June 25, 2026
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program is one of Canada’s biggest routes to permanent residence, and in 2026 it works in a completely new way. On 26 June 2026, Ontario closed all of its old streams and replaced them with a single new one, the Ontario Workforce Priority stream. The change came through amendments to Ontario Regulation 422/17 under the Ontario Immigration Act, 2015. The new stream has three pathways instead of eight separate programs.
Key Takeaways for Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program 2026
- Major change: Ontario removed all 8 old streams on 26 June 2026 and launched the Ontario Workforce Priority stream in their place.
- Three pathways: TEER 0-3 skilled workers, TEER 4-5 essential workers, and self-employed physicians.
- Job offer: Two of the three pathways need a full-time, permanent Ontario job offer. Only physicians are exempt.
- Status now: The Expression of Interest (EOI) system is closed. Ontario says it should reopen later in summer 2026.
- Why it changed: A federal rule (SOR/2026-63) made Ontario fully responsible for each nominee, so the province tightened its own rules.
What Is the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program?
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is the province’s economic immigration program. It lets Ontario nominate skilled workers who fill the jobs the province needs. A nomination is helpful because it adds 600 points to your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score in the Express Entry pool.
Ontario runs the program with the federal government (IRCC). For 2026, Ontario received 14,119 nomination spots, up about 31 percent from 10,750 in 2025. That is the largest share of any province, but still below the 2024 peak of 21,500. To compare this route with the federal one, read our guide on Express Entry vs PNP.
OINP 2026 Changes: What Happened on 26 June
On 26 June 2026, Ontario amended its regulations and shut down all eight legacy streams at once. The Foreign Worker, International Student, In-Demand Skills, Masters Graduate, PhD Graduate, Human Capital Priorities, French-Speaking Skilled Worker, and Skilled Trades streams no longer exist.
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program now runs through one stream instead of eight. The EOI system stopped taking new profiles, and old profiles that never got an invitation are being withdrawn.
International graduates are most affected by OINP 2026 changes. The old Masters and PhD streams let them get nominated on their degree alone, with no job offer. Now graduates must apply like other skilled workers, with a job offer in hand.
Why did Ontario change the rules? A federal change called SOR/2026-63 made the province fully responsible for each nominee, with no federal officer left to refuse a weak case. That safety net is gone, so Ontario now screens employers and applicants more strictly.
The Three Ontario PNP Pathways in 2026
The new Ontario PNP pathways sort every applicant into one of three groups. Your group depends on your job and whether you have an Ontario job offer. The table below shows them side by side.
Feature | TEER 0-3 pathway | TEER 4-5 pathway | Self-employed physicians |
Who it fits | Skilled and professional roles | Essential and intermediate roles | CPSO-registered doctors |
Job offer | Yes, full-time and permanent | Yes, full-time and permanent | Not needed |
Language | CLB 6 (CLB 5 for some trades) | CLB 4 | Set by CPSO |
Education | Post-secondary degree or diploma | Secondary school diploma | Medical degree |
Wage requirement | Regional median wage | Regional median wage | Self-employed |
TEER 0-3 Pathway for Skilled Workers
This pathway is for management, professional, technical, and trades roles. You need a full-time, valid Ontario job offer, CLB 6 in all four language skills, and a post-secondary degree or diploma. Work experience is flexible. You can qualify with six months in the offered job, two years in the same occupation over the last five years, or an exemption if you hold an Ontario licence.
TEER 4-5 Pathway for Essential Workers
This pathway covers essential roles like healthcare support, food service, and manufacturing. You need CLB 4 and a secondary school diploma. The difference is the work rule: nine months with the same Ontario employer in the offered job within the last two years.
Self-Employed Physicians
Doctors get the easiest route. Self-employed physicians need no job offer at all. You must be must be a licensed member of College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO), hold a valid certificate of registration, and be eligible to bill through OHIP.
Not sure which OINP pathway fits you? AIRCS Group, verified immigration experts in Pakistan, assess your job duties, education, and work status, then guides on which Ontario Workforce Priority pathway suits your profile. Talk to our team for a free consultation.
Learn more about our Canada PNP program.
Employer Rules Under the New OINP
Under the new Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program, the employer has to meet more conditions than the applicant. Before a business can support your application, it must prove it is real and stable. The employer needs at least three years of operation in Ontario, a clean labour record, and enough revenue and staff for its location.
· GTA: $1,000,000 in gross annual revenue and 5 full-time Canadian or PR staff at the job site.
· Major CMA: $500,000 in revenue.
· Outside GTA and major CMAs: $250,000 in revenue for each of the last two years and 3 full-time Canadian or PR staff.
The job offer itself must be full-time, permanent, and pay at least the median wage for that occupation in the region. So a strong job offer alone is not enough.
What the OINP Means for Pakistani Applicants
Most OINP pathways now need an Ontario job offer, so OINP for Pakistani applicants works best if you are already in Ontario on a work or study permit, or can line up a genuine job offer. Doctors are the exception and can apply with no job offer.
Ontario also plans a Priority Healthcare stream without any job offer, plus Entrepreneur and Exceptional Talent streams, though no date is set yet. If you are in Pakistan, the best way is to start with a federal profile. To prepare it, see our guide on the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
How the OINP Process Works
Once the EOI system reopens, the path runs in five steps:
- Meet the rules of one Workforce Priority pathway and get a qualifying job offer, if your pathway needs one.
- Your employer registers the job offer in the Employer Portal, and you submit a new EOI profile.
- Ontario invites you from the EOI pool to apply for nomination.
- You file your complete nomination application with the OINP.
- After the nomination, you apply to IRCC for PR, with 600 extra CRS points if your stream links to Express Entry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program open right now?
The program exists, but the EOI system is closed. Ontario expects to reopen it later in summer 2026, so likely within the coming weeks. No invitations are going out under the old streams.
Can I apply for OINP from Pakistan without a job offer?
Only doctors can apply without a job offer. Skilled and essential workers both need an valid Ontario job offer. For most people in Pakistan, Express Entry is the better starting route.
What happened to the Masters and PhD Graduate streams?
They are permanently closed. Graduates now need a job offer and must apply under the TEER 0-3 pathway like other skilled workers.
Does an OINP nomination guarantee PR?
A nomination does not guarantee PR by itself. An OINP nomination adds 600 CRS points, but IRCC still makes the final PR decision.
If I applied before 26 June 2026, am I affected?
If your application was already submitted, it is assessed under the old rules. If your EOI never got an invitation, it is being withdrawn, and you must reapply under the new stream.
Want to Plan for Ontario PR Pathway?
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program has changed, and the right move now depend on your work experience, and oinp requirements. For personalized guidance on how the Ontario Workforce Priority stream affects your specific situation, book Your Strategy Assessment at AIRCS Group.
