For a job-offer applicant under Ontario’s Workforce Priority Stream, the approved employer and employment position remain central to the nomination after approval. Resigning, being terminated or moving to another employer may result in the employment approval and nomination being cancelled—even if the federal permanent residence application has already been submitted.

Who does this guidance apply to?

This article focuses on applicants nominated under the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream based on an approved job offer. Different considerations may apply to eligible self-employed physicians and applications submitted under a former OINP stream before Ontario’s 2026 redesign.

Ontario’s regulatory changes took effect on June 25, 2026, replacing eight former streams with the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream. Its new expression-of-interest system opened on August 4, 2026. Applications already submitted following a valid invitation under a former stream continue to be assessed under the requirements in effect when they were filed. ontario.ca

Does the employment obligation end at nomination?

No. Where a nomination is based on a job offer, the employer approval and the specific employment position form the basis of that nomination.

If the applicant was already working for the employer when the OINP application was filed, Ontario states that the person must remain employed in the approved position until nomination and throughout the post-nomination period—until the permanent residence application is approved or refused.

If the applicant was not yet working in the position, the offer must take effect when the person obtains the required work permit and begins working. The employer must then provide the approved wage and comply with the other terms of the job offer. ontario.ca

What happens if the nominee resigns or is terminated?

Ontario’s current instructions state that if the approved employment is terminated by either the employer or the nominee and the employment-position approval is cancelled, the nomination may also be cancelled.

This risk does not necessarily disappear because the termination resulted from a layoff, business closure or another circumstance beyond the worker’s control. The nomination was issued on the basis of a particular approved employer and position.

The OINP says it cannot change an approved employment position after nomination. A nominee who still wishes to pursue permanent residence through this stream may need a new employer-submitted job offer, a new EOI and another invitation. ontario.ca

Can the nomination be transferred to a new employer?

Not simply.

A new employer cannot take over the previous employer’s approved position by issuing a replacement offer. The new employer must qualify independently and begin the applicable Employer Portal process. The worker may then need to register a new EOI and wait to be invited.

Workers should therefore distinguish between two separate issues:

• whether they may legally work for the new employer under federal work-permit rules; and
• whether their existing Ontario nomination remains valid.

Obtaining authorization to work for a new employer does not, by itself, preserve an OINP nomination tied to the previous employer.

What if the federal PR application has already been submitted?

Submitting the permanent residence application does not remove the provincial nomination conditions. Ontario defines the nomination period as continuing until the PR application is approved or refused.

For an Express Entry provincial nominee, IRCC provides specific instructions if a province withdraws the nomination. If the nomination is withdrawn after the PR application has already been submitted, IRCC states that the application will be refused and the processing fees will not be refunded. Canada.ca

A non-Express Entry PNP applicant must also update IRCC if the province withdraws the nomination. Canada.ca

Can a nominee accept a promotion?

A promotion is not automatically prohibited. The OINP Employer Guide says an employer proposing a promotion should notify the program and provide:

• a revised job offer signed by the employer and nominee;
• the nominee’s current work permit;
• the nominee’s two most recent pay statements; and
• any additional information requested by the OINP.

Ontario may issue an updated work permit support letter where necessary. ontario.ca

However, the current Workforce Priority Stream page also says the OINP cannot change an approved employment position after nomination. A material change in title, NOC or duties should therefore be reported and reviewed before it is implemented. A nominee should not assume that every promotion will be accepted as a continuation of the approved position.

Which employment changes must be reported?

Ontario instructs employers to report changes to employment terms immediately. Relevant changes may include:

• job title, NOC or duties;
• wage or benefits;
• hours of work;
• permanent versus temporary employment;
• work location;
• an extended leave or interruption;
• withdrawal of the job offer; and
• resignation, layoff or termination.

The OINP’s Post-Nomination Verification Unit may contact employers and nominees to confirm that approval conditions remain satisfied. Failure to disclose a material change may affect both the employment-position approval and the nomination.

FAQ

Q1. Can I move to a better employer after receiving my nomination?
You may be able to change employment under applicable work-permit rules, but the original OINP nomination may be cancelled if it was based on the previous employer and approved position. The nomination cannot simply be transferred.

Q2. What if I was laid off through no fault of my own?
A layoff may still affect the nomination because the approved employment formed its basis. Notify the OINP immediately and review whether a new EOI and application will be required.

Q3. Can I accept a promotion with the same employer?
Possibly, but the change should be reported before implementation. Ontario may request a revised offer, current work permit and recent pay statements, and a material change may require further review.

This article provides general information and is not individualized legal advice. The result will depend on the nomination approval letter, the applicable stream and rules, the nature of the employment change and the federal PR processing stage.