2026 OINP Updates: Ontario launches three new pathways to permanent residence
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has seen major changes in 2026. Some of these changes are structural, reshaping how the entire program works. Others are routine invitation rounds that opened and closed throughout the year. If you are currently in the immigration process, or planning to apply, this breakdown covers every significant update from January through June 2026.
June 2026: The Biggest Change Yet
OINP Redesign Phase 1 Launches on June 26, 2026
On June 26, 2026, the Ontario government officially launched Phase 1 of the OINP redesign. This is the most significant structural change to the program in years.
The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development amended Ontario Regulation 422/17 under the Ontario Immigration Act, 2015. These changes took effect on the same day they were announced.
The core shift: the existing 8 streams have been removed. In their place, a single new stream called the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream has been introduced.
What Streams Were Closed?
The following eight streams are now closed permanently as part of the redesign:
- Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker
- Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills
- Employer Job Offer: International Student
- Master’s Graduate
- PhD Graduate
- Express Entry Human Capital Priorities
- Express Entry French-speaking Skilled Worker
- Express Entry Skilled Trades
What This Redesign Is Meant to Do?
According to the Ministry, the redesign aims to:
- Streamline pathways to permanent residence for people with arranged employment in Ontario
- Help employers retain talent in roles that are hard to fill
- Raise the standard of nominees through higher language and education requirements
- Give employers in rural and northern communities more flexibility through adjusted business revenue thresholds
What Happens to Existing EOIs and Applications?
The Expression of Interest (EOI) system is now closed to new submissions. No more invitations will go out under the former streams.
EOIs and job offers registered under the old streams that did not lead to an invitation will be withdrawn over the coming weeks. People affected will receive a notice directly.
If you already submitted a full application after receiving an invitation under a former stream, your application will still be assessed under the rules that were in place when you submitted it. The redesign does not affect applications already in process.
Employers who were previously registered in the employer portal do not need to re-register. Once the portal reopens, they will need to submit a new job offer and a new application to start a fresh EOI under the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream.
The New Ontario Workforce Priority Stream
The Ontario Workforce Priority Stream will have its EOI system open later in the summer of 2026. It covers all NOC TEER categories and includes a special pathway for self-employed physicians.
TEER 0-3 Pathway
This pathway is for skilled workers in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupations with a full-time, permanent job offer in Ontario.
Work Experience: Applicants must meet one of the following:
- 6 consecutive months in the last 12 months in the job offer position with the same employer
- 3 consecutive months in the last 12 months for recent Ontario graduates in the job offer position
- 2 years cumulative in the last 5 years in the same NOC occupation
- Licenced applicants are exempt from the work experience requirement
Language: Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 6, or CLB 5 for certain occupations
Education: A post-secondary degree or diploma
Some occupations may have different criteria. Check the regulations for full details.
Self-Employed Physicians Pathway
Self-employed physicians can qualify for the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream without a job offer. To be eligible, they must:
- Be a member in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
- Hold a valid certificate of registration in an independent, academic, or provisional class
- Be eligible to bill through the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)
TEER 4-5 Pathway
This pathway covers workers in TEER 4 and 5 occupations with a full-time, permanent job offer in Ontario.
Work Experience: 9 cumulative months in the last 2 years in the job offer position with the same employer
Language: CLB 4
Education: A Canadian secondary school diploma or equivalent
Rural Communities: For all three pathways, employers in rural areas will have lower gross annual revenue requirements. A rural community is defined as one located in a census division with a population under 150,000.
Program Integrity Changes
Along with the stream redesign, the OINP also tightened its compliance process. The response time for people who receive a Notice of Intent to Issue an Administrative Monetary Penalty (AMP) or a Ban Order has been cut from 60 days to 30 days.
The Ministry can now send notices of contravention by email, mail, or in person. Notices are now considered delivered once sent, rather than requiring proof of receipt. This aligns the process with other OINP notices and allows faster compliance action.
May 2026
May 29: Regulatory Amendments Effective May 30
On May 29, 2026, the province confirmed that amendments to Ontario Regulation 421/17 under the Ontario Immigration Act would take effect on May 30, 2026. These changes were first announced on March 16 and are preparatory steps toward the OINP redesign.
All applications submitted under the existing OINP framework before this date will be assessed under the rules in place at the time of application.
April 2026
April was one of the most active months for OINP invitation draws. Several rounds went out to candidates across all regions of Ontario.
April 30: GTA Invitation Draw
On April 30, 2026, the OINP issued 1,063 invitations to candidates who may qualify under the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker or International Student streams with a job offer in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
The GTA includes Durham, Halton, Peel, Toronto, and York.
- Foreign Worker Stream: Score of 57 and above. Eligible occupations included roles in tech (software engineers, web developers, IT managers), healthcare (nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists), and skilled trades (carpenters, construction managers).
- International Student Stream: Score of 81 and above. Eligible occupations included roles in tech, healthcare, construction, and logistics.
Eligible profiles must have been created and attested by April 28, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
April 23: Regional Draws (Eastern, Northern, Southwestern, Central Ontario)
On April 23, 2026, the OINP issued invitations across four regions.
| Region | Total Invitations |
| Eastern Ontario | 539 |
| Northern Ontario | 303 |
| Southwestern Ontario | 886 |
| Central Ontario (excluding GTA) | 428 |
Eastern Ontario
Eastern Ontario includes Frontenac, Hastings, Kawartha Lakes, Ottawa, Peterborough, Renfrew, and several other census divisions.
- Foreign Worker Stream: Score of 63 and above. Focus areas: tech, healthcare, engineering, sciences.
- International Student Stream: Score of 87 and above. Similar occupational focus with additions in social services and construction.
- In-Demand Skills Stream: Score of 34 and above. Occupations included shippers and receivers, home support workers, food processing workers, and industrial machine operators.
Northern Ontario
Northern Ontario includes Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Kenora, Timiskaming, and other northern census divisions.
- Foreign Worker Stream: Score of 60 and above. Focus areas: finance, tech, healthcare, mining support, engineering.
- International Student Stream: Score of 87 and above. Broad range covering healthcare, tech, trades, legal, and social services.
- In-Demand Skills Stream: Score of 35 and above. Occupations included material handlers, construction labourers, and machine operators.
Southwestern Ontario
Southwestern Ontario includes Hamilton, Niagara, Windsor-Essex, Middlesex, and surrounding areas.
- Foreign Worker Stream: Score of 60 and above. Wide range of occupations from senior managers and finance professionals to nurses, pharmacists, engineers, and tradespeople.
- International Student Stream: Score of 84 and above. Occupations spanned healthcare, tech, construction, social services, and manufacturing.
- In-Demand Skills Stream: Score of 34 and above. One of the broadest lists, covering assembly workers, machine operators, labourers in rubber and plastic manufacturing, and more.
Central Ontario (Excluding GTA)
Central Ontario (excluding GTA) includes Dufferin, Grey, Simcoe, Waterloo, and Wellington.
- Foreign Worker Stream: Score of 60 and above. Focus areas: healthcare, tech, engineering, education.
- International Student Stream: Score of 85 and above. Similar range with additions in finance and skilled trades.
- In-Demand Skills Stream: Score of 34 and above. Occupations included woodworking machine operators, electronics assemblers, and rubber and plastic labourers.
Eligible profiles for all April 23 draws must have been created and attested by April 21, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
What the Phase 2 Redesign May Look Like?
Phase 1 launched on June 26, 2026. The government has indicated this is a two-phase redesign. Phase 2 details have not yet been announced. The Ontario government has encouraged applicants and employers to monitor the OINP updates page regularly for any further changes.
The EOI system under the new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream is expected to open later in summer 2026.
FAQs
Q: What is the new update for OINP?
As of June 26, 2026, Ontario removed all eight existing OINP streams and replaced them with one new pathway: the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream. It covers all NOC TEER categories from 0 to 5 and includes a route for self-employed physicians. The EOI system is currently closed and will reopen later in summer 2026.
Q: Can I still apply under the old OINP streams?
No. All eight former streams are permanently closed as of June 26, 2026. The EOI system is not accepting new registrations and no further invitations will be issued under any former pathway. You must wait for the new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream EOI system to reopen later this summer.
Q: What are the requirements for the new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream?
For TEER 0-3 jobs, you need a full-time permanent job offer in Ontario, a post-secondary degree or diploma, CLB 6 language scores, and relevant work experience. For TEER 4-5 jobs, the requirements are CLB 4, a Canadian secondary school diploma, and 9 cumulative months with the same employer in the last 2 years. Self-employed physicians qualify without a job offer, as long as they hold valid registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario and can bill through OHIP.