There are numerous updates to the OINP that you should be aware of if you're considering applying for PR in Ontario, Canada. In today's video, we'll cover the latest and most crucial updates to the OINP.
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The first update involves changes to the Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream. The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) has revised the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program’s Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills stream.
To be eligible, applicants must have a job offer from an Ontario employer in a qualifying occupation. The changes broaden the list of eligible occupations for positions located outside the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The newly added occupations are:
The newly added occupations are:
NOC 14400 - Shippers and Receivers
NOC 14402 - Production logistics workers
NOC 65320 - Dry cleaning, laundry, and related occupations
NOC 74200 - Railway yard and track maintenance workers
NOC 74203 - Automotive and heavy truck and equipment parts installers and servicers
NOC 74204 - Utility maintenance workers
NOC 74205 - Public works maintenance equipment operators and related workers
NOC 75101 - Material handlers
NOC 75119 - Other trades helpers and labourers
NOC 75211 - Railway and motor transport labourers
NOC 75212 - Public works and maintenance labourers
NOC 85102 - Aquaculture and marine harvest labourers
NOC 94101 - Foundry workers
NOC 94102 - Glass forming and finishing machine operators and glass cutters
NOC 94103 - Concrete, clay, and stone forming operators
NOC 94104 - Inspectors and testers, mineral and metal processing
NOC 94112 - Rubber processing machine operators and related workers
NOC 94120 - Sawmill machine operators
NOC 94121 - Pulp mill, papermaking, and finishing machine operators
NOC 94123 - Lumber graders and other wood processing inspectors and graders
NOC 94142 - Fish and seafood plant workers
NOC 94143 - Testers and graders, food and beverage processing
NOC 94200 - Motor vehicle assemblers, inspectors and testers
NOC 94202 - Assemblers and inspectors, electrical appliance, apparatus, and equipment manufacturing
NOC 94203 - Assemblers, fabricators, and inspectors, industrial electrical motors and transformers
NOC 94205 - Machine operators and inspectors, electrical apparatus manufacturing
NOC 94211 - Assemblers and inspectors of other wood products
NOC 94212 - Plastic products assemblers, finishers, and inspectors
NOC 95100 - Labourers in mineral and metal processing
NOC 95101 - Labourers in metal fabrication
NOC 95103 - Labourers in wood, pulp, and paper processing
NOC 95104 - Labourers in rubber and plastic products manufacturing
NOC 95106 - Labourers in food and beverage processing
NOC 95107 - Labourers in fish and seafood processing
Additionally, the following occupation has been added for positions located anywhere in Ontario (both inside and outside the Greater Toronto Area):
NOC 75119 - Other trades helpers and labourers
MLITSD conducted consultations on the Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills stream in fall 2023, and the changes reflect the feedback received.
The amendments took effect on July 1, 2024, and do not impact individuals who have already submitted an application.
The second important update is the increased minimum penalty for contraventions under the Ontario Immigration Act or its regulations.
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has revised the formula used to calculate administrative monetary penalties (AMPs) for employers, representatives, recruiters, and those who acquire a financial benefit from contraventions under the Ontario Immigration Act, 2015 (OIA) or its regulations. The minimum AMP amount has been increased from $2,000 to $10,000 for employers, recruiters, and individuals or bodies that gained a financial benefit from the offense.
For contraventions occurring on or after July 1, 2024, the formula for calculating AMPs is as follows:
AMP Amount = (A × B × C) + D, where:
A = $10,000 if an employer, representative, or recruiter, or if the person or body acquired a financial benefit as a result of the contravention, and $2,000 in any other case,
B = the total number of administrative penalties imposed against the person or body in the previous 10 years, or the number 1 otherwise,
C = the number of applicants involved if the contravention involves applications of multiple persons or bodies, or the number 1 otherwise,
D = the monetary amount that the person or body has received at any time in connection with the contravention.
The third important update is changes to the education requirement for nurses applying to the Express Entry Human Capital Priorities and French-Speaking Skilled Worker streams.
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has updated the educational requirements for nurses applying to the Human Capital Priorities (HCP) and French-Speaking Skilled Worker (FSSW) streams, making it easier for nurses to qualify for the program.
Nurses are exempt from demonstrating that they meet this education requirement if they meet both of the following conditions:
They are registered by the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) in the General, Extended, or Temporary class.
Their primary NOC falls under one of the following occupations:
NOC 31300 – Nursing coordinators and supervisors
NOC 31301 – Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
NOC 31302 – Nurse practitioners
NOC 32101 – Licensed practical nurses
The fourth important update is related to employers with mobile workers.
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has introduced a program update for employers with mobile workers. This update provides specific guidelines and considerations for employers who have employees that work in multiple locations across Ontario or who travel frequently for work. The details of this update are essential for employers to understand how to remain compliant with OINP regulations while employing mobile workers.
Please note that the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has updated its Employer Guide and related Employer Job Offer stream pages to clarify the minimum number of employees that an employer must have when employing mobile workers. This includes employers in industries like construction, where workers may operate at multiple "job" locations.
The updated OINP guidance specifies that when an employer has a mobile workforce, the minimum number of employees required at the location where the applicant will work or report to work can include both:
Employees who work at that location
Employees who report to work at that location
"Report to work" location refers to either:
The location where the applicant’s immediate supervisor or manager works
The administrative office where the applicant will receive work assignments
The minimum number of employees required at the "report to work" location is 5 if the location is within the Greater Toronto Area, and 3 if the location is outside the Greater Toronto Area.
Have any immigration related questions?
Contact us to explore your Canadian immigration options.
