The OINP can now return applications for nomination

Nationwide Visas
[Published 05 Jul, 2025 | 04:18 AM]
About Author - 4 min read
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The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has officially rolled out significant regulatory changes to improve the program’s responsiveness to Ontario’s labour market demands. The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) announced these changes, which have been in effect since July 1, 2025, and will help streamline the application process, enhance program integrity, and focus on high-impact nominations.

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Highlights of OINP Updates

1. New power to return applications before the nomination

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program has acquired the power to turn over applications and withdraw them ahead of issuing a provincial nomination for the first time. This means:

• Applications may be refused where there are priorities by available labour in the market or where there are limits on nomination or suspicions over the authenticity of the applications.

• When an application file is returned, all the application fees shall be refunded to the applicants.

• The change will allow the program to improve the control of quotas of nominations and to concentrate on high-quality and job-specific applications.

2. OINP Employer Portal launch

OINP has introduced a new Employer Portal to foster efficiency and employer input and is changing the Employer Job Offer streams to the employer-driven model. Key points:

• Employers have to enter information on business and job posts in the portal.
• The information is needed so that a potential immigrant can submit his/her Expression of Interest (EOI).
• Applicants whose EOIs have already been revoked are advised to liaise with their employers in making a renewed application through the new system.

3. The Requirement of a Face-to-Face Interview Established

The OINP is now likely to demand a face-to-face interview of the foreigners as well as their employers. This change:

• Seeks to improve openness and trustworthiness.
• Has the benefit of checking identity on real job offers and candidates.
• Provides facilities to stay in case of necessity.

4. Revised Education Standards of Early Childhood Teachers

In the Human Capital Priorities (HCP) or French-Speaking Skilled Worker (FSSW) streams, applicants who apply to NOC 42202 - Early Childhood Educators and Assistants accounts will now:

• Be excused from the normal minimum education requirement, provided that they are members of the College of Early Childhood Educators.
• This simplifies the process for credentialed professionals who are already employment-ready and fulfill the licensing requirements in Ontario.

The Importance of These Changes

These updates are included in the wider strategy of Ontario offices to:

• Make the OINP nimble to react to labour needs in real time.
• Eliminate delays and speed the processing schedules.
• Attract skilled immigrants whose contribution to the province's economy can be felt within a short time.
• Intensify employer involvement and control, and particularly employer job offer streams.

As the need in other areas, including education, healthcare, and skilled trades, continues to rise, these add-ons mean that OINP nominations will fill areas where Ontario needs workers most urgently.

What Applicants Can Do

When considering immigrating to Ontario on the PNP route:

• Get aligned with your employer to present details of the job on the Employer Portal.
• Monitor the changes in the labour market requirements to match your application.
• Know that an application turnaround is not a rejection; there is always the chance of reapplying when circumstances are altered.
• When doing so as an early childhood educator, you need to be registered with the College of Early Childhood Educators to make use of the education exemption.

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Source: ontario.ca