Updated:
8.7.2026
Published
8.7.2026
OINP 2026 Redesign: What the New Ontario Workforce Priority Stream Means for You
On June 25, 2026, Ontario replaced eight Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) streams with a single new stream — the Ontario Workforce Priority stream. Candidates who already received an invitation and applied are assessed under the old rules. Un-invited Expressions of Interest are being withdrawn. The new Expression of Interest system is expected to open later in summer 2026.
What actually changed on June 25, 2026
On June 25, 2026, amendments to Ontario Regulation 422/17 under the Ontario Immigration Act, 2015 came into force, launching Phase 1 of a two-phase OINP redesign. The changes removed eight existing OINP streams and introduced the new Ontario Workforce Priority stream. Ontario has stated the Ontario Workforce Priority stream Expression of Interest (EOI) system is "anticipated to open later in the summer."
Ontario describes the redesign's goals as
- streamlining permanent-residence pathways for people with arranged employment in Ontario
- helping employers retain proven talent in hard-to-fill roles
- raising language and education benchmarks, and
- improving access for rural and northern employers through more flexible business-revenue thresholds
The eight OINP streams that closed
As part of Phase 1, the OINP closed these eight streams:
- Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker
- Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills
- Employer Job Offer: International Student
- Master's Graduate
- PhD Graduate
- Express Entry Human Capital Priorities
- Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker
- Express Entry Skilled Trades
Note: The OINP Entrepreneur stream was not part of this Phase 1 closure. Ontario has described the redesign as a two-phase process, so applicants in other streams should continue to monitor Ontario's official program-updates page for further changes.
The new Ontario Workforce Priority stream
The Ontario Workforce Priority stream is built around a full-time, permanent job offer in Ontario and splits into pathways by skill level, plus a pathway for self-employed physicians.
At a glance: pathways and requirements (as of July 2026)
If you have an active OINP application, here's what you need to know:
Rural-community employers (a census division with a population under 150,000) will face lower gross-annual-revenue requirements across all pathways. Details are subject to Ontario's regulations and may be refined; confirm current requirements before applying.
TEER 0–3 pathway (skilled occupations, NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3):
- Job offer: Full-time, permanent in Ontario
- Language: Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 6 — CLB 5 for certain occupations
- Education: post-secondary degree or diploma
- Work experience (one of):
- 6 months consecutive in the last 12 months in the job-offer position with the job-offer employer; or
- 3 months consecutive in the last 12 months for recent Ontario graduates; or
- 2 years cumulative in the last 5 years in the NOC occupation.
- Licensed applicants are exempt from the experience requirement.
TEER 4–5 pathway (lower-skilled occupations):
- Job offer: Full-time, permanent in Ontario
- Language: CLB 4
- Education: Canadian secondary school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience: 9 months cumulative in the last 2 years in the job-offer position with the job-offer employer
Self-employed physicians (no job offer required):
- No job offer required
- Member in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
- Valid certificate of registration in an eligible class (independent, academic, or provisional)
- Eligible to bill through the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)
For all pathways, employers in rural communities (a census division with a population under 150,000) will face lower gross-annual-revenue requirements. Some occupations may have alternate criteria, so candidates should consult the regulation for detailed requirements.
If you already received an invitation and applied
If you received an invitation to apply under a former OINP stream and submitted your application, Ontario continues to assess that application against the eligibility requirements that were in effect when the application was submitted. Filed applications are not reopened or restarted. Issued nomination certificates remain valid for a federal permanent-residence application.
If you registered an EOI but were never invited
The OINP Expression of Interest system is closed to new EOIs, and no further invitations will be issued under the former streams. EOIs and job offers registered under the former streams that did not result in an invitation are being automatically withdrawn while the platforms are updated, and Ontario notifies affected registrants, employers, and representatives directly. To be considered, you would register a new EOI under the Ontario Workforce Priority stream once the EOI system reopens — under the higher language and education benchmarks described above.
If you are an employer
Employers who previously registered in the OINP Employer Portal do not need to register again. However, once the Employer Portal reopens, an employer must submit a new job offer and a new application for approval of an employment position to initiate a new EOI for a candidate under the Ontario Workforce Priority stream. A previously approved job offer does not carry over.
Program-integrity changes
The redesign also shortened the response time for a Notice of Intent to Issue an Administrative Monetary Penalty or Ban order from 60 to 30 days, and now allows notices of contravention to be sent by email, mail, or in person and deemed delivered without proof of receipt.
Have Questions About Your OINP Eligibility?
New Ontario Workforce Priority Stream is expected to launch by end of summer 2026. If you have an active application, are considering applying, or are an employer who sponsors foreign workers, now is the time to get professional guidance.
Book a consultation with our team to discuss your specific situation and develop a strategy for the OINP transition.
Conclusion
The OINP 2026 overhaul represents the most significant change to Ontario immigration in years. Every existing stream is being replaced.
If you're an employer, review your workforce needs and ensure ongoing compliance. And if you're a worker or student hoping to immigrate to Ontario, stay informed about which categories will apply to your profile.
Not sure which pathway fits your situation, or whether the new benchmarks affect your plan? Don't wait until end of summer 2026.
Have any questions? Contact us at help@leromlaw.com or call +1-647-493-5205.
Disclaimer: This article is for information only and is not legal advice. Immigration rules change frequently — consult a lawyer about your specific situation.
FAQ
Which OINP streams closed?
Eight streams closed: Employer Job Offer (Foreign Worker, In-Demand Skills, International Student), Master's Graduate, PhD Graduate, and the three Express Entry streams (Human Capital Priorities, French-Speaking Skilled Worker, Skilled Trades).
When did the OINP changes take effect?
The regulatory amendments came into force on June 25, 2026, and Ontario announced them on June 26, 2026.
What replaced them?
The Ontario Workforce Priority stream, with pathways for TEER 0–3 occupations, TEER 4–5 occupations, and self-employed physicians.
My EOI was never invited. What happens to it?
It is being automatically withdrawn. You would submit a new EOI under the Ontario Workforce Priority stream when the system reopens, expected later in summer 2026.
I already applied after an invitation — am I affected?
No. Applications submitted after an invitation under a former stream are assessed under the requirements that were in effect when you filed.
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