Who’s Eligible For OINP Employer Job Offer - International Student Stream?

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Sep 04, 2025

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The Employer Job Offer — International Student stream allows recent graduates of eligible Canadian institutions to be nominated for permanent residence based on a qualifying job offer from an Ontario employer. An important detail for this stream is the wage floor: the offered wage must meet or exceed the Job Bank “low” wage for the occupation (NOC 2021) in the Ontario economic region where the job will be performed.

This is different from other Employer Job Offer streams that use the Job Bank median wage.

So, are you eligible?

You are generally eligible if you meet all of the following:

Education:
- Completed a full-time program of at least two years at an eligible Canadian institution, or
- Completed a one-year graduate certificate, postgraduate program, or degree that required prior completion of a degree.
- You must apply within two years of completing the credential (based on the date on your diploma, degree, transcript, or official letter).
Status in Canada (if applicable):
If you are in Canada, you must hold and maintain valid temporary resident status and be eligible to work until nomination is issued.
Intention to reside:
You intend to live and work primarily in Ontario.
Settlement funds:
You can meet settlement fund requirements. In most cases, a sufficiently remunerated, ongoing job offer satisfies this; otherwise, funds can be demonstrated through savings or support.

The job offer

Your employer’s offer must satisfy all of the following:

Occupation: TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 (NOC 2021).
Type of employment: Full-time (minimum 30 hours/week), permanent (indeterminate).
Location: Duties performed primarily in Ontario.
Wage: At or above the Job Bank “low” wage for your exact NOC + Ontario economic region.
- If the role is unionized, the wage in the collective agreement governs (and must be met or exceeded).

A summary of employer requirements

Active, legitimate business with premises in Ontario.
Meets OINP revenue and headcount thresholds, which differ inside vs. outside the Greater Toronto Area.
Is offering a full-time, permanent position in a TEER 0–3 occupation at or above the required wage for the region (or union wage where applicable).
Can demonstrate genuine need for the position and compliance with employment standards.

(Employers should review the current OINP guidance to confirm exact revenue and employee thresholds, which are subject to change.)

The process at a glance

Employer submits the job offer through the OINP Employer Portal and once submitted shares details with you (the employee).
You register an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the International Student stream.
You wait for an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Selection is based on OINP criteria and EOI scoring.

Common reasons for ineligibility

The job offer is part-time, seasonal, term-limited, or outside TEER 0–3.
Wage is below the Job Bank “low” wage for the specific NOC and Ontario region (or below the applicable union rate).
Credential is older than two years at the time of application, or the program does not meet the stream’s education rules.
Employer does not meet OINP revenue and/or employee thresholds.
The employment is not primarily in Ontario or the employer cannot substantiate the position’s genuineness.

“Low vs. median wage” — why it matters

International Student stream: Wage must meet the Job Bank low wage for the NOC and Ontario region.
Foreign Worker / In-Demand Skills streams: Wage must meet the Job Bank median wage for the NOC and region.

Note: This article provides general information only and is not legal advice. Program criteria and procedures can change; always review the current OINP instructions before applying.

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