Last Updated On 26 June 2026, 12:16 PM EDT (Toronto Time)
Ontario has officially eliminated all eight existing Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program streams and replaced them with the new Ontario Workforce Priority stream effective June 26, 2026.
The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development made the changes through amendments to Ontario Regulation 422/17 under the Ontario Immigration Act, 2015.
This is the single largest structural overhaul in the history of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program.
The OINP redesign consolidates every former pathway into one unified stream with three distinct tracks for skilled workers, essential workers, and self-employed physicians.
The Expression of Interest system is now closed to new registrations, and Ontario expects the new EOI platform to reopen later in the summer.
Thousands of immigration candidates in Ontario who had active profiles under the old system now face a mandatory transition to the new framework.
The Ontario Workforce Priority stream introduces elevated language and education benchmarks that did not exist under several of the former pathways while also creating new advantages for rural employers and licensed professionals.
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3 New Ontario Workforce Priority Pathways
The replacement structure is a single unified stream with three distinct pathways that cover every National Occupational Classification TEER level plus a dedicated physician track.
All three pathways require a full-time and permanent job offer from an Ontario employer, except for the self-employed physicians track, where no job offer is needed.
New TEER 0-3 Pathway
This pathway targets skilled internationally trained workers in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupations as classified under the National Occupational Classification system.
Applicants must hold a full-time and permanent job offer in Ontario and meet several minimum eligibility requirements.
| Requirement | TEER 0-3 Pathway Details |
| Work Experience (Option A) | 6 months consecutive in the last 12 months in the job offer position with the job offer employer |
| Work Experience (Option B) | 3 months consecutive in the last 12 months for recent Ontario graduates, same position with the job offer employer |
| Work Experience (Option C) | 2 years cumulative in the last 5 years in the same NOC occupation |
| Licensed Applicants | Exempt from the work experience requirement |
| Language | CLB 6 minimum (CLB 5 for certain occupations) |
| Education | Post-secondary degree or diploma |
The language and education benchmarks represent an elevation from what many of the former streams required, reflecting Ontario’s stated goal to enhance the calibre of nominees supported by the province.
Recent Ontario graduates receive a meaningful advantage under this pathway with a reduced work experience threshold of just 3 months instead of 6.
This graduate concession applies to candidates who have recently completed a program at a recognized Ontario institution and are already working for the employer making the job offer.
Some occupations may have alternate criteria beyond what is listed above, and candidates should consult the full regulations for detailed requirements specific to their NOC code.
New TEER 4-5 Pathway
The TEER 4-5 pathway covers workers in all TEER 4 and TEER 5 occupations with a qualifying job offer in Ontario.
These are the essential and entry-level occupations that were previously served by the now-closed In-Demand Skills stream under the old program design.
| Requirement | TEER 4-5 Pathway Details |
| Work Experience | 9 months cumulative in the last 2 years in the job offer position with the job offer employer |
| Language | CLB 4 minimum |
| Education | Canadian secondary school diploma or equivalent |
The CLB 4 language floor and secondary school education requirement make this pathway more accessible for workers in manufacturing, agriculture, food processing, and caregiving roles.
Unlike the TEER 0-3 pathway, the work experience requirement here demands 9 months of cumulative experience specifically in the job-offered position with the job-offered employer.
This is a notable departure from the former In-Demand Skills stream, where work experience rules were structured differently, and candidates should carefully review whether their employment history meets the new cumulative threshold.
The 2026 to 2028 Immigration Levels Plan increased provincial nominee admission targets to 91,500 for 2026, which gives Ontario a substantially larger nomination pool to work with under this new pathway.
New Self-Employed Physicians Pathway
Self-employed physicians can qualify for the Ontario Workforce Priority stream without a job offer, making this the only track in the redesigned OINP that does not require arranged employment.
To qualify, physicians must meet all three of the following conditions simultaneously.
They must be a member in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.
They must hold a valid certificate of registration in one of three eligible classes: independent, academic, or provisional.
They must be eligible to bill through the Ontario Health Insurance Plan.
Ontario has been actively recruiting physicians through targeted OINP draws throughout 2026, and the federal government launched a dedicated Express Entry physician category in February 2026 with historically low CRS cutoffs.
Lower Revenue Thresholds For Rural Ontario Employers
The redesigned program introduces reduced gross annual revenue requirements for employers located in rural communities across Ontario.
For the purposes of this program, a rural community is defined as a community located in a census division with a population of less than 150,000 residents.
This provision directly addresses the challenge that regional Ontario employers have faced in competing for immigrant talent against larger employers in urban centres like Toronto.
Ontario ran multiple region-specific OINP draws earlier in 2026 covering Eastern, Northern, Southwestern, and Central Ontario to distribute nominations outside the Greater Toronto Area.
All 8 Former OINP Streams Are Now Closed
This restructuring follows months of regulatory groundwork that began with the March 16, 2026 regulatory amendments granting the Minister authority to create or remove OINP selection streams.
Ontario had already confirmed through amendments in May 2026 that the existing nine selection categories would be formally revoked.
The following table lists every stream that has now been permanently closed under the OINP redesign.
| Former OINP Stream | Status |
| Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker | Closed |
| Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills | Closed |
| Employer Job Offer: International Student | Closed |
| Master’s Graduate | Closed |
| PhD Graduate | Closed |
| Express Entry Human Capital Priorities | Closed |
| Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker | Closed |
| Express Entry Skilled Trades | Closed |
Ontario issued thousands of invitations across these streams throughout early 2026 before the cutoff, including 1,825 invitations on February 2, 1,404 on February 18, and 1,243 on March 18.
The pace accelerated through April, with 759 mining-sector invitations on April 1, 1,334 In-Demand Skills invitations on April 15, and 2,102 regional invitations on April 23.
Applications submitted under a former stream before the redesign took effect will continue to be assessed under the eligibility rules that were in place when the application was filed.
The regulatory amendments also tighten enforcement mechanisms as part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to strengthen program integrity.
The response time for individuals who receive a Notice of Intent to Issue an Administrative Monetary Penalty or Ban order has been reduced from 60 to 30 days.
Notices of contravention can now be sent by email, mail, or in person and are deemed delivered upon sending rather than requiring proof of receipt.
These changes align the OINP’s enforcement timelines with other program processes such as Notices of Intent to Refuse and Notices of Intent to Cancel a Nomination.
What Existing OINP Candidates Need To Know
The EOI system is now closed to new registrations and no further invitations will be issued under any of the former program streams.
EOIs and job offers registered under the former streams that have not resulted in an invitation to apply will be automatically withdrawn over the coming weeks as the EOI and application platforms are updated.
Affected registrants, employers, and authorized representatives will receive a direct notice from the program.
Employers who previously registered in the OINP Employer Portal will not need to register again when the system reopens.
However, employers will need to submit a new job offer and a new application for approval of an employment position to initiate a new EOI for any candidate under the Ontario Workforce Priority stream.
Candidates who are eligible under the new requirements should prepare their documentation now so they can register a new EOI as soon as the system reopens later this summer.
This redesign represents Phase 1 of a planned two-phase overhaul of the OINP.
Ontario received 14,119 nomination spots for 2026 under the federal Provincial Nominee Program allocation, a 31% increase compared to the 10,750 nominations issued in 2025.
The province used its increased allocation aggressively throughout early 2026, issuing more than 10,000 invitations between February and April before the stream closures took effect.
At the federal level, Express Entry continues to operate with recent Canadian Experience Class draws issuing 4,000 invitations at a CRS cutoff of 516 on June 23, 2026.
Provincial nominees who receive their Ontario nomination can enter the Express Entry system with a 600-point CRS boost, virtually guaranteeing an invitation to apply for permanent residence.
Candidates who cannot wait for the new EOI system to reopen should also explore the new PNP work permit rules that took effect on June 9, 2026 to maintain their work authorization while pursuing permanent residence.
Other provinces, including British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, continue to operate their own Provincial Nominee Program streams with active draws and open intakes throughout 2026.
The transition period between the old and new systems creates a window where candidates need to take specific steps to protect their position.
Candidates should book or renew their language tests immediately, because CLB scores are now mandatory across every pathway in the new stream.
Workers in TEER 4-5 occupations who previously had no language requirement under the In-Demand Skills stream must now achieve at least CLB 4 across all four skills to be eligible.
Employers should begin reviewing their job offers against the new eligibility criteria, particularly around wage levels and the full-time permanent employment requirement.
Rural Ontario employers should determine whether their business location falls within a census division under 150,000 to confirm eligibility for the reduced gross annual revenue thresholds.
All candidates and employers should monitor the official OINP program updates page for the announcement of the EOI system reopening date, which Ontario has indicated will happen later this summer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I still apply under the old OINP streams?
No, all the 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.
What happens to my existing EOI or pending application?
EOIs that did not result in an invitation will be automatically withdrawn over the coming weeks. Applications already submitted under a former stream will continue to be assessed under the eligibility rules that were in effect when the application was filed. You will receive a direct notice from the OINP about your specific file.
Do employers need to re-register on the OINP Employer Portal?
Employers who are already registered do not need to create a new registration. However, they must submit a new job offer and a new application for approval of an employment position when the Employer Portal reopens to initiate a new EOI for any candidate under the new stream.
What language score do I need for the new Ontario Workforce Priority stream?
TEER 0-3 pathway applicants need a minimum CLB 6, with CLB 5 accepted for certain occupations. TEER 4-5 pathway applicants need a minimum CLB 4. Self-employed physicians should consult the regulations for specific language requirements.
Is Phase 2 of the OINP redesign confirmed?
Ontario has described this as Phase 1 of a 2-phase redesign. Phase 2 is expected to introduce additional pathways, but Ontario has not confirmed specific launch dates, eligibility rules, or program structures for the second phase. Candidates should monitor the official OINP program updates page for announcements.
Fact-Checked: All information in this article has been verified against the official Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program updates page, Ontario Regulation 422/17 on e-Laws, and the federal Provincial Nominee Program page on canada.ca as of June 26, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is published by Immigration News Canada for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice; consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant or licensed immigration lawyer for guidance specific to your situation.
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