Employer requirements for OINP International Student Stream
International students who graduate from an acceptable program in Ontario could qualify for an OINP immigration option. OINP stands for the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program. Unless applying under the PhD or Masters Graduates Streams, international graduates need a job offer from a verified Ontarian employer. The focus of this article is to introduce the employer requirements for OINP International Student Stream. Nevertheless, the employer requirements could vary for other OINP options.
- The OINP Law
- Defining GTA
- Explaining the job location
- Basic requirements for the employer
- Revenue and number of employees
- The steps an employer must take
- Let us help!
Of course, the requirements could change over time. Therefore, make sure to consult with the official sources as well. Moreover, the focus of this article is only on describing the employers. I have published a separate article about job offers.
The legal source for employer requirements
Section 4 of Ontario Regulation 422/17 defines the employer’s requirements. However, I’ll simplify the criteria here.
Depicting the Greater Toronto Area for OINP International Student Stream
The Greater Toronto Area or GTA refers to the largest urban area in Ontario and Canada. The population of the GTA is slightly more than 6,700,000. However, you may identify the following regions in the GTA:
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![]() Source: Wikipedia |
What is the job location?
If the OINP International Student Stream candidate works in one location, the job location will be the same. However, if the person works in more than one location, the job location refers to any of the following:
- where the immediate manager or supervisor of the employee works, or
- the location of the office that assigns tasks to the employee
Of course, if you have questions about the job location, you may contact OINP directly. Alternatively, you may consult with a professional.
Basic requirements for OINP International Student Stream
For the OINP International Student Stream, every employer who offers a job must meet the following benchmarks:
- Your work location must be in Ontario. Moreover, the business must have premises in this province.
- The business has been active for at least three years. Of course, you must consider the duration before the date of application.
- The employer must have no outstanding orders against them under the Ontario Employment Standards Act, 2000 or the Occupational Health and Safety Act (source: Ontario.ca).
If the employer does not meet these basic requirements, they may not offer you a job in Canada. Of course, they must also meet the following criteria.
Number of employees and revenue conditions
Depending on the location of the job, the conditions differ. Of course, our focus here is only on OINP International Student Stream. Other OINP options may require different needs.
GTA job locations
- Revenue in the most recent fiscal year must be $1,000,00o (CAD) or more.
- At least five full-time employees who are:
- Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada
- Their job location is the same as the candidate
Outside GTA job locations
- Revenue in the most recent fiscal year must be $500,00o (CAD) or more.
- At least three full-time employees who are:
- Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada
- Their job location is the same as the candidate
Of course, the fiscal year-end refers to a date used for tax purposes. For example, the fiscal year-end for a business could be June 15th instead of December 31st. Moreover, a full-time employee works at least 30 hours per week for the employer.
The steps an employer must take under OINP International Student Stream
Suppose an employer is willing to offer you a job. Please make sure they meet the measures. Then ask them to fill out the Employer Form. Also, ask them to check out and follow the Employer Checklist. Of course, for this stream, there is no need for an LMIA.
Let us help!
For OINP International Student Stream or other international students or graduates options, fill out the following form. Alternatively, please book a consultation session with me. If you are not an international student or graduate in Canada, fill out our assessment form.
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Would you please fill out our free assessment form if you wish to visit or move to Canada? We will review it for free, but we will contact you only if we find an opportunity for you. Alternatively, you may book a consultation session. Consultation sessions are not free, but you will receive formal immigration advice from a licensed practitioner.
Al Parsai, LLM, MA, DTM, RCIC
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant
Adjunct Professor – Queen’s University – Faculty of Law
Ashton College Instructor – Immigration Consulting
Author – 88 Tips on Immigration to Canada
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