Ontario redesigned the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program in 2026. The former eight OINP streams were removed and the new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream was introduced as the first stream under the redesigned program.
Ontario has now published the eligibility requirements for the new stream. However, candidates should follow Ontario’s current portal instructions before attempting to register, because the province has stated that the new Expression of Interest system will reopen as part of the transition.
Ontario Workforce Priority Stream — How Cambria Law Can Help
The new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream changes how workers and Ontario employers approach provincial nomination.
Cambria Law Firm can review your occupation, job offer, employer eligibility, work experience, language results, education and immigration history to determine whether the new Ontario pathway may fit your circumstances.
The stream currently provides pathways for:
- workers in TEER 0–3 occupations;
- workers in TEER 4–5 occupations; and
- eligible self-employed physicians.
What we review: your NOC classification, job duties, employer eligibility, wage, work experience, language results, education, immigration status and supporting documentation. We also identify whether another provincial or federal immigration option should be considered alongside OINP.
Read our detailed guide to Ontario’s 2026 OINP redesign.
How the New Ontario Workforce Priority Process Works
For most candidates applying with an Ontario job offer, the employer begins the process.
The Ontario employer registers or uses its existing Employer Portal account and submits information about the employment position.
Once the employer submits the job offer, the applicant receives a job offer ID required for Expression of Interest registration.
Under Ontario’s published process, the applicant must register an EOI within 30 calendar days of the employer submitting the job offer.
Ontario may issue invitations based on EOI ranking, labour-market priorities or other selection factors.
After an invitation, the employer and applicant have separate filing responsibilities and deadlines.
Learn more in our Ontario Workforce Priority points and EOI guide .
Current OINP Deadlines
| Action | Published Deadline |
|---|---|
| Register EOI after employer submits job offer | 30 calendar days |
| Employer application after invitation | 14 calendar days |
| Applicant application after invitation | 17 calendar days |
Deadlines matter: the applicant cannot submit the nomination application until the employer has submitted its application for approval of the employment position. Missing an applicable deadline can affect the application process.
Who May Qualify?
TEER 0–3 Workers
The TEER 0–3 pathway is intended for eligible foreign workers with qualifying Ontario employment in NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupations.
Applicants must satisfy the applicable requirements relating to the job offer, work experience or professional authorization, language, education, immigration status where applicable, and intention to live and work in Ontario.
TEER 4–5 Workers
The new structure also creates a pathway for qualifying workers in TEER 4 and TEER 5 occupations.
Read our detailed Ontario Workforce Priority TEER 4–5 guide .
Self-Employed Physicians
Eligible self-employed physicians may qualify under a separate pathway without a traditional Ontario employer job offer.
Other self-employed professionals or contractors without an employer-employee relationship are generally not eligible under the job-offer pathway solely because they provide services in Ontario.
Ontario Employer Requirements Matter
A qualifying job offer alone does not establish OINP eligibility. The Ontario employer must also meet the applicable program requirements.
Depending on the circumstances, Ontario may assess factors including:
- how long the employer has been actively conducting business;
- whether the employer has qualifying business premises in Ontario;
- annual gross revenue;
- the number of Canadian citizens or permanent residents employed;
- the offered position and NOC classification;
- the wage;
- whether the position is full-time and permanent; and
- compliance with Ontario employment and workplace legislation.
Employers can review our OINP employer job-offer mistakes guide.
What Happened to the Former OINP Streams?
Ontario’s 2026 redesign removed the former eight-stream OINP structure.
The former streams included:
- Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker;
- Employer Job Offer: International Student;
- Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills;
- Masters Graduate;
- PhD Graduate;
- Express Entry: Human Capital Priorities;
- Express Entry: French-Speaking Skilled Worker; and
- Express Entry: Skilled Trades.
Ontario has stated that no further invitations will be issued under the former streams.
For the transition history, read: What happened to the old OINP streams in 2026?
What Happened to Existing Applications?
Ontario states that applications already received under the former OINP framework will continue to be assessed according to the eligibility requirements that were in place when the application was submitted.
Already submitted an application? Do not assume the redesign automatically cancelled your file. Continue monitoring your OINP account and any correspondence from Ontario.
What Happened to Old EOI Profiles?
The former Expression of Interest system was closed to new registrations during the redesign, and no further invitations will be issued under the former streams.
Candidates should not assume that an old EOI can simply be reused under the Workforce Priority Stream.
Applicants should follow Ontario’s current portal instructions and, where required, complete a new employer submission and EOI process under the redesigned framework.
Does an OINP Nomination Add 600 CRS Points?
For a nomination issued through an Express Entry-aligned provincial nominee pathway, IRCC awards an additional 600 CRS points after the nomination is accepted in the Express Entry system.
Those 600 points can significantly improve a candidate’s ranking, but Cambria Law Firm does not describe an invitation as “guaranteed.” A candidate must continue to meet the applicable Express Entry requirements and must still receive an invitation from IRCC.
Learn more through our Express Entry strategy services.
Key Facts — OINP 2026
| Item | Current Position |
|---|---|
| Former OINP structure | Former 8 streams removed in the 2026 redesign |
| New stream | Ontario Workforce Priority Stream |
| Current pathways | TEER 0–3, TEER 4–5 and eligible self-employed physicians |
| Job-offer process | Employer initiates the process through the Employer Portal |
| EOI registration deadline | 30 calendar days after employer submits the job offer |
| Employer deadline after invitation | 14 calendar days |
| Applicant deadline after invitation | 17 calendar days |
| Express Entry provincial nomination | 600 additional CRS points where applicable |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the OINP closed?
No. Ontario is redesigning the program. The former eight streams were removed and Ontario introduced the new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream. Ontario has published the new eligibility requirements, while candidates should continue to follow the province’s current portal and EOI reopening instructions.
Can I register for the new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream?
Ontario has published the stream requirements and application process. However, the province’s current transition notices state that the new EOI/e-Filing system is reopening as part of the redesign. Check the current Ontario portal status before attempting to register.
Do I need an Ontario employer?
Workers applying under the job-offer pathways generally require a qualifying Ontario job offer and employer participation. Eligible self-employed physicians have a separate pathway that may allow them to qualify without a traditional employer job offer.
How long do I have to register an EOI?
Under Ontario’s published Workforce Priority process, an applicant must register an EOI within 30 calendar days after the employer submits the job offer through the Employer Portal.
What happens if I receive an invitation?
For a job-offer application, the employer generally has 14 calendar days to submit its application for approval of the employment position. The applicant generally has 17 calendar days to submit the nomination application and pay the applicable fee.
What happened to my EOI under an old OINP stream?
Ontario closed the former EOI system and stopped issuing invitations under the old streams. Do not assume that a former EOI carries over to the new Workforce Priority process.
What if I already submitted an application under a former stream?
Ontario states that applications already received under the former framework will be assessed according to the eligibility requirements in place when they were submitted.
Does meeting the minimum requirements guarantee an invitation?
No. Eligibility and selection are different. Ontario may rank candidates or target invitations according to labour-market and human-capital factors.
Does an Ontario nomination guarantee permanent residence?
No. Provincial nomination and federal permanent residence are separate stages. Where a nomination is linked to Express Entry, it can add 600 CRS points, but IRCC remains responsible for invitations and the final permanent residence decision.
OINP and Ontario Workforce Priority Assistance in Mississauga
Ontario’s redesigned program requires applicants and employers to understand a substantially different process from the former OINP structure.
Contact Nav Aujla and Vick Sidhu at Cambria Law Firm to discuss Ontario Workforce Priority eligibility, employer requirements, an existing OINP application or another immigration strategy. Nav Aujla is a Lawyer and Vick Sidhu is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC).
Immigration Disclaimer: This page provides general immigration information and does not constitute legal advice or a guarantee of eligibility, invitation, nomination or permanent residence. OINP rules, portal availability, selection criteria and immigration policies may change. Advice should be based on the applicant’s and employer’s individual 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 — OINP e-Filing Portal and Redesign Information:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/how-use-oinp-e-filing-portal
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — Express Entry Provincial Nomination:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/provincial-nominees/express-entry/get-confirm-nomination.
