Starting July 2, 2024, significant changes will take effect in the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), introducing a new online Employer Portal that shifts the application process for Employer Job Offer streams from candidates to employers. Maple News reports that foreign nationals will no longer be able to independently submit their Expressions of Interest (EOIs). Instead, employers must first initiate the process by registering a job offer and providing details directly to the OINP.
Previously, applicants submitted EOIs themselves and then asked their employers to support their submission by completing a separate employer form. Under the revised approach, employers must now take the first step. Once an employer has submitted their job authorization through the new portal, the foreign national can then register their EOI.
This change affects three key streams within the Employer Job Offer category: the Foreign Worker Stream, the International Student Stream, and the In-Demand Skills Stream. All three pathways will adopt the employer-led model, reinforcing the province’s intent to ensure that job offers are verified up front, making the process more accountable and employer-centric.
The transition to the new system will be phased in through tightly scheduled milestones:
– From June 20 to July 2, the OINP will stop accepting new EOIs across the affected streams.
– On June 21 and 22, EOIs currently in the system will be automatically withdrawn.
– Between June 27 and June 29, the entire online system will temporarily shut down for maintenance and transition.
– On July 2, the new Employer Portal will officially launch.
Maple News notes that those who already submitted EOIs must now collaborate with their employers to re-enter their applications under the new system. This shift reflects Ontario’s broader strategy to streamline immigration processes and ensure that job offers meet provincial labor market needs from the outset.
The OINP’s new model aligns with current immigration trends in Canada, where increased emphasis is being placed on employer validation before candidates enter the provincial nomination system. Ontario, as Canada’s most populous province and a key economic hub, continues to adapt its immigration programs to better address workforce shortages and enhance the integrity of its selection system.