Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program 2026: A Step-by-Step Guide to the New OINP

On May 30, 2026, Ontario revoked every one of its existing provincial nominee streams. Human Capital Priorities, the Master’s and PhD Graduate streams, the employer job offer streams, French-Speaking Skilled Worker, Skilled Trades and the Entrepreneur Stream all closed to new applications. Less than a month later, Ontario launched a single new pathway. If you planned to immigrate through the Ontario PNP in 2026, the rules you read about last year no longer apply.

This guide explains what changed, how the new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream works, who qualifies, how to apply step by step, and what to expect next as Ontario continues its redesign.

What Changed in 2026?

Ontario announced a redesign of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) to create a more consolidated, targeted system. Phase 1 replaced nine former streams with one new stream focused on employer-driven, in-demand jobs.

Ontario has said more reforms will come in future phases, but it had not confirmed replacements for graduate, Express Entry-linked or entrepreneur pathways at the time of writing.

The New Ontario Workforce Priority Stream

Pathway 1: TEER 0 to 3 occupations

This pathway targets skilled workers. Key requirements include:

• A full-time, permanent job offer from an Ontario employer in a TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupation.
• Six months of consecutive work with the employer in the last 12 months (three months for recent Ontario graduates).
• Two years of cumulative experience in the same occupation in the last five years.
• A post-secondary degree or diploma of at least one year of full-time study.
• Language ability of at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 6, or CLB 5 for certain occupations under alternate criteria.
• No ownership stake in the employer’s business.

Pathway 2: TEER 4 and 5 occupations

This pathway now covers workers in all TEER 4 and 5 occupations, not just a short list. Requirements include a full-time, permanent job offer, nine months of cumulative work with the employer in the last two years, a Canadian secondary school diploma or equivalent, CLB 4 or higher, and no ownership stake in the employer’s business.

Pathway 3: Self-employed physicians

A dedicated pathway supports physicians who bill the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) and do not have a traditional employer job offer.

Employer Requirements and Rural Advantage

Because the new stream is employer-driven, the employer’s eligibility matters as much as the candidate’s. Employers must meet OINP requirements, including business revenue thresholds. Ontario set lower gross annual revenue requirements for employers in census divisions with populations under 150,000, which helps smaller communities attract workers.

Ontario's Priority Occupations

Ontario has highlighted occupations such as registered nurses, physicians, software developers, electricians, early childhood educators and transport truck drivers as priorities under the new system. Draws may target specific occupations, regions or pathways.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply to the OINP in 2026

Step 1: Secure a qualifying job offer

Obtain a full-time, permanent job offer from an eligible Ontario employer in an occupation that matches your pathway.

Step 2: Confirm your experience, education and language

Check that your work history with the employer, your occupation experience, your education credential and your language test results meet the pathway’s minimums.

Step 3: Create a new Expression of Interest

Register a new EOI in Ontario’s portal, which opened on August 4, 2026. Profiles from the old system did not transfer, so you must create a new one.

Step 4: Wait for an invitation

Ontario scores EOIs using its published framework and invites candidates in draws.

Step 5: Submit your application

If invited, you and your employer submit a complete application with supporting documents within the deadline.

Step 6: Apply for permanent residence with IRCC

After Ontario nominates you, you apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence.

What If You Applied Before May 30, 2026?

Ontario has confirmed that applications submitted before May 30, 2026 continue under the rules of their original stream. If you were invited under an old stream but did not apply before the deadline, you need to qualify under the new system.

What About Express Entry Candidates?

Under the former system, Ontario regularly selected candidates from the federal Express Entry pool through Human Capital Priorities and other Express Entry-linked streams. Those streams are gone for now. Express Entry candidates without an Ontario job offer should keep their federal profile active and watch for Ontario’s future phases.

Frequently Asked Questions

How This Guide Helps You

Ontario’s 2026 redesign changed almost everything, and old guides now give the wrong advice. This guide helps workers, graduates and employers understand the new system quickly: what closed, what replaced it, who qualifies and how to apply. With that clarity, readers can avoid chasing closed streams, prepare the right documents and act as soon as Ontario opens new opportunities.