Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program - Employers

Within the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), employers in the province are given the opportunity to recruit foreign workers and international students to fill permanent, full-time positions. 

In order to do so, employers must submit a Pre-screen Application to OINP stating the position they want filled. If the application is approved, the prospective nominee (the foreign worker or international student that the employer is looking to recruit) will need to submit a Nominee Application within 60 days of the date of approval. 

Employer Criteria

In order to be eligible to apply, employers must:

  • have been in active business for at least three years;
  • have business premises in Ontario where the prospective nominee will work; and
  • be in compliance with all provincial labour laws, including employment standards, health and safety, and labour relations legislation.

Additionally, employers inside the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) must have:

  • a minimum of $1,000,000 CAD in gross annual revenue for the most recent fiscal year; and
  • five permanent, full-time employees  who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents, per position to be filled each year, at the location where the prospective nominee will work.

Employers outside the GTA must have:

  • a minimum of $500,000 CAD in gross annual revenue for the most recent fiscal year; and
  • three permanent, full-time employees who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents, per position to be filled each year, at the location where the prospective nominee will work. 

Position Criteria

In order to be considered for approval by OINP, the position to be filled must:

  • be permanent and full-time;
    • This is equivalent to  a minimum of 1,560 hours of paid employment in a 12 month period.
  • be in a skilled occupation (NOC Code 0, A, or B);
  • meet wage criteria;
    • For foreign worker applicants: prevailing wage level.
    • For international student applicants: entry-level wage level.
    • If the prospective nominee is already working in the position: wage level equal to or greater than the approved wage for the specific position.
  • not affect the settlement of any labour disputes, the employment of a person involved in such disputes, or adversely affect employment or training opportunities for Canadian citizens or permanent residents; and
  • be necessary for the company's operations

Ineligible Positions

The following are not considered permanent, full-time positions regardless of the number of hours worked:

  • seasonal or part-time employees 
  • subcontractors or agency workers
  • employees who do not work on company premises, such as those who work from home or virtually

Multiple Positions

Employers inside the GTA can request one position per every five full-time employees. Employers outside the GTA, however, can request one position for every three full-time employees. Employers may request a maximum of 20 positions per calender year. Regardless of the number of positions requested, employers must complete only one Pre-screen Application with all positions listed.