Ontario has significantly redesigned the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), closing its eight previous immigration streams and replacing them with the new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream.
The changes came into effect on June 25, 2026, as the first phase of a broader OINP redesign.
The new Expression of Interest (EOI) system opened August 4, 2026, meaning eligible workers and employers can now begin the process of seeking an Ontario provincial nomination under the new system.
What Changed under the OINP Redesign
Ontario has closed its eight former OINP streams, including the Employer Job Offer, graduate and express entry pathways, and replaced them with the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream.
The new system now focuses on three pathways:
- Workers with Ontario job offers in TEER 0–3 occupations
- Workers with Ontario job offers in TEER 4–5 occupations
- Eligible self-employed physicians.
TEER is part of Canada’s national occupational classification system, which groups jobs based on the training, education, experience and responsibilities typically required for the role.
Ontario employers are now more involved in the process. With limited exceptions, applicants will need a qualifying permanent job offer from an eligible Ontario employer.
What Happened to Old OINP EOIs and Applications?
No further invitations will be issued under the former OINP streams.
Expressions of Interest and job offers that did not result in an invitation have been withdrawn.
Eligible workers and employers must generally submit new information under the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream if they still wish to obtain a nomination.
Applications already submitted are not automatically affected. Applications filed after an invitation under a former stream will continue to be assessed under the requirements that applied at the time of submission.
What Workers and Ontario Employers Should Do Now
Workers and Ontario employers considering the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream should review the new eligibility requirements carefully before registering an Expression of Interest or submitting a job offer.
Eligibility can depend on the following:
- The applicant’s occupation, work experience, education and language ability
- The employer’s business and workforce
- The offered position and wage
- The location of the employer and job
Because the OINP redesign changes both the available immigration pathways and the role Ontario employers play in the nomination process, workers and employers should understand which requirements apply.
Before moving forward, obtaining legal advice can help determine whether the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream may be an option and what steps are required for a particular worker, employer or job offer.
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*This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration requirements may change.
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