Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is Ontario's section of Canada's Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). It allows the province to nominate skilled workers, graduates, and business people for permanent residence based on local labour market needs. In 2026, the program underwent its largest structural change since launching in 2007.

On June 26, 2026, Ontario replaced all eight existing OINP streams with a single new pathway: the Ontario Workforce Priority (OWP) Stream. If you were planning an application under the Masters Graduate, PhD Graduate, Foreign Worker, or any other former stream, those pathways no longer exist. This page explains the current program structure, who can qualify under the new framework, and what to do if your previous strategy needs to change.

What Changed: The 2026 OINP Overhaul

Ontario began signalling a full redesign in late 2025. A stakeholder consultation closed January 1, 2026. On March 16, 2026, Ontario passed O. Reg. 47/26, amending Ontario Regulation 422/17 under the Ontario Immigration Act, 2015, revoking all nine nomination categories effective May 30, 2026. On June 26, 2026, Phase 1 of the redesigned program launched with the Ontario Workforce Priority (OWP) Stream.

Streams permanently closed as of June 26, 2026:

• Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream
• Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream
• Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream
• Human Capital Priorities Stream (Express Entry-linked)
• Skilled Trades Stream (Express Entry-linked)
• French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream (Express Entry-linked)
• Masters Graduate Stream
• PhD Graduate Stream
• Entrepreneur Stream and Regional Immigration Pilot

Ontario Workforce Priority (OWP) Stream: The New OINP

The Ontario Workforce Priority (OWP) Stream is Ontario's only active provincial nomination pathway. It consolidates the former eight streams into three distinct pathways based on occupation skill level and employment type.

The most significant change from the old system: a full-time, permanent job offer from a registered Ontario employer is now required for two of the three pathways. The Graduate streams that allowed nomination without a job offer have been permanently eliminated. International graduates now need employer support to qualify.

Pathway 1: Skilled Workers (TEER 0-3)

For internationally trained workers in higher-skilled occupations.

Pathway 2: Essential Workers (TEER 4-5)

For workers in lower-skilled or intermediate occupations.

Pathway 3: Self-Employed Physicians

This pathway does not require a conventional job offer.

Employer Registration Requirements

Employers who support an OWP application must be registered and approved in the OINP Employer Portal before a candidate can apply — a requirement that did not uniformly exist under the previous streams.

• GTA employers: Gross annual revenue of at least $1,000,000
• Rural employers (census divisions with populations under 150,000): Gross annual revenue of at least $500,000
• Employers must maintain a minimum number of full-time employees, with thresholds varying by company size and region

OINP Allocation for 2026

Ontario confirmed on February 6, 2026, that it received 14,119 nomination slots from the federal government — a 31% increase from 10,750 in 2025. Access to those nominations depends on the structure and timing of all replacement pathways, including Phase 2 streams that have not yet launched.

Benefits of the OINP

A provincial nomination from Ontario remains one of the most effective routes to Canadian permanent residence:

• 600 CRS points: Candidates with an active Express Entry profile who receive an Ontario nomination are awarded 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System points — in practice enough to guarantee an Invitation to Apply in the next eligible draw.
• Direct PR pathway: Candidates without an Express Entry profile can use their nomination to apply directly to IRCC for permanent residence through the non-Express Entry paper stream.
• Labour market alignment: The new OWP stream prioritizes workers already employed in Ontario, giving candidates with proven ties to the province an advantage.
• Rural access: Lower employer revenue thresholds give candidates working with smaller northern or regional businesses a more realistic path to nomination than the old framework allowed.

How to Apply Under the OWP Stream

Important: As of July 2026, the OINP Expression of Interest (EOI) system is closed to new registrations. Ontario stated the new EOI system is expected to reopen later in summer 2026. No confirmed date has been provided. Use this period to prepare your documentation so you can submit immediately when the portal opens.

When the portal reopens, the general process will be:

1. Confirm employer registration: Your employer must be registered and approved in the OINP Employer Portal before you can submit an EOI. This step cannot be skipped.
2. Register your EOI: Submit your Expression of Interest through the OINP portal once it reopens. Your profile will be scored and ranked within the pool.
3. Wait for an invitation: Ontario issues invitations from the EOI pool through targeted draws. There is no set schedule — invitations are announced on the OINP website as they happen.
4. Submit your application: If invited, you will have a set window to complete and submit your full nomination application with supporting documents.
5. Receive nomination and apply for PR: A successful application results in a Certificate of Nomination. Use it to apply for permanent residence through Express Entry or directly to IRCC.

Documents to prepare now (before the portal reopens):

• Language test results (IELTS General Training, CELPIP, or PTE Core for English; TEF Canada or TCF Canada for French) — must typically be no more than two years old
• Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) if your degree is from outside Canada
• Proof of work experience with the job offer employer
• Job offer letter from a registered Ontario employer
• Proof of Canadian temporary resident status (if applying from inside Canada)

What Happened to Old EOIs and Pending Applications

Applications submitted and assessed as complete before June 26, 2026 are legally protected and will be assessed under the eligibility rules in effect at the time of filing.

EOIs registered under former streams that did not generate an invitation to apply are being automatically withdrawn during the transition. OINP notifies affected candidates directly. If your EOI did not result in an invitation, you will need to submit a new EOI under the OWP stream once the portal reopens, if you qualify under the new eligibility criteria.

Draw History: Final Rounds Under the Old Streams (2026)

All draws below were conducted under the former OINP streams before the June 26, 2026 revocation. No further draws will be issued under these programs. Draws under the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream are expected to begin once the new EOI system reopens.

What Influences OWP Draw Scores

The OWP stream uses an Expression of Interest (EOI) system to rank and invite candidates. Based on the regulatory framework established under O. Reg. 47/26 and Ontario's stated labour market priorities, key scoring factors include:

• NOC code and TEER level: Positions in TEER 0 and 1 typically score higher within the TEER 0-3 pathway. TEER level directly determines which pathway a candidate falls under.
• Wage level: Compensation at or above the median Ontario wage for the offered occupation strengthens an EOI profile.
• Time with the offering employer: Longer tenure — particularly six months or more in the job offer role — demonstrates labour market attachment and scores well.
• Language proficiency: Scores above the minimum CLB threshold improve ranking within the EOI pool.
• Ontario work or study history: Candidates already working or studying in Ontario present a stronger case for provincial ties.
• Education: Post-secondary credentials must meet Canadian equivalency standards. Higher credentials support ranking within the TEER 0-3 pathway.
• Rural employer location: Candidates with job offers from employers in census divisions with populations under 150,000 may benefit from regional-specific draw rounds, similar to how regional draws operated under the old framework.

Phase 2 Streams: What Ontario Has Announced

Ontario's redesign is structured in two phases. Phase 1 introduced the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream on June 26, 2026. Phase 2 is expected to bring three additional streams later in 2026:

• Priority Healthcare Stream: Targeting nurses, physicians, and allied health professionals to address provincial labour shortages
• Exceptional Talent Stream: For applicants with advanced credentials or specialized expertise
• Entrepreneur Stream: For business owners and investors planning to operate businesses in Ontario

Ontario has not published launch dates, eligibility criteria, or intake timelines for any Phase 2 stream. Entrepreneurs and healthcare professionals who do not qualify as self-employed physicians under the OWP should monitor official announcements before committing to an Ontario-specific strategy.

What Happens After Getting an OINP Nomination?

After receiving a Certificate of Nomination under the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream, the next step is applying to IRCC for permanent residence.

For candidates with an active Express Entry profile, the nomination adds 600 CRS points, which in practice is sufficient to receive an Invitation to Apply in the next eligible draw. You must accept the nomination in your Express Entry profile to trigger this bonus. Once you receive an ITA, you have 60 days to submit a complete permanent residence application online.

For candidates without an Express Entry profile, Ontario nomination allows you to apply directly to IRCC through the non-Express Entry paper-based stream. This process takes longer than the online system but remains a valid pathway to permanent residence.

IRCC makes the final decision on all permanent residence applications. A provincial nomination significantly strengthens your file but does not guarantee approval.

What to Do If Your OINP Plan Has Changed

If you had an active EOI that did not result in an invitation: Your EOI is being withdrawn. Review your NOC code and TEER level, confirm whether you meet OWP requirements, and prepare to register a new EOI when the portal reopens.

If you were relying on the Masters Graduate or PhD Graduate stream: Both are permanently closed. If you hold a graduate degree and can obtain a full-time, permanent Ontario job offer in a TEER 0-3 occupation, you may qualify under the OWP skilled worker pathway. If not, review your eligibility for Express Entry, Canadian Experience Class, or other provincial nominee programs.

If you were targeting an Express Entry-linked OINP stream (Human Capital Priorities, Skilled Trades, or French-Speaking Skilled Worker): These streams no longer exist in Ontario. If your federal Express Entry profile remains active, you are still in the federal pool and may receive an invitation through federal category-based or CEC draws. Consider whether another province's PNP aligns with your profile through the broader Provincial Nominee Program.

If your application was already submitted under a former stream before June 26, 2026: Your application is protected and no action is needed. It will be assessed under the rules that applied when you filed.

Tips to Improve Your Position Under the New OWP Framework

Getting a nomination through the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream requires the same fundamental preparation as the old program — but the criteria have shifted significantly toward employer-driven eligibility.

1. Confirm your NOC code and TEER level first Your TEER classification determines which OWP pathway you fall under and sets the language, education, and experience requirements you need to meet. Verify your NOC code against the current NOC 2021 system before preparing any other documents.

2. Secure a qualifying job offer from a registered employer Under the OWP, employer support is not optional for most applicants. Confirm that your employer has registered — or is willing to register — in the OINP Employer Portal. Employers in rural communities qualify under lower revenue thresholds, which may open options outside the GTA.

3. Prepare your documents before the EOI system reopens When the portal opens, candidates who can submit complete profiles immediately will be better positioned. Complete your language testing, obtain your Educational Credential Assessment if needed, and gather employment documentation now.

4. Monitor official OINP announcements Ontario has not confirmed an EOI reopening date or a draw schedule under the OWP stream. Check ontario.ca/page/ontario-immigrant-nominee-program-oinp directly for updates rather than relying on third-party summaries.

5. Review federal options in parallel With the OINP EOI system currently closed and Phase 2 timelines unknown, running a parallel federal strategy — through Express Entry or another province's PNP — makes sense for most candidates. Ontario nomination is valuable, but it should not be your only path.

If your situation has changed as a result of the 2026 overhaul, SEP Immigration can help you assess your options under the OWP stream and federal programs. Sepehr Falahati (RCIC, R533959) is a regulated Canadian immigration consultant based in North York, Ontario. Book a free eligibility assessment or schedule a consultation to review your next steps.

Employer Job Offer Category:

Applicants must have a full-time, permanent job offer from an eligible Ontario employer. Requirements include:

• A job that meets wage and skill level standards.
• The employer must meet specific business standards.
• Divided into streams for foreign workers, international students, and in-demand skills.

Business Category:

Entrepreneurs looking to start or buy a business in Ontario must meet financial and business experience criteria:

• The net worth and investment required depend on the business's location (higher for the Greater Toronto Area).
• Candidates must have experience managing a business and be ready to create job opportunities for Canadians or permanent residents.
• All applicants must show proof of settlement funds. For example, a single applicant needs $14,690, while a family of four requires $27,297. These funds must be readily available and cannot be borrowed.