They must:

Have been in business for at least three years.
Meet revenue thresholds: $1,000,000 in gross annual revenue for jobs in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) or $500,000 outside the GTA.
Employ full-time Canadian citizens or permanent residents: at least 5 in the GTA or 3 outside the GTA.
Have no outstanding violations under Ontario’s Employment Standards Act or Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Scoring Factors: How Your EOI is Evaluated

Once you register your Expression of Interest (EOI), the OINP assigns points based on specific factors that determine your ranking. These factors are distinct from the stream’s eligibility criteria, and you’ll need to provide supporting documents for each factor you claim points for if invited to apply. Below is a breakdown of the scoring factors:

1. Employment/Labour Market Factors

Job Offer: NOC TEER Category (prepopulated in the EOI based on job offer):
- NOC TEER 0 or 1: 10 points
- NOC TEER 2 or 3: 8 points
- NOC TEER 4 or 5: 0 points
Job Offer: NOC Broad Occupational Category (prepopulated in the EOI based on job offer):
- Occupational Category 0, 2, 3: 10 points
- Occupational Category 7: 7 points
- Occupational Category 1, 9: 5 points
- Occupational Category 4, 8: 4 points
- Occupational Category 5, 6: 3 points
Job Offer: Wage (prepopulated in the EOI based on 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 or Study Permit Status:
- With valid work or study permit (conferring legal status): 10 points
- Without valid work or study permit: 0 points
Job Tenure with Job Offer Employer:
- 6 months or more working in the job offer position in Ontario: 3 points
- Less than 6 months or not currently working in the position: 0 points
Earnings History (based on a Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency in the last five years):
- $40,000 or more earnings in a year: 3 points
- Less than $40,000 earnings in a year: 0 points

2. Education

Highest Level of Education (Canadian credential or Educational Credential Assessment required):
- PhD: 10 points
- Masters: 8 points
- Bachelors or equivalent: 6 points
- Graduate diploma or certificate: 6 points
- Undergraduate diploma or certificate: 5 points
- Apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 5 points
- Less than college or trade certificate: 0 points
Field of Study (based on the eligible education credential used for the OINP application):
- STEM/Health (Engineering, Health, Math, Computer Science) and Trades (agriculture, mechanics, architecture, construction, precision production): 12 points
- Business, administration, social, legal, education, behavioral science, personal, security, transport services, social work: 6 points
- Arts, humanities, social sciences, and other unclassified programs: 0 points
Canadian Education Experience (credential from an eligible Canadian institution, minimum one year full-time):
- More than one Canadian credential: 10 points
- One Canadian credential: 5 points

3. Language

Official Language Ability (based on Canadian Language Benchmark, CLB):
- CLB 9 or higher: 10 points
- CLB 8: 6 points
- CLB 7: 4 points
- CLB 6 or lower: 0 points
Knowledge of Official Languages:
- Two official languages (minimum CLB 7 in one language, CLB 6 in the second): 10 points
- One official language: 5 points

4. Regionalization

Location of Job Offer:
- Northern Ontario (e.g., Muskoka Haliburton, Sudbury, Thunder Bay): 10 points
- Other areas outside GTA (except Northern Ontario): 8 points
- Inside GTA (except Toronto): 3 points
- Toronto: 0 points
Location of Study (where you physically attended classes):
- Northern Ontario: 10 points
- Other areas outside GTA (except Northern Ontario): 8 points
- Inside GTA (except Toronto): 3 points
- Toronto or credential completed without in-person classes: 0 points

Regionalization Definitions:

Northern Ontario: Includes Muskoka Haliburton, Nipissing, Parry Sound, Manitoulin, Sudbury, Greater Sudbury, Timiskaming, Cochrane, Algoma, Thunder Bay, Rainy River, and Kenora.
Other areas outside GTA (except Northern Ontario): All Ontario regions except Toronto, GTA, and Northern Ontario.
Greater Toronto Area (except Toronto): Durham, Halton, Peel, and York.
Toronto: City of Toronto.

To maximize your score, focus on securing a high-wage job offer in a TEER 0 or 1 occupation, ideally in Northern Ontario or outside the GTA, and leverage strong language skills and advanced education credentials. We can help you strategize to boost your EOI score!

Why Choose Us?

Navigating the OINP can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. We can:

Guide you and your employer through the application process, ensuring all deadlines are met.
Help verify that your job offer and qualifications meet OINP requirements.
Provide personalized support to maximize your EOI score and chances of receiving an ITA.
Ensure your application is complete and error-free to avoid delays or rejections.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

The Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream is a fantastic opportunity to turn your Canadian education into a permanent home in Ontario. Whether you’re studying in Toronto or abroad, we’re here to help you make your dream a reality. Contact us today to schedule a consultation, and let’s start building your future in Canada together!