- Employment type
- Permanent (no fixed end date)
- Hours
- Full time, generally 1,560+ hours per year
- Wage
- At or above the prevailing wage for that occupation and region
- Occupation
- Must match your qualifying work experience (same NOC)
- Location
- A physical business premises in Ontario where you will work
- Employer age
- Generally 3+ years of active operation
- Revenue & staffing
- Minimum thresholds, lower outside the GTA
- LMIA required?
- No, that's a separate federal work permit process
- Who files first
- The employer, through Ontario's Employer Portal
What the offer itself must contain
Permanent
No fixed end date. A two-year contract, however well paid, is not a permanent position. Renewable fixed term arrangements do not convert into permanence: the letter has to describe ongoing employment.
Full time
Generally at least 1,560 hours a year, roughly 30 hours a week year-round. Two part time roles totalling full time hours do not combine.
At or above the prevailing wage
Prevailing wage is the typical wage for that occupation in that region. Meeting it is an eligibility gate; exceeding it earns points in bands at $20, $25, $30, $35 and $40/hour. Regional jobs may have a lower prevailing wage but earn up to 15 more region points, the arithmetic rarely favours the higher-cost city.
In the same occupation as your experience
The NOC on the offer must match your qualifying experience NOC. Reference letters are compared to the offer duties. Check your NOC and TEER →
Genuine
A real position the business currently needs, at a real workplace, that would exist without the application. Offers created for applications, with no premises, or where the "employer" is a relative attract scrutiny and are a common refusal ground.
What your employer must prove
Employers pass their own eligibility test via the Employer Portal before you register. Ask early; this is not fixable inside a 30 day window.
| Requirement | What it means | Outside the GTA |
|---|---|---|
| Years in business | Active, continuous operation, generally three years or more | Same |
| Gross annual revenue | A minimum revenue threshold set by Ontario | Lower |
| Permanent full time staff | A minimum number of existing permanent employees | Lower |
| Physical premises | A business location in Ontario where you will actually work | Same |
| Recruitment effort | Evidence the role was advertised and Canadians were considered | Same |
| Compliance history | Good standing under employment standards, health and safety, labour law | Same |
Ontario sets exact revenue and staffing thresholds by regulation; the bar is lower outside the GTA. Confirm on ontario.ca Workforce Priority. Much online content predates the June 2026 rebuild.
Why a regional employer is doubly advantageous
- Easier to qualify. Revenue and staffing thresholds are lower outside the GTA.
- Worth more points. Region factor: Northern Ontario 15, other outside GTA 10, GTA excluding Toronto 5, City of Toronto 0.
- Often a lower prevailing wage bar, easier for the employer to write; wage points often stay in the same band.
Multi-site employers, which address is on the offer is deliberate; one of few factors that can move 15 points with a signature. Model both locations side by side →
Red flags that sink offers
- A job title that doesn't match the duties. NOC follows work performed, not the letter label.
- A newly incorporated employer. Under three years is usually fatal.
- No physical workplace. Fully virtual arrangements struggle against the premises requirement.
- A wage set precisely at a scoring threshold with no market basis. Below prevailing fails; suspiciously round invites review.
- A family relationship with the employerthat isn't disclosed. Not automatically disqualifying; it raises the genuineness bar.
Job offer FAQ
What applicants and employers ask before committing to the process.
What makes a job offer eligible for the OINP?
Five things must all be true: permanent (no fixed end date), full time (at least 1,560 hours a year), wage at or above the prevailing wage for the occupation and region, occupation matching your qualifying experience, and a genuine currently needed position rather than one created for the application.
Does my employer have to qualify for the OINP too?
Yes, and they file first. Generally three or more years of active operation, minimum revenue and permanent full time staffing, physical Ontario premises where you work, recruitment effort, and good standing under employment standards and health and safety law.
Are employer requirements lower outside the GTA?
Yes. Lower revenue and staffing thresholds outside the GTA. That aligns with regionalization scoring: a regional employer is easier to qualify and worth up to 15 more points.
What is the prevailing wage and why does it matter?
The typical wage for that occupation in that region. Your offer must meet or exceed it. Below prevailing wage means ineligible regardless of points; it is a gate, not a scoring factor.
Does a part time or seasonal job offer count?
No. The offer must be full time and permanent. Seasonal, temporary, fixed term, and part time roles, even at a high hourly rate; do not qualify.
Can the job offer be in a different occupation than my experience?
No. It must be the same occupation as your qualifying experience. A different NOC does not count. Reference letters must describe duties that match the NOC on the offer.
Does the employer need an LMIA?
Not for the OINP. An LMIA is a federal work permit process and is separate. Ontario runs its own employer eligibility and recruitment checks.
Can I change jobs after I'm nominated?
It is risky. A nomination is tied to the supporting job offer; changing employers can undermine the nomination and later permanent residence. Speak to a professional before moving between nomination and landing.