The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has publicly released a list of applicants, employers and immigration consultants penalised for violating the Ontario Immigration Act, 2015. The enforcement bulletin, dated 27 October 2025, details almost CA$500,000 in monetary penalties and bans of up to ten years.
Infractions range from submitting fraudulent job offers to acting as unlicensed representatives. Base fines were quintupled last year—from $2,000 to $10,000—meaning individual contraventions now attract penalties of up to $150,000. Repeat offenders risk permanent bans from the program.
For corporates relying on the OINP’s Employer Job Offer streams to secure talent quickly, the message is clear: due-diligence standards are rising. Companies must verify that third-party recruiters are licensed and that job offers meet prevailing-wage and genuineness tests.
The bulletin also serves as a cautionary tale for foreign candidates tempted by shortcuts. Immigration lawyers expect federal authorities to replicate Ontario’s name-and-shame approach as Ottawa moves to curb fraudulent activity across economic streams.
Mobility teams should audit their OINP files, ensure all compliance records are up to date, and brief hiring managers on the elevated reputational risks of non-compliance.
Infractions range from submitting fraudulent job offers to acting as unlicensed representatives. Base fines were quintupled last year—from $2,000 to $10,000—meaning individual contraventions now attract penalties of up to $150,000. Repeat offenders risk permanent bans from the program.
For corporates relying on the OINP’s Employer Job Offer streams to secure talent quickly, the message is clear: due-diligence standards are rising. Companies must verify that third-party recruiters are licensed and that job offers meet prevailing-wage and genuineness tests.
The bulletin also serves as a cautionary tale for foreign candidates tempted by shortcuts. Immigration lawyers expect federal authorities to replicate Ontario’s name-and-shame approach as Ottawa moves to curb fraudulent activity across economic streams.
Mobility teams should audit their OINP files, ensure all compliance records are up to date, and brief hiring managers on the elevated reputational risks of non-compliance.
