Ontario Invites Skilled Workers in Northern Ontario Through Employer Job Offer Streams

Ontario recently issued 348 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to skilled candidates in Northern Ontario through its Employer Job Offer streams. The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) invited candidates with a valid job offer from an employer in Northern Ontario on 28th August 2025. The targeted draws are designed to attract skilled professionals and international students who already have a job offer in Ontario. It aims to support both Northern Ontario communities and regions under the Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) pilot. This proves yet again that Ontario’s immigration efforts to address the specific economic and demographic challenges by attracting the right skilled immigrants to the region.

Key Insights Into Recent OINP Draw

The provincial government sent invitations to individuals registered under three streams:

• Foreign Worker Stream
• International Student Stream
• In-Demand Skills Stream

This initiative aims to address labour market shortages and promote economic growth in the northern part of the province. A total of 348 invitations went to candidates in the Expression of Interest (EOI) pool with job offers in Northern Ontario. This region covers several Census Divisions, including:

• Muskoka, Haliburton, Nipissing, Parry Sound, Manitoulin
• Sudbury and Greater Sudbury/Grand Sudbury
• Timiskaming, Cochrane, Algoma
• Thunder Bay, Rainy River, and Kenora

These areas are seeking newcomers with expertise across diverse industries, from healthcare and engineering to IT, finance, and skilled trades. For this round, candidates required a minimum score of 53 under the Foreign Worker stream and 66 under the International Student stream.

Also, candidates need a job offer in any of the following NOC codes:

Regional Economic Development Through Immigration (REDI) Pilot

Alongside Northern Ontario, the province also issued 138 invitations under the REDI pilot. This initiative focuses on strengthening smaller communities such as Lambton, Lanark, and Leeds & Grenville.

Through the REDI stream, candidates were considered under:

• Foreign Worker stream (minimum score: 45)
• International Student stream (minimum score: 68)

The NOC list eligible includes:

• In-Demand Skills stream (minimum score: 34)

You need a job offer in any of the following NOC codes:

This approach helps distribute talent more evenly across Ontario, ensuring that not only large cities but also regional communities benefit from skilled newcomers.

Application Process: What Candidates Should Know

If you received an invitation on August 28, here’s a quick overview of the next steps:

1. Employer Involvement – Employers must submit the application for job position approval through the Employer Portal within 14 days of the invitation.
2. Candidate Application – Candidates must log into the OINP e-Filing Portal and submit their application, along with payment, within 17 days of receiving the invitation.
3. File Numbers – You’ll notice a new application file number with the prefix JOXX. Don’t worry if your EOI file appears greyed out—this is intentional.

It’s important to review the program requirements and the document checklist to ensure a smooth application.

Why This Matters

Ontario’s focus on regions like Northern Ontario and REDI communities demonstrates the province’s commitment to balanced economic growth. Skilled workers, healthcare professionals, and tradespeople play a vital role in filling labour shortages, while international students gain pathways to permanent residency and long-term careers in Canada.

By targeting specific occupations through the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system, Ontario ensures that the invitations align with real labour market needs, whether it’s doctors, engineers, nurses, IT specialists, or skilled trades professionals.

Final Takeaway:

Ontario’s latest Employer Job Offer draws highlight the province’s strong demand for skilled workers, international graduates, and in-demand professionals across healthcare, IT, skilled trades, and more. These targeted invitations are not just numbers; they represent real opportunities for candidates who are ready to contribute to Ontario’s growing communities.

However, navigating the OINP process, Employer Portal requirements, and documentation can feel overwhelming. That’s where we come in. At Onkar Immigration, we specialize in guiding candidates and employers through every step of the application process, ensuring compliance, accuracy, and the best possible chance of success.

✨ Whether you’re a skilled worker with a job offer, an international student seeking permanent residency, or an employer looking to fill labour gaps, our team is here to help turn invitations into approvals.

📩 Contact us today to discuss your eligibility, and let’s build your pathway to Ontario together.

admin

See Full Bio