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Updated August 2026
Ontario has redesigned the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). The former eight-stream structure has been removed and the new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream has launched. The current stream includes pathways for workers in TEER 0–3 occupations, workers in TEER 4–5 occupations, and eligible self-employed physicians.
This article was originally published during Ontario’s 2026 OINP transition. The program has since moved beyond the initial closure period, so candidates should no longer rely on transition-era information stating that Ontario’s replacement pathway had not yet launched.
The most important change is that Ontario has replaced its former program structure with a new employer-connected model focused on workforce needs.
Here is the current position, what happened to former OINP applications and EOIs, and what workers and employers in Mississauga, Brampton and across Ontario should know now.
What Changed in the OINP in 2026?
Ontario announced the first phase of its OINP redesign on June 26, 2026. Regulatory amendments to Ontario Regulation 422/17 came into force on June 25, 2026.
The changes removed the former eight OINP streams and introduced the new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream.
Current Position
Ontario now identifies the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream as the active OINP stream. Applicants should assess eligibility under the new requirements rather than relying on the criteria of the former streams.
Ontario has described the Workforce Priority Stream as the first phase of a broader two-phase redesign intended to better connect immigration selection with labour-market needs.
Read our detailed guide to the OINP redesign and Ontario Workforce Priority Stream
What Happened to the Former Eight OINP Streams?
The former OINP structure included employer-based, graduate and Express Entry-related pathways. Those former streams are now closed as part of the redesign.
| Former Stream | Current Status |
|---|---|
| Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker | Former stream closed |
| Employer Job Offer: International Student | Former stream closed |
| Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills | Former stream closed |
| Masters Graduate | Former stream closed |
| PhD Graduate | Former stream closed |
| Express Entry: Human Capital Priorities | Former stream closed |
| Express Entry: French-Speaking Skilled Worker | Former stream closed |
| Express Entry: Skilled Trades | Former stream closed |
The earlier version of this article referred to nine categories. Ontario’s official 2026 redesign materials identify eight former streams.
What Replaced the Former OINP Structure?
The first new stream is the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream.
It currently provides three categories:
| Current Category | General Focus |
|---|---|
| TEER 0–3 | Eligible workers with qualifying Ontario employment in NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupations |
| TEER 4–5 | Eligible workers with qualifying Ontario employment in NOC TEER 4 or 5 occupations |
| Self-Employed Physician | Eligible self-employed physicians who may qualify without an employer job offer |
For a detailed explanation of the lower-TEER pathway, read our
Ontario Workforce Priority Stream TEER 4–5 guide
.
Important: The existence of a category does not mean every worker within that TEER level automatically qualifies. Applicants and employers must meet the applicable stream, job-offer, work-experience, language, education and employer requirements.
How the Ontario Workforce Priority Process Works
For applicants using a job offer, the new process begins with the Ontario employer.
Step 1 — Employer Submits the Job Offer
The Ontario employer registers through the Employer Portal and submits information about the proposed employment position.
The Ontario employer registers through the Employer Portal and submits information about the proposed employment position.
Step 2 — Applicant Registers an EOI
After the employer submits the job offer, the applicant receives a job offer ID. The applicant must register an Expression of Interest within 30 calendar days of the employer submitting the job offer.
After the employer submits the job offer, the applicant receives a job offer ID. The applicant must register an Expression of Interest within 30 calendar days of the employer submitting the job offer.
Step 3 — Ontario May Issue an Invitation
OINP may rank candidates generally or target candidates based on labour-market or human-capital attributes.
OINP may rank candidates generally or target candidates based on labour-market or human-capital attributes.
Step 4 — Employer and Applicant Apply
If an invitation is issued, the employer and applicant each have separate filing responsibilities and deadlines.
If an invitation is issued, the employer and applicant each have separate filing responsibilities and deadlines.
Learn more about OINP scoring and selection in our
Ontario Workforce Priority points guide
.
Current OINP Deadlines After an Invitation
Deadlines Matter
Ontario publishes separate deadlines for the employer and applicant after an invitation to apply. Missing a deadline can result in the job offer being withdrawn or the EOI being removed from the selection pool.
| Action | Current Deadline |
|---|---|
| Employer application for approval of employment position | 14 calendar days from the invitation date |
| Applicant nomination application and fee | 17 calendar days from the invitation date |
The applicant cannot submit the nomination application until the employer has submitted its application for approval of the employment position.
What Happened to Applications Submitted Under the Former Streams?
Ontario has confirmed that applications already submitted following an invitation under a former OINP stream continue to be assessed using the eligibility requirements that were in effect when the application was submitted.
Already Submitted an Application?
Do not assume that the 2026 redesign automatically cancelled a properly submitted OINP application. Existing applications under the former framework are subject to the transition rules that apply to those files.
Applicants should continue monitoring their OINP account and correspondence for requests, decisions or additional instructions.
Contact Cambria Law Firm if you need help reviewing the status of an existing OINP application
.
What Happened to Old OINP EOI Profiles?
EOIs and job offers registered under the former streams that did not result in an invitation to apply were withdrawn as Ontario transitioned to the redesigned system.
An old EOI should therefore not be assumed to carry forward into the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream.
For a new job-offer-based application, the current process generally requires:
- the employer to submit a new qualifying job offer through the Employer Portal;
- the applicant to receive the corresponding job offer ID;
- the applicant to register a new EOI within the applicable period; and
- Ontario to issue an invitation before an application can be submitted.
Employers that previously registered in the Employer Portal do not necessarily need to create a completely new employer account, but the current job offer and position must follow the new process.
Who May Qualify Under the New Stream?
TEER 0–3 Workers
The TEER 0–3 category is intended for eligible foreign workers with qualifying full-time and permanent Ontario job offers in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupations.
Applicants must meet the applicable requirements concerning work experience or professional authorization, language, education, legal status where applicable, and intention to live and work in Ontario.
TEER 4–5 Workers
The TEER 4–5 category creates a provincial nomination pathway for eligible workers in lower-TEER occupations who meet the applicable job-offer and program requirements.
Ontario’s regulations establish different requirements for TEER 4–5 applicants, including language requirements.
Self-Employed Physicians
Eligible self-employed physicians have a separate category and may qualify without a traditional employer job offer.
Other self-employed professionals generally cannot use the job-offer pathway simply because they provide services in Ontario. The exception is specifically designed for qualifying self-employed physicians.
What Ontario Employers Need to Know
Employer participation is central to the new job-offer pathways.
A qualifying employer must satisfy Ontario’s current employer and employment-position requirements, which can include:
- being in active business for the required period;
- having an Ontario business premises where the applicant will work;
- meeting applicable revenue requirements;
- meeting applicable Canadian citizen or permanent resident employee requirements;
- offering an eligible employment position;
- meeting applicable wage requirements; and
- complying with Ontario employment and workplace-safety legislation.
Employers should also review our guide to
common OINP employer job-offer mistakes
.
Does Meeting the Requirements Guarantee an OINP Invitation?
No.
Meeting minimum eligibility criteria does not guarantee that Ontario will issue an invitation to apply.
Ontario may rank Expression of Interest candidates generally or conduct targeted selections based on labour-market and human-capital characteristics.
Applicants must distinguish between:
- eligibility to participate in the stream;
- EOI scoring and ranking;
- receiving an invitation;
- receiving a provincial nomination; and
- receiving permanent residence from IRCC.
The federal government makes the final decision on permanent residence.
What Should GTA Candidates Do Now?
| Your Situation | Practical Next Step |
|---|---|
| Ontario job offer in TEER 0–3 | Check the current applicant, job-offer and employer requirements under the Workforce Priority Stream. |
| Ontario job offer in TEER 4–5 | Assess the TEER 4–5 category and confirm language, experience, education and employer eligibility. |
| Old EOI but no former-stream invitation | Do not assume the former EOI remains valid. Assess eligibility under the current stream and follow the new registration process. |
| Former-stream application already submitted | Continue monitoring the existing application. Ontario says these applications are assessed under the eligibility rules that applied when submitted. |
| Former Masters, PhD or Express Entry OINP candidate | Do not assume the old pathway remains available. Review the current OINP and federal immigration options that apply to your circumstances. |
| Work permit expiring | Assess temporary-status and permanent-residence options separately rather than assuming an OINP EOI extends status. |
Candidates considering federal options may also review Cambria Law Firm’s
Express Entry strategy services,
Canadian Experience Class services,
work permit services.
Common OINP Mistakes to Avoid in 2026
- Relying on eligibility requirements from one of the former eight streams.
- Assuming an old EOI automatically transferred into the new system.
- Registering an EOI before the employer has completed the required job-offer step.
- Missing the 30-day EOI registration period after the employer submits the job offer.
- Missing the employer’s 14-day deadline after an invitation.
- Missing the applicant’s 17-day application deadline.
- Choosing a NOC based only on a job title rather than actual job duties.
- Assuming meeting minimum eligibility requirements guarantees an invitation.
- Assuming a provincial nomination itself guarantees permanent residence.
- Ignoring employer eligibility or wage requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the OINP closed?
No. The former eight-stream structure was removed, but Ontario has launched the new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream.
No. The former eight-stream structure was removed, but Ontario has launched the new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream.
What is the current OINP stream?
Ontario currently identifies the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream as the new active stream. It includes TEER 0–3, TEER 4–5 and self-employed physician categories.
Ontario currently identifies the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream as the new active stream. It includes TEER 0–3, TEER 4–5 and self-employed physician categories.
Do I need an Ontario job offer?
Applicants under the TEER 0–3 and TEER 4–5 pathways generally require a qualifying Ontario job offer and employer participation. Eligible self-employed physicians have a separate pathway that does not require a traditional job offer.
Applicants under the TEER 0–3 and TEER 4–5 pathways generally require a qualifying Ontario job offer and employer participation. Eligible self-employed physicians have a separate pathway that does not require a traditional job offer.
What happened to my old OINP EOI?
EOIs registered under former streams that did not result in an invitation were withdrawn during the redesign. Candidates should assess whether they qualify to register under the current system.
EOIs registered under former streams that did not result in an invitation were withdrawn during the redesign. Candidates should assess whether they qualify to register under the current system.
What if I already submitted an OINP application under an old stream?
Ontario states that applications submitted under the former framework continue to be assessed according to the eligibility requirements that applied when the application was submitted.
Ontario states that applications submitted under the former framework continue to be assessed according to the eligibility requirements that applied when the application was submitted.
How long do I have to register an EOI after my employer submits a job offer?
Under the current Workforce Priority process, the applicant must register an EOI within 30 calendar days after the employer submits the job offer through the Employer Portal.
Under the current Workforce Priority process, the applicant must register an EOI within 30 calendar days after the employer submits the job offer through the Employer Portal.
How long do my employer and I have after an OINP invitation?
For job-offer pathways, the employer generally has 14 calendar days to submit the application for approval of the employment position, while the applicant has 17 calendar days to submit the nomination application and fee.
For job-offer pathways, the employer generally has 14 calendar days to submit the application for approval of the employment position, while the applicant has 17 calendar days to submit the nomination application and fee.
Does meeting the Workforce Priority requirements guarantee an invitation?
No. Eligibility does not guarantee selection. Ontario may rank or target EOI candidates before issuing invitations.
No. Eligibility does not guarantee selection. Ontario may rank or target EOI candidates before issuing invitations.
Need Help With the New OINP Structure?
The Ontario Workforce Priority Stream creates a substantially different process for applicants and employers compared with the former OINP structure.
Contact Nav Aujla and Vick Sidhu at Cambria Law Firm to discuss OINP eligibility, employer requirements, an existing application or another Ontario immigration strategy. Nav Aujla is a Lawyer and Vick Sidhu is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC).
View Cambria Law Firm’s OINP and Ontario Workforce Priority services
Immigration Disclaimer: This article provides general immigration information only and does not constitute legal advice or a guarantee of eligibility, invitation, nomination or permanent residence. OINP rules, selection criteria, draws, portal procedures and immigration policies may change. Individual advice should be based on the applicant’s and employer’s specific circumstances.
Official Sources
- Government of Ontario. 2026 Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program Updates.
https://www.ontario.ca/page/2026-ontario-immigrant-nominee-program-updates
- Government of Ontario. Ontario Workforce Priority Stream.
https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-workforce-priority-stream
- Government of Ontario. Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program Application Process.
https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-immigrant-nominee-program-oinp-application-process
- Government of Ontario. Ontario Regulation 422/17 — General.
https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/170422
