Ontario Restarts PNP Invitations and Announces Major Shift to Employer-Led Immigration Process
Ontario Restarts PNP, Prioritizes Employer-Led Immigration Pathways
After months of silence, Ontario has reactivated its Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) with a fresh wave of invitations to skilled workers and international graduates.
Alongside this move, the province is introducing a transformative new application model that shifts responsibility to employers, changing the way candidates apply for immigration through Ontario’s Employer Job Offer streams.
June 6 Draw Prioritizes Job Offers in Northern Ontario
Ontario conducted a targeted draw on June 6, 2025, specifically for candidates with valid employment offers in the Greater Sudbury region. The draw resulted in 72 invitations being issued across three key categories within the Employer Job Offer stream:
| Stream | Invitations | Lowest Score Selected |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign Worker | 32 | 36 |
| International Student | 34 | 54 |
| In-Demand Skills | 6 | 32 |
Eligibility required applicants to:
- Hold a job offer in Greater Sudbury
- Reside in Canada
- Possess at least a bachelor’s degree
- Have created an Expression of Interest (EOI) profile by June 3, 2025.
Draw Activity Resumes After a Long Break
Ontario’s recent ramp-up in activity comes despite a tighter nomination cap for 2025—10,750 slots—a reduction from previous years as directed by federal allocations.
Game-Changing System Update Set for July 2
In a major policy shift, Ontario is set to launch a new Employer-Driven Expression of Interest system on July 2, 2025, changing how immigration hopefuls can access the Employer Job Offer streams.
Under the new model:
- Employers will initiate the process by submitting job offers through a newly introduced Employer Portal.
- Only after a job is posted by the employer will candidates be able to register an EOI to express interest in the position.
- The program will transition from a paper-based workflow to a fully online system, enhancing speed and transparency.
The updated EOI framework will apply to:
- Foreign Worker Stream
- International Student Stream
- In-Demand Skills Stream
Key Takeaways for Employers and Applicants
Ontario’s updated approach to provincial immigration emphasizes employer participation like never before. The move is expected to:
- Strengthen the authenticity of job offers
- Ensure better matching between employer needs and applicant profiles
- Accelerate processing through digitization.
Prospective immigrants should now prioritize building strong connections with Ontario-based employers and preparing documentation in alignment with the new process.
Ontario’s PNP changes
Stay connected with Universal Adviser for step-by-step guidance on Ontario’s PNP changes, and let our team help you navigate the evolving immigration system for a successful pathway to Canadian permanent residence.
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