Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream

On May 30, 2026, the Ontario government officially revoked all nine OINP nomination streams — including the Human Capital Priorities Stream — under Ontario Regulation 47/26. This is the largest single change to the OINP since the program began. No new applications can be submitted under the old stream categories after this date.

Applications submitted before May 30, 2026 will be assessed under the eligibility criteria that were in place at the time of submission.

As of June 2026, Ontario has not yet published the eligibility rules for replacement streams. The province is moving toward a mandatory Employer Portal model with targeted, occupation-specific pathways. Candidates currently in the Express Entry pool should monitor the official OINP Program Updates page for new stream announcements.

If you received a Notification of Interest (NOI) before May 30, 2026, you may still be eligible to apply. Contact a licensed immigration consultant to assess your options.

Draw Requirements

The federal government confirmed Ontario's 2026 nomination allocation at 14,119 nominations — a 31% increase from the 10,750 slots issued in 2025, though still below the 2024 peak of 21,500. This increase is part of Canada's national expansion of Provincial Nominee Program targets from 55,000 to 91,500 admissions in 2026.

If you received a Notification of Interest (NOI) from Ontario, check the OINP Program Updates page to find the specific draw details. Ensure you meet both the draw requirements and the stream requirements listed below before submitting your application.

Before the May 30 overhaul, Ontario conducted several draws targeting specific occupations and regions. Below is a summary of the most recent draw activity under the Human Capital Priorities and Employer Job Offer streams.

Latest OINP Draws in 2026

Before the May 30 overhaul, Ontario conducted several draws targeting specific occupations and regions. Below is a summary of the most recent draw activity under the Human Capital Priorities and Employer Job Offer streams.

Ontario Tech Draws: A Dedicated Pathway for Tech Workers

Ontario has historically run targeted Tech Draws under the Human Capital Priorities Stream to attract skilled workers in the technology sector — particularly those looking to join Ontario's Toronto-Waterloo tech corridor.

Who Qualifies for a Tech Draw?

To be considered in a tech-targeted draw, candidates must:

Have an active Express Entry profile (FSW or CEC)

Meet all Human Capital Priorities Stream requirements

Have verified work experience in an eligible technology NOC code

Eligible Tech NOC Codes include:

• NOC 21220 – Cybersecurity Specialists
• NOC 21221 – Business Systems Specialists
• NOC 21222 – Information Systems Quality Assurance Analysts
• NOC 21223 – Database Analysts and Data Administrators
• NOC 21230 – Computer Systems Developers and Programmers
• NOC 21231 – Software Engineers and Designers
• NOC 21232 – Software Developers and Programmers
• NOC 21233 – Web Designers
• NOC 21234 – Web Developers and Programmers
• NOC 21311 – Computer Engineers (except Software Engineers)
• NOC 22220 – Computer Network Technicians
• NOC 22221 – User Support Technicians

Key Advantage: In tech draws, Ontario typically targets a lower CRS score range than general HCP draws, because the primary selection factor is your occupation rather than your overall score. This gives tech candidates with mid-range CRS scores a competitive advantage.

Stream Requirements

Status as of June 2026: The Human Capital Priorities Stream has been revoked as part of the OINP overhaul effective May 30, 2026. The requirements below reflect the criteria that were in effect prior to the overhaul. Applications submitted before May 30 will be assessed under these rules. Replacement stream details have not yet been published.

1. Work Experience

You must qualify under one of the following federal programs:

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

• At least one year of continuous, full-time paid work experience (or part-time equivalent).
• Must be in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupations under Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC).
• Work must have been gained within the last five years before applying.
• Experience must be in the same primary NOC listed in your Express Entry profile.
• Work can be inside or outside Canada.
• Self-employment may qualify if verifiable through third-party documentation, such as client references and payment records.Professional organizing employment history documents and a laptop on a wooden desk, representing skilled work experience.

Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

• At least one year of cumulative, full-time paid work experience (or part-time equivalent) in Canada.
• Must be in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 NOC occupations.
• Work must have been gained within the last three years before applying.
• If selected in a targeted draw, at least six months of work must be in your primary NOC occupation.
• Experience must be obtained legally while maintaining valid status in Canada.

2. General Work Experience Rules (Both FSWP & CEC)

• Work must total at least 1,560 hours over a minimum one-year period.
• Part-time work can qualify if hours add up correctly (e.g., 15 hours/week for two years).
• Work in regulated occupations in Ontario is only counted after proper licensing.
• Unpaid work, internships, and volunteer roles do not count.
• Self-employed work does not qualify under CEC, except for physicians in certain NOC categories.
• Work during full-time studies is not eligible.
• Regular sick leave and vacation time do not break the continuity of employment, but extended leaves do.

Make sure your Express Entry profile is accurate and up to date to avoid disqualification.

3. Education Requirements

To qualify, you must have a Canadian bachelor's, master’s, or PhD degree or an equivalent foreign credential.

Exceptions for Nurses

If you are a registered nurse in Ontario, you do not need to prove your education if: ✔️ You are registered with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) in the General, Extended, or Temporary class. ✔️ Your primary NOC is one of the following:

• NOC 31300 – Nursing Coordinators and Supervisors
• NOC 31301 – Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses
• NOC 31302 – Nurse Practitioners
• NOC 32101 – Licensed Practical Nurses

Foreign Education – Credential Assessment

If you earned your degree outside Canada, you must get an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to confirm equivalency to a Canadian credential.

🔹 Designated ECA Providers:

• Comparative Education Service – University of Toronto
• International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS)
• International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES)
• International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)
• Medical Council of Canada (for doctors)
• Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (for pharmacists)
• World Education Services (WES)

Fees and processing times vary by provider, so check their websites for details.

Submitting Your ECA Report

• Your ECA report must be less than 5 years old when applying.
• You must authorize OINP to verify your report directly with the issuing organization.

How to Share Your ECA Report with OINP:

• Comparative Education Service (CES): Submit an online request form.
• Medical Council of Canada: Log into your physiciansapply.ca account, select “Other service requests,” and request a file transfer to ontarionominee@ontario.ca.
• World Education Services (WES): Order a report and select "Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program" as the recipient.
• Other providers: No additional steps are required.

🚨 Important: Authorizing your ECA results for IRCC is not enough—you must specifically authorize OINP to access your assessment.

3. Language Requirements

You must demonstrate proficiency in English or French at a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 or higher in all four skills: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.

Approved Language Tests

You must take an approved test before submitting your application. The test must be taken within the last two years from your application submission date.

Accepted English tests:

• IELTS General Training (Academic version and One Skill Retake are not accepted)
• CELPIP General Test
• PTE Core Test (PTE Academic is not accepted)

Accepted French tests:

• TEF Canada (Test d'évaluation de français)
• TCF Canada (Test de connaissance du français)

For more details, visit the official English and French language test websites.

4. Settlement Funds

You must show that you have enough financial resources to support yourself and your dependent family members when settling in Canada.

Dependent family members include your spouse or common-law partner, and children under 22 years old (including their children).

You can meet this requirement using one or a combination of the following: bank statements showing sufficient funds or investments such as fixed deposits or mutual funds, annual earnings from a current job in Ontario, or a valid job offer from an Ontario employer.

For example, if your required settlement funds amount to $29,000 and you have a job offer with an annual salary of $25,000 plus $5,000 in savings, your total of $30,000 meets the requirement.

If your bank statement includes a large one-time deposit, you may be asked to provide proof that the funds are not borrowed or under any financial obligation.

5. Intention to Live in Ontario

You must show a genuine intention to settle in Ontario after becoming a permanent resident. Acceptable evidence includes current or past employment in Ontario, job applications or offers from Ontario employers, education history in Ontario, volunteering experience, property ownership or rental, previous visits, and professional networks or family ties in the province.

Your ties to Ontario will be evaluated to confirm your commitment to living there.

6. Legal Status in Canada (If Applicable)

If you are applying from within Canada, you must have valid legal status at the time of your application and maintain it until you receive a nomination. Qualifying documents include a Visitor Record, Study Permit, or Work Permit.

You can also apply if you have maintained status (previously known as implied status). This means you submitted an application to renew or extend your status before it expired and are legally permitted to stay in Canada and continue working or studying under the same conditions while awaiting a decision from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

7. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) Criteria

If you are being assessed under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), you must score at least 67 points across six selection factors: Education, Language Proficiency (English or French), Work Experience, Age, Arranged Employment in Canada, and Adaptability (such as past work or study experience in Canada, or family ties).

Your eligibility will be determined based on this points-based system.

Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream Document Checklist

You must provide a scanned copy of the Notification of Interest (NOI) letter you received through your IRCC online account. A screenshot of the letter is acceptable, but it must clearly show the date it was sent to your IRCC account.

Applicant Consent Form

Complete, sign, and upload the Applicant Consent Form in the "Required Documents" section after receiving your invitation to apply and reviewing your application for accuracy in the e-filing portal.

Identity Documents

1. Photograph

Upload a clear, high-quality photo that meets passport or visa photo requirements. The photo can be a scanned copy of a physical photo or a digital image. Photos of your passport's personal details page and blurry or low-quality images are not accepted.

2. Passport

Upload scanned copies of your personal details page (the page with your name, photo, and passport number) and all pages containing Canadian visas and entry stamps.

Status Documents in Canada (If Applicable)

Upload scanned copies of all current and previous status documents issued by IRCC or CBSA, including work permits, study permits, temporary resident visas, and any other Canadian immigration documents.

If you have maintained status, upload one of the following: a letter from IRCC acknowledging receipt of your application to extend status, an IRCC fee receipt, or a post office mailing receipt if applicable.

Education Documents

For a Canadian Degree

Upload a copy of your degree certificate and official transcripts from a Canadian academic institution.

For a Foreign Degree

You must obtain an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to prove your education is equivalent to a Canadian degree. Your ECA report must be less than five years old at the time of application, and you must authorize the issuing organization to share your results with OINP electronically.

How to authorize OINP access to your ECA:

• CES (University of Toronto): Submit an online request form.
• MCC (Medical Council of Canada): Log in to physiciansapply.ca, go to Other service requests, and enter ontarionominee@ontario.ca as the recipient email.
• WES (World Education Services): Order a copy of your ECA report online and select Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program as the recipient.
• ICAS, IQAS, ICES, and PEBC: No extra steps are required.

Do not mail a duplicate paper copy to OINP.

Nurses – Exemption from Education Requirement

If you are registered with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) in the General, Extended, or Temporary class, you do not need to meet the education requirement if your primary NOC is one of the following:

• NOC 31300 – Nursing Coordinators and Supervisors
• NOC 31301 – Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses
• NOC 31302 – Nurse Practitioners
• NOC 32101 – Licensed Practical Nurses

Upload a printout of your CNO registration certificate from the "Find a Nurse" registry. If you are being assessed under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and claiming education points, you must also upload either your Canadian credential or your ECA report.

Language Test Results

Upload a scanned copy of your language test results. The test must have been taken within two years before your application submission date, and you must score CLB 7 or above in all four language abilities. Ensure no text is cut off in the scanned document.

Accepted English tests:

• IELTS General Training only
• CELPIP General test only
• PTE Core (PTE Academic is not accepted)

Accepted French tests:

• TEF Canada
• TCF CanadaHands holding an official document with abstract score grids next to a laptop on a wooden desk, preparing for digital upload.

Documents to Prove Employment in Ontario

1. Job OfferIf applicable, upload a scanned copy of your full-time job offer from an Ontario employer.
2. Work PermitIf you're currently working in Ontario for the same employer who offered you a job, upload a scanned copy of your work permit.
3. Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)If applicable, upload a scanned copy of your LMIA for the work permit.

Work History Documents

1. Employment Reference LettersUpload scanned copies of reference letters from all your employers, both foreign and Canadian, covering all work periods. The letters should:

• Be on company letterhead with contact details
• Include your job title, responsibilities, and employment dates
• State your salary, working hours, and any leave periods

You may also submit supporting documents like job descriptions or performance reviews.

Hands in a professional suit organizing official employment documents next to a laptop on a wooden desk.

1. Proof of CompensationUpload proof of compensation for your work experience. This may include:

• Pay slips or bank statements
• Income tax documents
• Employer letters confirming salary details

1. Canada Revenue Agency DocumentsIf you worked in Canada, upload your T4 Statements or Notice of Assessment (NOA) for the relevant years.
2. Regulated OccupationIf applicable, upload a copy of your professional license or authorization.
3. Self-Employment DocumentsIf self-employed, upload documents like:

• Business registration or ownership proof
• Income tax returns and T4A (if self-employed in Canada)
• Client references or invoices

1. Work Contracts (Optional)You may upload your work contracts, if applicable.
2. Other Work-Related Documents (Optional)Include any other relevant documents to support your work experience.

Documents to Prove Settlement Funds

• Upload your most recent bank statements showing the last three months of activity, confirming your available funds.
• You may also submit statements for investments (e.g., fixed deposits or mutual funds) with confirmation letters from the financial institution.

For ongoing employment in Ontario, upload:

• Your two most recent pay slips
• A signed job offer detailing your occupation, duties, wage, and start date

Intention to Reside in Ontario

To show your intention to live in Ontario, list your ties to the province, including:

• Employment or job offers in Ontario
• Education, volunteer work, or professional networks in Ontario
• Family ties or property ownership

If no ties are available, submit a statement of intent to reside in Ontario.

Family Documents

1. PassportsUpload a copy of the personal details page from the passport of each dependent family member.
2. Status Documents (If Applicable)Upload any current or previous status documents (e.g., work permits or study permits) for your spouse or common-law partner.
3. Canadian Education DocumentsIf your spouse or partner studied in Canada, upload copies of relevant documents from the Canadian institution.
4. Canadian Work Experience DocumentsUpload reference letters from Canadian employers detailing the job duties, salary, and benefits. Also, include proof of compensation such as T4 statements.

Language Test Results for Spouse/Partner (If Applicable)

If required, upload your spouse's or partner's language test results (CLB 4 or above).

Accepted tests include:

• IELTS (General Training)
• CELPIP (General)
• PTE Core

For French, we accept:

• TEF Canada
• TCF Canada

Documents for Relatives in Canada

If you or your spouse/partner has a relative who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, upload:

• Relative's birth certificate and citizenship/permanent resident documents
• Proof of the relative's residency in Canada (e.g., property or employment documents)

Relatives include parents, siblings, children, and more.

How to Apply For Human Capital Priorities Stream

The Human Capital Priorities Stream is a passive process — you cannot apply directly. Ontario searches the Express Entry pool and selects candidates. Your job is to have a complete, competitive profile ready when Ontario comes looking.

Here is the full process from start to finish.

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

Before creating an Express Entry profile, confirm that you qualify under either the Federal Skilled Worker Program or the Canadian Experience Class. You must meet the work experience, education, and language requirements for at least one of these programs. Candidates eligible only under the Federal Skilled Trades Class do not qualify for this stream.

Step 2: Create Your Express Entry Profile

Submit your profile to the federal Express Entry pool through your IRCC online account. Make sure your profile is accurate and complete — work experience, education credentials, language scores, and NOC codes must all reflect your current situation. Under "Province of Interest," select Ontario or "All Provinces and Territories."

Step 3: Improve Your CRS Score

While waiting to be selected, focus on strengthening your profile. A higher CRS score improves your chances of receiving a Notification of Interest, particularly in general draws. Retaking your language test, completing additional education, or securing a qualifying job offer in Ontario can all increase your score.

Step 4: Receive a Notification of Interest (NOI) from Ontario

Ontario periodically searches the Express Entry pool and issues NOIs to candidates who meet its criteria for that draw. You will receive the NOI through your IRCC online account. Not all eligible candidates receive an NOI — Ontario selects based on its labour market priorities at the time of each draw.

Step 5: Apply to the OINP Within 45 Days

After receiving your NOI, you have 45 calendar days to submit a complete application through the OINP e-Filing Portal. Applications submitted after this deadline will not be processed. The application fee is $1,500 CAD and is non-refundable if your application is unsuccessful.

Step 6: Submit Your Supporting Documents

Along with your application, you must upload all required documents — identity documents, language test results, education credentials or ECA report, work experience reference letters, proof of settlement funds, and any status documents if you are in Canada. Incomplete applications are the most common cause of delays and refusals.

Step 7: Wait for a Decision from Ontario

The OINP typically processes complete applications within 60 to 150 days. You can check your application status through the OINP e-Filing Portal. Make sure your Express Entry profile remains valid and up to date throughout this period. If your profile expires while your application is being processed, notify the OINP immediately.

Step 8: Accept Your Provincial Nomination

If Ontario approves your application, you will receive a nomination letter through your IRCC online account. You have 30 calendar days to accept the nomination. Once accepted, your CRS score increases by 600 points.

Step 9: Receive a Federal Invitation to Apply (ITA)

With 600 additional CRS points, you will receive an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence at the next available Express Entry draw. This effectively guarantees a federal ITA.

Step 10: Apply for Permanent Residence

After receiving your ITA, you have 60 days to submit a complete application for Canadian permanent residence to IRCC. Federal PR processing for Express Entry-linked nominations runs approximately 6 to 8 months in 2026. IRCC makes the final decision on your permanent residence application — Ontario's nomination does not guarantee PR, but approximately 90 to 95 percent of nominees are approved.

The entire process from NOI to permanent residence typically takes 9 to 14 months, depending on how quickly you gather documents and current IRCC processing volumes.