What is the OINP Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream?

The Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills stream is a component of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), designed to address labor shortages in essential sectors. This stream allows foreign workers with job offers in designated in-demand occupations to apply for permanent residence in Ontario, supporting the province’s economic growth and filling crucial roles.

How to Register an Expression of Interest

Step 1: Register an Expression of Interest (EOI)

To apply for this stream, you must first register an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the OINP’s system. This involves providing detailed information about your skills, work experience, and job offer.

Step 2: Receive an Invitation to Apply

After submitting your EOI, you must receive an invitation to apply. Only candidates who meet the eligibility criteria and rank high enough will be invited to submit a full application.

Job Offer Requirements

Full-time and Permanent

The job offer must be for a full-time position, defined as at least 1,560 hours per year and 30 hours per week. It should also be a permanent role, without a predefined end date, ensuring long-term employment stability.

Eligible Occupation

The job offer must be in one of the occupations listed under National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER category 4 or 5. These positions can be located anywhere in Ontario, including both inside and outside the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Some eligible occupations include:

• NOC 44101: Home support workers, caregivers, and related occupations
• NOC 65202: Meat cutters and fishmongers – retail and wholesale
• NOC 75110: Construction trades helpers and labourers
• NOC 84120: Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators
• NOC 85100: Livestock labourers
• NOC 85101: Harvesting labourers
• NOC 85103: Nursery and greenhouse labourers
• NOC 94141: Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers, and related workers

For positions outside the Greater Toronto Area, additional eligible occupations include:

• NOC 94100: Machine operators, mineral and metal processing
• NOC 94105: Metalworking and forging machine operators
• NOC 94106: Machining tool operators
• NOC 94107: Machine operators of other metal products
• NOC 94110: Chemical plant machine operators
• NOC 94111: Plastics processing machine operators
• NOC 94124: Woodworking machine operators
• NOC 94132: Industrial sewing machine operators
• NOC 94140: Process control and machine operators, food and beverage processing
• NOC 94201: Electronics assemblers, fabricators, inspectors, and testers
• NOC 94204: Mechanical assemblers and inspectors
• NOC 94213: Industrial painters, coaters, and metal finishing process operators
• NOC 94219: Other products assemblers, finishers, and inspectors
• NOC 95102: Labourers in chemical products processing and utilities

Median Wage Level:

• The offered salary must be at or above the median wage for that specific occupation in the region of Ontario where you will be employed.
• If you are already employed in the role, your wage must be at least equal to your current wage and meet the regional median wage.
• Wage requirements are exempt if covered by a collective agreement.

Work Based in Ontario:

• Your primary work location must be within Ontario.
• You and your immediate family members can hold equity in your employer’s business only if it is less than 10% and part of your compensation package.
• Combined family equity in the employer’s business must not exceed 10%.
• Immediate family members include your spouse, common-law partner, and children under 22, including their children.

 

Applicant Requirements

Expression of Interest and Invitation to Apply

To start your application process, you must:

• Receive an Invitation: First, register an Expression of Interest (EOI) with the OINP and wait for an invitation to apply.
• Apply Within the Deadline: Submit your application within the specified deadline.
• Qualification Proof: Demonstrate that you possess the qualifications claimed in your EOI.

Work Experience

You need to show:

• Duration: At least nine months of cumulative paid full-time work experience, or the equivalent in part-time work, in Ontario.
• Relevant Occupation: Experience must be in the same in-demand occupation (same NOC code) as your job offer.
• Time Frame: This work experience should have been gained within three years prior to your application date.

Details:

• Full-Time Experience: Minimum of 30 hours of paid work per week, totaling at least 1,200 hours over nine months.
• Part-Time Equivalent: Can be either:
  • Working at least 15 hours per week for 18 months.
  • Working multiple jobs totaling 30 hours per week for nine months.

Special Considerations:

• Leave Periods: Regular sick leave and vacation periods do not interrupt full-time employment.
• Self-Employment: Provide verifiable third-party documentation, such as client reference letters and payment evidence.

Valid Licence or Other Authorization (if applicable)

For occupations requiring a license or authorization in Ontario:

• Hold a Valid Licence: You must possess the necessary license or authorization from the appropriate regulatory body when applying.
• More Information: Visit the Ontario Jobs and Employment or Skilled Trades Ontario websites for details.

Language Proficiency

You need to demonstrate:

• Proficiency: Understanding, reading, writing, and speaking English or French at a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 or higher.
• Approved Tests: Take an approved language test within two years before submitting your application.

Accepted Tests:

• English:
  • International English Language Testing (IELTS) – General Training test only.
  • Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) – General test.
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE) Core – Core test only.
• French:
  • Test d’évaluation de français pour le Canada (TEF Canada).
  • Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada (TCF Canada).

Education

You must have:

• Diploma: A Canadian secondary school (high school) diploma or equivalent.
• Foreign Education: Obtain an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to prove your education is equivalent to a Canadian high school diploma.

Designated Organizations:

• Comparative Education Service – University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies.
• International Credential Assessment Service of Canada.
• International Credential Evaluation Service.
• International Qualifications Assessment Service.
• Medical Council of Canada (for doctors).
• Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (for pharmacists).
• World Education Services.

ECA Requirements:

• Valid Report: The report must be less than five years old.
• Authorization: Authorize the organization to share your results electronically with OINP.

To ensure the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) can verify your Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) results, you must authorize the organization that completed your ECA to share the results electronically with the OINP. Simply authorizing the organization to share the results with IRCC is not sufficient for your OINP application.

Important: Do not request a duplicate paper copy to be mailed to the OINP.

Here are the steps to authorize the OINP to access your ECA results:

• Comparative Education Service: Submit an online request form.
• Medical Council of Canada: Request the report. Once available, log into your physiciansapply.ca account, select “Other service requests” in the left panel, and follow the steps to request a file transfer. Enter ontarionominee@ontario.ca as the third party’s email address.
• World Education Services: Order a copy of your ECA report online and specify the “Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program” as the recipient.

For other ECA organizations, no additional steps are necessary.

If you have any questions about the ECA process or how to authorize and share your ECA results with the OINP, please contact the respective ECA organization directly.

Intention to Live in Ontario

You must show your intention to reside in Ontario by demonstrating your ties to the province, such as:

• Working or having worked in Ontario.
• Applying for jobs, attending job interviews.
• Studying or planning to study.
• Volunteering.
• Leasing or owning property.
• Visiting regularly.
• Having professional networks, family ties, and personal relationships.

Legal Status in Canada (if applicable)

If you are applying from within Canada:

• Maintain Legal Status: Hold a visitor record, study permit, or work permit at the time of application and maintain that status until nomination.

Key Features and Points of the In-Demand Skills Stream

• Pathway to Permanent Residence: Offers a clear route for foreign workers to become permanent residents in Ontario.
• Targeted Occupations: Focuses on filling labor shortages in critical sectors.
• Streamlined Process: Simplified steps from EOI registration to receiving an invitation and applying.
• Work Experience Requirement: Requires relevant and recent work experience, ensuring applicants have the necessary skills.
• Language Proficiency: Ensures applicants can effectively communicate in English or French.
• Educational Credentials: Validates educational qualifications to match Canadian standards.
• Intention to Reside: Confirms applicants’ commitment to living and contributing to Ontario’s community and economy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills stream?

It is an immigration pathway under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) for foreign workers with job offers in specific in-demand occupations to apply for permanent residence.

What are the job offer requirements for this stream?

The job offer must be full-time and permanent, in an eligible occupation under NOC TEER category 4 or 5, with a wage meeting or exceeding the median wage level for that occupation in Ontario.

How do I register an Expression of Interest (EOI)?

You need to provide detailed information about your skills, work experience, and job offer through the OINP’s EOI system and await an invitation to apply.

What work experience is required?

You must have at least nine months of cumulative paid full-time work experience in the same in-demand occupation as your job offer, gained within the three years prior to application.

Do I need a license for my occupation?

If your occupation requires a mandatory license or authorization in Ontario, you must hold a valid one at the time of application.

What language proficiency is required?

You must demonstrate proficiency in English or French at a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 or higher through an approved language test taken within two years before applying.