Immigrating to Ontario in 2025: How the New Employer Portal and EOI System Can Get You to Ontario

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has undergone a major overhaul and changed would be effective 2^nd July, 2025. These changes aim at streamlining the immigration process for skilled foreign workers, international students, and in-demand occupations.

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1 As against present system where an immigrant employee makes application, post the change, the program would be employer-led system and a new employer portal would be setup that would refine the Expression of Interest (EOI) system.

2 As these changes come into effect, no further Expression of Interest can be submitted for Employer Job Offer streams

3 Key Changes in the new OINP Employer Job Offer Stream

4 Understanding the EOI System in the OINP Employer Job Offer Streams

5 How OINP ranking system works:

5.1 Registration for Expression of Interest- EOI

5.2 Points Calculator System:

5.3 Draws and Invitation to Apply for OINP program

6 Tips to Candidates for improving their score to get ITA for OINP

7 How does Ontario’s PNP compare with similar program of other Canadian Provinces

7.1 About Post Author

7.1.1 Terry

As against present system where an immigrant employee makes application, post the change, the program would be employer-led system and a new employer portal would be setup that would refine the Expression of Interest (EOI) system.

So, what has changed in the new Expression of Interest (EOI) system, and how immigrants can optimize their EOI scores for better chances of receiving a provincial nomination.

As these changes come into effect, no further Expression of Interest can be submitted for Employer Job Offer streams

As the new Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) comes into effect on July 2, 2025, no new EOIs can be submitted for Employer Job Offer streams, and existing Expression of Interest submitted will be automatically stand withdrawn on June 21, 2025.

The OINP system will be unavailable from June 27 (after close of business) to June 29, 2025, to facilitate the transition to the new Employer Portal.

Key Changes in the new OINP Employer Job Offer Stream

The OINP Employer Job Offer streams, which include Foreign Worker, International Student, and In-Demand Skills streams, would now be employer-led process. The major changes are-

Employer-Led Application Process:– As against previously, where candidates initiated the EOI process and requested employers to submit an “Application for Approval of an Employment Position ,now, employers must first register job details through the new OINP Employer Portal before candidates can submit an EOI.

Post these changes, job offers would be vetted by employers upfront, thereby eliminating chances of fraudulent applications.

New OINP Employer Portal would be launched on July 2, 2025, replacing the paper-based Employer Form with a secure, user-friendly digital platform. Employers must create a profile and submit job details, enabling candidates to register EOIs.

Existing EOI registrants must, in coordination with their employers, re-register their profiles after the portal launch, since all prior EOIs will expire.

Streamlined Application Process: New system adapts employer-led EOI system that aims to make the process more organized and transparent as against earlier first-come, first-served approach which had its own limitations.

Under new system, candidates would need to submit a full application  with in 14 Calendar days after receiving an Invitation to Apply and same shall be processes with in time ranging from 30 to 150 days.

Enhanced Fraud Prevention:- New OINP system grants inspectors authority to conduct in-person interviews to verify application authenticity, as also makes it mandatory for job posting platforms to report fraudulent employment postings. These measures are likely to prevent frauds.

Understanding the EOI System in the OINP Employer Job Offer Streams

The Expression of Interest (EOI) system is a points-based ranking mechanism used by the OINP to select candidates for the Employer Job Offer streams.

How OINP ranking system works:

Registration for Expression of Interest- EOI

As a first step, candidate is to submit an EOI through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) e-Filing Portal, wherein all details about skills, education, work experience, language proficiency, and job offer details are to be added. There is no fee to register an EOI, and the profile so created remains valid for 12 months.

Points Calculator System:

The OINP uses a Points Calculator to assign scores based on factors as Job Offer Skill Level based on the National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill level of the job offer.

• 1. Canadian Work Experience: Up to 3 points for 6+ months of work in the job offer position in Ontario.
  2. For Education, points are given on basis that- pp to 12 points for STEM/health or trades credentials; 10 points for PhD/MD, and 6 points if for business or social sciences.
  3. Language Proficiency: Candidate has to haver minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 7 in one language and 6 in the other. Up to 10 points for bilingual candidates are awarded.
  4. The OINP program is designed to encourage growth of Northern Ontario or areas outside Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), therefore, additional points for job offers in Northern Ontario or areas outside Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) are awarded.
  5. Up to 10 points are awarded on discretion basis where a candidate qualifications are suitable to address specific labor market needs.

Draws and Invitation to Apply for OINP program

Periodic draws would be conducted under the program and Invitation to Apply (ITA) shall be issued to the candidates with highest scores. On June 6, 2025, 72 ITAs were issued and highest score touched 54 with lowest scoring winning candidate has 32 score with job offers in Greater Sudbury.

Tips to Candidates for improving their score to get ITA for OINP

Following steps would be helpful to candidates to increase their EOI score and increase their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA):

1. Enhancing Language Proficiency to ensure that they get high CLB score in English or French and earn maximum of 10 points as available under this head.
2. Relevant work experience of at least 6 months in the job in Ontario can help earn 3 points. Candidates with work experience in high-demand sectors like healthcare or trades can boost scores on this account.

1. Credentials in STEM, health, or trades fields, are eligible for 1 point on this account. These educational credentials must be recognized or assessed via an Educational Credential Assessment for additional point.
2. Having a Job Offer in High-Demand Regions as in Northern Ontario or regions outside the GTA  for in-demand occupations like healthcare, technology, or skilled trades can help you get higher points.
3. Candidates should update their EOI periodically to reflect improved qualifications where applicable to increase chances of getting ITA.
4. Work with Employers as much as possible. If your employer is prepared to register the job offer through the new Employer Portal, which is now a prerequisite for EOI submission, it will improve chances of your success in getting ITA.

How does Ontario’s PNP compare with similar program of other Canadian Provinces

Ontario’s PNP is one of the most popular due to its economic opportunities and diverse urban centers like Toronto and Ottawa. However, other similar provincial program offer unique advantages through their Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).

Ontario (OINP) has large nomination quota of 10,747 in 2025, diverse job market, and it offers both Employer Job Offer and enhanced (Express Entry-aligned) streams.

On the flip side, Ontario program, OINP has slower processing times for base streams and after recent changes, the shift to an employer-led system and reduced federal allocations may limit nominations.

As compared with British Columbia (BC PNP), BC PNP has strong tech and healthcare sectors, with streams like International Post-Graduate not requiring work experience. On the flip side for BC, high demand for urban areas like Vancouver increases competition and it has smaller nomination quotas than Ontario.

About Post Author

Terry

Terry, a writer and immigration expert with 10+ years as a content creator and advocate, helps newcomers navigate Canada’s system. Collaborating with consultants and agencies, Terry decodes PR risks and job challenges in trusted blogs. A storyteller and maple syrup fan, Terry authored a popular guide for new Canadians.

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