Ontario’s provincial nominee program was fundamentally redesigned in 2026. For historical context on Ontario selection activity before the redesign, see our OINP draws article. The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) now operates through the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream. Ontario states that all former OINP streams are closed and that this is the current stream for eligible foreign workers with Ontario job offers and eligible self-employed physicians.
The former Employer Job Offer, Masters Graduate, PhD Graduate and Ontario Express Entry streams were closed during the 2026 redesign. Applications already submitted under a former stream continue to be assessed under the requirements that applied when they were submitted. New candidates should assess eligibility under the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream.
Ontario Workforce Priority Stream , Current Pathways
The Ontario Workforce Priority Stream has three practical pathways. Select a pathway below to move directly to its detailed requirements.
- TEER 0–3 Pathway , qualifying workers with permanent Ontario job offers in NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupations.
- TEER 4–5 Pathway , qualifying workers with permanent Ontario job offers in NOC TEER 4 or 5 occupations.
- Self-Employed Physicians , qualifying Ontario physicians who may apply without a job offer.
Ontario Workforce Priority Stream , TEER 0–3 Pathway
This pathway is for eligible foreign workers whose full-time, permanent Ontario job offer is in a NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupation. The employer starts the process through the OINP Employer Portal and the candidate registers an Expression of Interest (EOI) after receiving the job offer ID.
Core applicant requirements
A candidate must receive an invitation to apply and substantiate the information used for the EOI score. The candidate must satisfy the applicable work-experience or licensing requirement, language and education requirements, maintain legal status in Canada where applicable, and demonstrate an intention to live and work in Ontario.
Work experience or mandatory licence
For a TEER 0–3 job offer, an applicant generally needs to meet one of the following:
- At least 6 months of consecutive, paid, full-time work experience in the offered position within the 12 months before applying.
- For a qualifying recent Ontario graduate, at least 3 months of consecutive, paid, full-time experience in the offered position within the preceding 12 months.
- At least 2 years of cumulative, paid, full-time experience (or permitted part-time equivalent) in the same NOC occupation within the preceding 5 years, subject to specified related-occupation exceptions.
- A valid mandatory Ontario or Canadian licence/authorization required to work in the offered position, where licensing satisfies this component.
Special rules apply to transport truck drivers (NOC 73300) and bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators (NOC 73301): Ontario requires the specified 6-month experience even where the worker is licensed or is a recent Ontario graduate.
Language and education
Ontario’s 2026 program update identifies a general minimum of CLB 6 for the TEER 0–3 pathway, with CLB 5 for certain occupations, and a minimum post-secondary degree or diploma. Occupation-specific requirements should be checked before filing.
Job offer and employer requirements
The position must be full-time and permanent in Ontario, urgently necessary to the employer’s business, meet the required wage level for the location and not adversely affect a labour dispute. The employer must meet OINP business-operation, Ontario premises, revenue, staffing and compliance requirements. Recruitment requirements may also apply.
Application sequence
- The Ontario employer registers and submits the job offer through the Employer Portal.
- The candidate receives the job offer ID and registers an EOI within the required period.
- If invited, the employer applies for approval of the employment position and the candidate files the nomination application within the applicable deadlines.
- If nominated, the applicant proceeds to the federal permanent-residence stage with IRCC. Eligible TEER 0–3 applicants may elect Express Entry nomination if they meet the federal Express Entry requirements and maintain a valid profile.
Ontario Workforce Priority Stream , TEER 4–5 Pathway
The TEER 4–5 pathway extends the redesigned OINP to workers in NOC TEER 4 and 5 occupations who have a qualifying full-time and permanent Ontario job offer.
Work experience
An applicant must generally have at least 9 months of cumulative, paid, full-time work experience in the specific job-offer position, gained within the 2 years before applying. Ontario describes full-time experience for this requirement as at least 30 paid hours per week and at least 1,170 paid hours over a 12-month period.
Language and education
The minimum language level identified by Ontario for this pathway is CLB 4. The minimum education requirement is a Canadian secondary school diploma or its equivalent. Foreign education must be supported by the evidence prescribed by the OINP.
Job offer and employer requirements
The job offer must satisfy OINP requirements for a full-time and permanent Ontario position, wage, business necessity and labour-dispute protection. The employer must qualify under the OINP’s business, revenue, staffing, premises and compliance rules and obtain approval of the employment position.
How the process works
The employer initiates the process in the Employer Portal. The candidate then registers an EOI using the employer’s job offer ID. An EOI is not itself an application for nomination; the candidate must first receive an invitation. Following an invitation, both employer and applicant have prescribed filing deadlines.
Ontario Workforce Priority Stream , Self-Employed Physicians
Ontario provides a distinct route within the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream for eligible self-employed physicians. Unlike the job-offer pathways, a qualifying self-employed physician may apply without an Ontario job offer.
Who may qualify
A self-employed physician must be eligible to receive payment for publicly funded health services and therefore have an OHIP billing number. The physician must be a member in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario and hold an eligible certificate of registration authorizing independent practice, academic practice, or a provisional certificate of registration.
A physician holding only a postgraduate education licence does not qualify through the self-employed physician route, although that physician may potentially qualify under the job-offer pathway if supported by an eligible Ontario employer and all requirements are met.
Different treatment from job-offer applicants
Eligible self-employed physicians do not need to meet the employer requirements or the other job-offer applicant requirements described for worker pathways. They follow the OINP process for registering an EOI as a self-employed physician and, if invited, submit the nomination application within the prescribed deadline.
Express Entry option
Ontario indicates that a qualifying self-employed physician may choose to be nominated through the federal Express Entry system. Where that option is selected, the applicant must also satisfy the applicable federal Express Entry requirements.
OINP Expression of Interest and Selection
The Ontario Workforce Priority Stream uses an Expression of Interest system. EOI scoring considers factors relevant to labour-market needs and regional immigration, including NOC TEER and occupational category, wage for job-offer applicants, Ontario work experience, Canadian earnings history, legal status, education, official-language ability and the location of employment or medical practice in Ontario.
Registering an EOI does not guarantee an invitation. Ontario may conduct targeted selections and program priorities can change, so current invitation criteria and program updates should be reviewed before relying on an EOI strategy.
After an OINP Nomination
A successful applicant receives a nomination approval letter and nomination certificate and may receive a work-permit support letter where applicable. Ontario currently directs nominees to apply to IRCC for permanent residence within 6 months. IRCC makes the final decision on permanent residence and federal admissibility.
Former OINP Streams , Closed in 2026
Ontario’s 2026 redesign closed the former 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 streams. They should not be presented as currently open OINP pathways. Previously submitted applications remain subject to Ontario’s transition rules.
OINP eligibility, EOI scoring, targeted invitations, employer requirements and filing procedures can change. An individualized assessment should use the rules and program instructions in force at the time of the proposed application.
Immigration criteria, document requirements and public policies can change. Advice should be based on the rules and facts applicable when you apply.