Summary in a Nutshell:
- New Employer Portal launched on July 2, 2025, marking a shift to an employer-led process for the Employer Job Offer streams.
- All EOIs submitted under the International Student, Foreign Worker, and In-Demand Skills streams prior to June 21, 2025, were automatically withdrawn.
- Employers now initiate the process by submitting job offer details directly through the portal before the candidate registers their EOI.
- New EOI registrations are required for all affected applicants.
- Program materials updated to reflect these changes, including interview provisions and authority to return applications.
As of July 2, 2025, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has rolled out a brand-new Employer Portal, a lmajor move that should enhance coordination and reduce friction between employers, applicants, and the program itself. This update fundamentally changes how applications are initiated and processed under the Employer Job Offer streams.
Previously, OINP followed a largely applicant-driven model: candidates would register an Expression of Interest (EOI), and upon receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA), scramble to get their employer to complete and sign the paper-based Employer Form within 14 days. In many cases, applicants struggled with the tight timelines, or faced uncooperative employers who misunderstood program requirements or refused to sign the form. This disconnect often led to wasted invitations, incomplete submissions, or disqualified applications.
The new Employer Portal aims to fix that. It flips the process: employers must now register their business, submit position details, and initiate the job offer through the portal first. Only once that’s done can the applicant submit their EOI. This ensures all necessary employer requirements: business tenure, staffing, wage levels, and more are pre-screened before an applicant even enters the selection pool.
The change affects all three Employer Job Offer streams:
- International Student Stream
- Foreign Worker Stream
- In-Demand Skills Stream
As part of this rollout, all existing EOIs under these streams were automatically withdrawn in June 2025. Applicants now need to coordinate with their employers to re-submit EOIs using the new portal. Importantly, each new EOI will remain valid for 12 months.
Additional features of the new portal include direct communication with the OINP, secure uploads, multi-user access for employers and representatives, auto-population of recurring data, and real-time application tracking, all designed to reduce duplication and streamline the nomination process.
Alongside the Employer Portal, July 2025 also marked a regulatory amendment giving the OINP increased authority to return applications before a nomination is issued. This includes considerations such as fraud, misuse, program integrity, and alignment with labour market needs. While the full impact of this provision remains to be seen, it signals a tightening of program controls and an emphasis on credible, job-ready applicants.
If you were affected by the recent OINP portal transition and your Expression of Interest (EOI) was withdrawn or interrupted, don’t panic. At SAAB Immigration, we specialize in guiding applicants through evolving immigration policies with transparency and precision. Whether you’re re-submitting your EOI, unsure about employer compliance, or facing tight timelines, we’re here to help.
Book a Consultation with us today at +1 (877) 683-7222 (SAAB) or email us at hello@saabimmigration.ca to schedule a detailed consultation.
