June 20, 2025

Ontario’s OINP Takes a Digital Leap: What Employers and Applicants Need to Know

Posted by Durr-e Adan - Bellissimo Law Group PC

Ontario is set to transform its immigration landscape with the introduction of a new Employer Portal on July 2, 2025. This digital platform aims to streamline the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) by shifting the focus from an applicant-led to an employer-led process, enhancing efficiency and security in the application journey.

A Shift to Employer-Led Applications

Previously, applicants initiated the process by registering an Expression of Interest (EOI). With the new system, employers will take the lead by submitting employment position details through the Employer Portal before applicants can register their EOIs. This change is designed to ensure that job offers are genuine and aligned with Ontario’s labour market needs.

Key Features of the Employer Portal

The Employer Portal will offer several enhancements:

  • Secure Online Submission: Employers can submit job offer details directly through the portal, reducing paperwork and administrative overhead.

  • Integration with My Ontario: The portal will integrate with My Ontario, providing a unified platform for services and information.

  • Real-Time Communication: Employers can communicate directly with OINP officials, facilitating quicker responses and clarifications.

  • Document Management: Secure upload and management of documents will be available, ensuring that all necessary paperwork is submitted accurately.

  • Application Tracking: Employers can track the status of their submissions, providing transparency throughout the process.

Impact on Applicants

For applicants, this change means that they will need to wait until their employer has submitted the job offer details through the Employer Portal before they can register their EOIs. Once registered, EOIs will be valid for 12 months. It’s important for applicants to stay in close contact with their employers to ensure timely submission of necessary information.

Transition Period and Important Dates

To facilitate a smooth transition to the new system, the following timeline has been established:

  • June 20 to July 2, 2025: Registrants will be unable to create new EOIs for Employer Job Offer streams.

  • June 21 and 22, 2025: Existing EOIs under the Employer Job Offer streams were automatically withdrawn.

  • June 27 to June 29, 2025: The OINP system will be unavailable for all streams. Individuals will be unable to access current applications, submit applications, or register EOIs.

  • July 2, 2025: The Employer Portal will open for registration.

Employers are encouraged to prepare by gathering necessary employment position details and ensuring they have access to the Employer Portal once it becomes available.

OINP Reforms in 2025

The launch of the Employer Portal is part of a broader set of reforms under the Working for Workers Seven Act, 2025, introduced on May 28, 2025. These reforms aim to strengthen program integrity, combat fraud, and align immigration processes with Ontario’s economic needs.

Key aspects of the reforms include:

  • In-Person Interviews: OINP inspectors are authorized to conduct in-person interviews with applicants to verify the authenticity of applications and reduce fraud.

  • Streamlined Application Processing: The government has the authority to return applications that no longer match job market needs or raise concerns, allowing faster processing of top candidates.

  • Flexibility in Stream Management: The Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development can now create or remove immigration nomination streams based on current labour market demands.

Looking Ahead

As Ontario adapts to a reduced federal nomination allocation—cut to 10,750 for 2025, down from 21,500 in 2024—these reforms are designed to make the OINP more efficient and responsive to the province’s labour market needs. Employers and applicants should stay informed about these changes and prepare accordingly to navigate the evolving immigration landscape.

For more information and updates, contact our team.