Ontario has completely overhauled its Provincial Nominee Program (OINP). Every previous program has been cancelled.  The province has now replaced its previous employer-based programs with the new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream. This is the most significant change to the OINP in years, and it affects thousands of workers currently in Ontario who are on the path to permanent residence. 

What Happened to the Old OINP Programs? 

All previous OINP employer-based streams have been cancelled. If you were already invited to apply under one of the old programs, your application will still be assessed under the old criteria — nothing changes for you. However, if you had a profile in the old pool but had not yet received an invitation, that profile has been cancelled. You will need to create a new profile under the new system once it opens. 

TIMELINE The Workforce Priority Stream opened on August 4. Additional OINP programs — including a Healthcare Priority pathway, an Entrepreneur program, and an Extraordinary Talent stream — are expected to follow later in 2026, though rules for those have not yet been finalized. 

What Is the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream? 

The Workforce Priority Stream is the new employer-based OINP program that replaces all previous job-offer streams. It uses an Expression of Interest (EOI) pool system — similar in concept to Express Entry — where eligible applicants enter a pool and Ontario issues Invitations to Apply (ITAs) based on occupation, location, and points. 

There are three sets of requirements to satisfy: requirements for the employer, requirements for the job offer, and requirements for you as the applicant. All three must be met before you can enter the pool. 

Employer Requirements 

Your employer must meet specific thresholds depending on where the job is located. Ontario has moved from a simple GTA vs. non-GTA distinction to three distinct regional categories: 

Region Gross Revenue Full-Time Employees (PR/Citizen) Years in Business 
GTA (Toronto & surrounding) ≥ $1,000,000 (most recent fiscal year) ≥ 5 employees 3 years 
Ottawa, Waterloo, Hamilton + listed municipalities ≥ $500,000 (most recent fiscal year) ≥ 3 employees 3 years 
All other Ontario locations ≥ $250,000 (each of last 2 fiscal years) ≥ 3 employees 3 years 
NOTE All employers must have been in active business for at least 3 years, regardless of location. The full-time employee count must consist of Canadian citizens or permanent residents only — temporary foreign workers do not count toward this number. 

Can Non-Profits or Government Employers Apply? 

Non-profit organizations can apply as long as they meet the general employer eligibility criteria. However, the Ontario Public Service (OPS) and OPS entities are explicitly excluded — they are not participating as employers under the Workforce Priority Stream. Other government employers not staffed by OPS employees may still qualify. 

Does the Employer Need a Physical Office in Ontario? 

Yes. The employer must have a physical office presence in Ontario. Fully remote employers with no Ontario office will not qualify. Hybrid arrangements — where the employee reports to an Ontario office — are likely acceptable, but this area is still awaiting formal clarification from OINP. If your job is primarily remote, speak with a lawyer before proceeding. 

Job Offer Requirements 

The position you are using for your OINP application must meet all of the following: 

  • Full-time: minimum 30 hours per week 
  • Permanent (indeterminate): no end date — you must hold an open-ended contract 
  • Wage: must meet the median wage for the NOC code and location — with one key exception 

The Ontario Graduate Wage Exception 

If you are a recent Ontario graduate holding a high-skilled job offer (Tiers 0, 1, 2, or 3), the wage requirement drops from the median wage to the entry-level wage for that position. This is a meaningful reduction and can make a significant difference in whether a job offer qualifies. 

To qualify as a “recent Ontario graduate” under the Workforce Priority Stream: 

  • You must have graduated from an eligible Ontario post-secondary institution 
  • Your graduation must have occurred within the last 3 years — measured from the date you submit your OINP application (not from when you enter the pool) 
  • Your program must be a 2-year degree or diploma, a Master’s or PhD, or a 1-year college post-graduate certificate 
IMPORTANT CHANGE Previously, OINP only recognized graduates from the last 2 years. The Workforce Priority Stream has extended this to 3 years — a meaningful improvement for those who graduated a few years ago and have since been building their career. 

Recruitment Requirements 

If you are already working for the employer in the same position, no recruitment advertising is required. The employer does not need to demonstrate that no Canadian was available for the role. This is significantly less burdensome than a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Recruitment is only required if you are not currently working for the employer in that role and no LMIA has been obtained for the position. 

Applicant Requirements 

Work Experience 

Skill Level Route Requirement 
High-Skilled (Tiers 0–3) Option 1: Same employer 6 months continuous in same position, within last 12 months 
High-Skilled (Tiers 0–3) Option 2: Ontario graduate 3 months continuous in the same position with the employer in last 12 months + graduated within last 3 years 
High-Skilled (Tiers 0–3) Option 3: Any employer (worldwide) 2 years out of last 5 years in same NOC code – see note below for exceptions 
High-Skilled (Tiers 0–3) Option 4: Licensed profession Hold mandatory license for occupation (no work experience required — except truck/transit drivers: still need 6 months) 
Low-Skilled (Tiers 4–5) Same employer only 9 months in position with same employer in last 2 years 
Note For technicians in engineering, pharmacy, or nursing listed by OINP, the NOC flexibility rules differ slightly.  
 For transport truck drivers and transit/bus operators specifically, the 6-month same-employer rule applies even if they hold a mandatory license — there is no license-based exemption for these NOC codes. 

Education Requirements 

For high-skilled positions, the minimum education requirement is a 1-year post-secondary program completed anywhere in the world. Exceptions apply: 

  • Listed skilled trades: high school diploma is sufficient 
  • Nurse’s aides: 1-year Ontario graduate certificate 
  • Mandatory licensed professions: no education requirement (exception: truck/transit drivers still need 1-year post-secondary) 

For low-skilled positions, a high school diploma is the minimum. If completed outside Canada, an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is required. 

Language Requirements 

You must meet the minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score in each of the four language abilities individually. Your overall score does not matter — what counts is that every single ability meets the floor. 

  • High-skilled positions (Tiers 0–3): CLB 6 minimum in each ability 
  • Skilled trades (high-skilled): CLB 5 minimum in each ability 
  • Low-skilled positions (Tiers 4–5): CLB 4 minimum in each ability 
  • Recent Ontario graduates: no new test required although you will want to submit the tests to gain EOI points for language 

Self-Employed Physicians

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) Workforce Priority Stream includes a special pathway for self-employed physicians, allowing eligible doctors to apply without a job offer. This is an exception to the general stream requirements, which normally require employer support. 

Eligibility Requirements 

A self-employed physician may apply under this stream if they meet both of the following requirements: 

  1. OHIP Billing Eligibility 

The physician must be eligible to receive payment for publicly funded health services under Ontario’s Health Insurance Act.  In practical terms, this means the physician must have an Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) billing number. 

  1. CPSO Registration 
  1. The physician must be a member in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) and hold one of the following certificates of registration:  
  • Certificate authorizing Independent Practice 
  • Certificate authorizing Academic Practice 
  • Provisional Certificate of Registration  

Exemption from Other Stream Requirements 

If a physician meets the above requirements: 

  • They do not need a job offer. 
  • The standard applicant requirements applicable to job-offer candidates do not apply. 
  • The employer requirements under the stream do not apply. 

The EOI Points System: How Ontario Scores Applicants 

Once you meet the minimum eligibility criteria, you enter the Expression of Interest (EOI) pool. Ontario then scores your profile using a points system. Unlike Express Entry, a high EOI score alone does not guarantee an invitation — Ontario will likely draw from the pool in the next while based primarily on occupation and location, with EOI points used as a secondary filter. Here is how the scoring breaks down: 

EOI Category What Ontario Evaluates 
Job Offer — Tier Level Higher-skilled tiers earn more points; health occupations currently score highest 
Job Offer — Broad Occupational Category Occupation category weighted by provincial labour market priority 
Wage Points awarded based on hourly wage; caps out at $40/hr 
Length of Time with Employer 6–12 months / 13–24 months / 24+ months in same position (major differentiator) 
Ontario Work Experience (short-tenure applicants) Applies to those with less than 6 months with current employer (e.g. international graduates) 
Legal Status in Canada Work permit vs. study permit — different points for each 
Earnings History (NOA) Highest income on Notice of Assessment in last 5 years (must be Canadian NOA — T4s not accepted) 
Education Level Highest completed credential; overseas credentials require ECA — equivalency used for scoring 
Number of Canadian Credentials Points for each program completed in Canada 
Language Scored on your LOWEST score across all four abilities (not overall, not highest) 
Bilingualism Points if you hold both English and French tests, each with CLB 6+ in all four areas 
Location of Job Offer Toronto = 0 points; GTA outside Toronto = some points; other regions = higher points by census division 
KEY INSIGHT The single biggest differentiator in the points system is length of time with your current employer. The new system awards substantially more points to applicants who have been in the same position for 13–24 months or 24+ months — far more than the previous system, which only recognized 6+ months. 

How Ontario Will Conduct Draws 

This is critical to understand: the Workforce Priority Stream is not a first-come, first-served system, and it is not a pure points race. Ontario has signaled that draws will be targeted by occupation and location. Here is what that means in practice: 

  • Ontario will select specific NOC codes for each draw — not all occupations will be in every draw 
  • Location of the job offer will also factor in — draws may target specific regions 
  • EOI points may be used to set a minimum score cutoff within a targeted draw 
  • General draws where everyone in the pool competes together are not expected — especially for low-skilled positions 
  • Draw criteria will be posted on the OINP website after each draw occurs 
STRATEGY If you meet the eligibility criteria, enter the pool — even if you are uncertain whether your occupation will be drawn. But do not rely on the OINP as your only path to permanent residence. It is unpredictable by design. Have a Plan B and a Plan C. 

Express Entry-Linked Pathway 

The Workforce Priority Stream will also offer an Express Entry-linked nomination stream. If nominated through this pathway, you receive 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for Express Entry — virtually guaranteeing an ITA. Processing through the Express Entry-linked route takes approximately 6 months, compared to 1.5 to 2 years through the non-Express Entry route. However, you must independently qualify under the Express Entry system to use this pathway.

Staying Compliant: What You and Your Employer Must Do 

The Workforce Priority Stream is not a one-time application — it is an ongoing compliance obligation from the day you enter the pool until the day you receive permanent residence. 

You Must Stay in the Same Position 

From the moment you create your EOI profile through to permanent residence being granted, you must remain employed with the same employer in the same position. If you change employers, change positions, or are laid off, your application is at risk — even if you have already received a provincial nomination and are waiting for federal processing.

Promotions Are Complicated 

A salary increase is generally acceptable — especially if all employees are receiving the same raise. However, a promotion that changes your NOC code or your job duties is a problem. Ontario selects you based on your specific occupation. If your occupation changes before permanent residence is granted, your nomination could be revoked. If a promotion is on the table, speak to your lawyer before accepting it. 

The Employer’s Obligations 

By participating in the Workforce Priority Stream, employers sign a compliance agreement with the Ontario government. Their obligations include: 

  • Maintaining your position at the same or higher salary and hours as declared on the application 
  • Reporting any material changes to the position to OINP 
  • Cooperating with compliance reviews — which may include site visits and phone calls from OINP officers 
  • Notifying OINP if you are terminated or laid off 

Unlike an LMIA, employers do not normally need to advertise the role or prove a Canadian was not available. But the compliance obligations that follow are real and ongoing.  

What Happens If You Are Laid Off? 

If you are terminated or laid off during the process, your OINP application is in jeopardy. The employer is required to notify OINP, and OINP will notify IRCC. Even a provincially nominated applicant who is simply waiting for federal processing can have their application cancelled at this stage. This is not a theoretical risk — it happens. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Workforce Priority Stream replace Express Entry? 

No. The Workforce Priority Stream is an Ontario-specific provincial program. Express Entry — including the Canadian Experience Class and Federal Skilled Worker Class — is a completely separate federal system. You can be in both the OINP EOI pool and an active Express Entry profile at the same time. If anything, having an Express Entry profile is necessary if you want to use the Express Entry-linked Workforce Priority Stream pathway. 

Can I use work experience from outside Canada? 

Yes — for the two-out-of-five-years route, work experience anywhere in the world counts. It does not need to be Canadian or with the same employer. However, for EOI points related to earnings history, only income reported on a Canadian Notice of Assessment (NOA) counts. T4s are not accepted, and overseas income does not generate EOI points. 

I graduated from a university in another Canadian province. Can I still qualify? 

Yes, but not as a “recent Ontario graduate.” You would need to qualify under the general criteria — either 6 months with the same employer in the same position, or 2 years of experience in the same NOC over the last 5 years. The reduced wage threshold and 3-month work experience route are only available to graduates of eligible Ontario institutions. 

Does my job have to be in person? What about remote work? 

The employer must have a physical office presence in Ontario. Hybrid positions that involve reporting to an Ontario office are likely acceptable. Fully remote arrangements where the employer has no Ontario office are problematic and may not qualify.  

I have a job offer letter from 2023. Can I still use it? 

An older offer letter can potentially be used, but it will need to be supplemented with current documentation confirming your ongoing employment, role, and compensation. The key is that your position must be a current, active, permanent full-time role — the date of the original offer letter matters less than your current employment reality. 

Are there points for age or my spouse’s background? 

No. The Workforce Priority Stream EOI system does not award points for the applicant’s age or for a spouse’s education, language, or work experience. The scoring is focused entirely on you as the principal applicant and on your employer and job offer. 

Can a francophone worker with an LMIA-exempt work permit apply? 

Yes. OINP does not restrict applicants based on the type or category of their work permit. As long as you hold a valid work permit that grants you legal status in Canada and you are not in the refugee system, your work permit type does not affect eligibility. 

If my employer does not meet the revenue threshold, can I still apply? 

No. If the employer does not meet any of the regional revenue and employee thresholds, they are not eligible to support an OINP application. There is no workaround or exception for this. You would need to explore other pathways to permanent residence — such as Express Entry, if you qualify independently. 

Upcoming OINP Programs to Watch 

The Workforce Priority Stream is Stage 1 of Ontario’s OINP overhaul. Three additional programs are expected to follow, though rules have not yet been finalized: 

Healthcare Priority Pathway 

A pathway for certain healthcare professionals to apply without a job offer. Eligibility will be limited to specific licensed healthcare occupations — expect a closed list tied to professions that require a mandatory Ontario license to practice. Details are still being finalized. 

Entrepreneur Program 

A permanent residence pathway for individuals who have already established a business in Ontario on a valid work permit. Ontario is looking to provide a route to PR for business owners who have already demonstrated commitment to the province. 

Extraordinary Talent Stream 

A direct-to-PR pathway for individuals who have achieved national or international recognition in research, leadership, the arts, or athletics. Details are pending. 

What You Should Do Right Now 

The Workforce Priority Stream is now open. Here are some things you can do: 

  • Confirm whether your employer meets the revenue, employee count, and years-in-business thresholds for your region 
  • Verify that your job offer is full-time, permanent, and meets the wage requirement for your NOC and location 
  • Determine which work experience route applies to you and confirm you have the documentation to support it 
  • Calculate your likely EOI score — length of time with your current employer in your current role is the most important variable 
  • Have a backup immigration plan that does not rely solely on receiving an OINP invitation 
  • If a promotion is being offered, pause and get legal advice before accepting 
  • Make sure your employer understands the compliance obligations before they commit to supporting your application 
  • Contact your lawyer to get started on the process 

CONSULT FIRST LM Law Group recommends speaking with your lawyer before entering the pool — not after. Eligibility mistakes are costly, and getting into the pool with a flawed application can disqualify you. Book a consultation at lmlawgroup.com. 

Want to hear it directly from our lawyers? Watch the full webinar recording below — LM Law Group team walk through everything covered in this guide live.

Watch the Full Webinar: Ontario Workforce Priority Stream Explained →

Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. Immigration law is complex and highly fact-specific. Program rules may change after publication. Always consult a qualified immigration lawyer before making decisions about your immigration status in Canada.