The OINP Employer Job Offer – International Student stream is designed for recent graduates of Ontario colleges and universities who have secured a permanent, skilled job offer from an Ontario employer. It bridges the gap between academic completion and permanent residence, rewarding graduates who have already demonstrated their commitment to building a life in Ontario. Unlike the Masters Graduate or PhD Graduate streams — which require an active Express Entry profile but no job offer — this stream pairs academic achievement with employer support.

Applicants must have graduated from an Ontario post-secondary institution in the past 2 years, studied in Ontario for at least 2 academic years, and have a job offer in a NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation from an Ontario employer who has first obtained an OINP Position Approval. Provincial fees are $1,500; processing at the provincial stage takes 90–120 days, followed by approximately 7 months at the federal stage for Express Entry-linked nominees.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must have graduated from an Ontario college or university in the past 2 years
• Must have a permanent, full-time job offer from an Ontario employer in NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3
• Must have studied in Ontario for at least 2 academic years
• Language: CLB 7 for NOC TEER 0 or 1; CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3
• Employer must submit position approval via OINP Employer Portal
• Must intend to live and work in Ontario

Who Qualifies

To be eligible for this stream, candidates must satisfy all of the following requirements simultaneously:

• Ontario graduation: Must have a degree, diploma, or certificate from an eligible Ontario college or university (publicly funded institution).
• Study duration: Must have studied in Ontario full-time for at least 2 academic years (typically equivalent to 4 semesters or 2 full years).
• Recency: Must have graduated within the past 2 years at the time of the OINP application.
• Job offer: Permanent, full-time job offer in a NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation from an Ontario employer with OINP Position Approval.
• Language: CLB 7 for TEER 0 or 1 occupations; CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3 occupations.
• Intent: Must intend to live and work in Ontario permanently.

Private career colleges and institutions outside Ontario do not qualify. International students who attended out-of-province Canadian schools can use the BC PNP International Graduate stream or other provincial alternatives, but not the OINP International Student stream. Confirming that your Ontario institution is on the OINP-eligible list is the first step in any application strategy.

Application Process

The International Student stream follows the same two-stage employer–candidate structure introduced in July 2025.

1. Employer obtains Position Approval through the OINP Employer Portal — confirm the employer is aware of this requirement and timeline (typically 4–10 weeks).
2. Candidate confirms eligibility — verifies graduation date, study duration, and NOC classification of the job offer using the NOC Finder.
3. Candidate registers in the OINP e-Filing Portal and links to the employer’s Position Approval.
4. OINP application submitted with all required documents; provincial fee of $1,500 is paid.
5. OINP assessment — approximately 90–120 days. Officers may request additional documents.
6. Provincial nomination issued — Certificate of Nomination received. EE-linked nominee updates their profile for +600 CRS points.
7. Federal PR application submitted to IRCC — approximately 7 months (EE-linked) or 13 months (base stream).

Documents and Common Issues

Required documents include: Ontario graduation transcript and degree or diploma; OINP Employer Position Approval and job offer letter; PGWP or current study permit; language test results meeting CLB thresholds; any previous employment reference letters supporting the job offer qualification; and police clearance certificates.

A common issue arises when graduates have been working in part-time or co-op roles and claim these as qualifying work experience for the NOC. OINP looks at the job offer itself and the candidate’s ability to perform the duties — not necessarily prior work in that exact NOC. However, having relevant work experience strengthens the application. Another frequent complication is the 2-year graduation window: candidates who graduated more than 2 years before the application date are ineligible, even if they are still on a PGWP. Planning the application timeline carefully to remain within this window is essential.

How VGIS Can Help

VGIS, through Dimple Verma RCIC-IRB #R708308, helps Ontario international student graduates navigate the employer coordination required for this stream, identify the correct NOC for their job offer, and prepare a complete, consistent document package that minimises refusal risk.

To discuss your graduation timeline, current work permit status, and job offer details, book a paid consultation at vgis.ca/book-consultation/.

Fees & Costs

Fee Component	Amount (CAD)
Government Fee	Provincial: $1,500. Federal PR: $1,525 principal applicant
Biometrics	$85 individual / $170 family

Fees current as of 2026. IRCC may update fees periodically — confirm on the official source link below before paying.

Key Documents Required

• Ontario graduation transcript and degree/diploma
• Employer job offer and OINP Position Approval
• PGWP or study permit
• Language test results
• Employment reference letters
• Police clearances

Frequently Asked Questions

I graduated from an Ontario college 22 months ago. Am I still eligible?

Yes, provided you submit your OINP application before your 2-year graduation anniversary. The 2-year window is calculated from the date of graduation (or the date your degree was conferred) to the date you submit the OINP application — not the date you receive the nomination. Act promptly to avoid missing this window.

I studied 1 year in another province and 1 year at an Ontario college. Do I qualify?

No. The stream requires at least 2 full academic years of study specifically at an Ontario institution. Time spent at institutions outside Ontario does not count toward the 2-year Ontario study requirement, even if the institutions are within Canada.

Can I use this stream if my job offer is in a TEER 4 or 5 occupation?

No. This stream is restricted to NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupations. For TEER 4 job offers from Ontario employers with at least 12 months of tenure with the same employer, the In-Demand Skills stream may be an option. For TEER 4 and 5 positions, provincial options are more limited.

Does the language requirement depend on the language of the workplace or on a formal test?

A formal IRCC-approved language test result is required — either IELTS General Training or CELPIP for English, or TEF Canada or TCF Canada for French. Proof that you studied in English in Ontario does not satisfy this requirement. Your test must be recent (typically within 2 years) and must meet the CLB threshold applicable to your NOC TEER level.

My employer says they are too busy to deal with OINP paperwork. What can I do?

Since July 2025, employer participation (Position Approval) is mandatory — there is no way to proceed without it. VGIS can work directly with your employer’s HR team to explain the process, prepare the required documents, and submit the Position Approval application on their behalf (with a signed authorisation). Employers often find the process more manageable once an authorised representative guides them through it.

Official Government Source: https://www.ontario.ca/page/oinp-employer-job-offer-category

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Disclaimer: This page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Immigration laws and IRCC policies change frequently. For advice specific to your case, please book a paid consultation with our licensed RCIC-IRB. VG Immigration Services Inc. — Dimple Verma, RCIC-IRB #R708308.