Migration Overseas
Since 1998
Ontario has the largest 2026 provincial allocation in Canada. Since 25 June 2026 the OINP runs one stream, the Ontario Workforce Priority stream, which requires a full-time, permanent job offer from an Ontario employer (self-employed physicians excepted).
On 25 June 2026 Ontario removed its eight previous streams and introduced the Ontario Workforce Priority (OWP) stream. The OWP expression of interest (EOI) portal opened on 4 August 2026. OWP is now the only open OINP stream. It requires a full-time, permanent job offer from an Ontario employer; self-employed physicians are the only applicants who can apply without one.
Requirements depend on the TEER category of the job offer NOC, which is the second digit of the 5-digit NOC code
For a full-time, permanent Ontario job offer in a TEER 0 to 3 occupation. You need CLB level 6 or higher in all four proficiencies (CLB level 5 if the job is a listed skilled trade) and a postsecondary degree or diploma that takes at least one year to complete on a full-time basis (a high school diploma for listed skilled trades).
For a full-time, permanent Ontario job offer in a TEER 4 or 5 occupation. You need CLB level 4 or higher in all four proficiencies, a secondary school (high school) diploma or its equivalent, and at least 9 months of cumulative, paid, full-time work experience in the job offer position within 2 years before you apply.
Applicants with a TEER 0 to 3 job offer (and self-employed physicians) can ask to be nominated through IRCC's Express Entry system. You must meet the minimum eligibility criteria of a federal Express Entry program and keep a valid profile throughout. If you accept the nomination you receive an additional 600 CRS points. If your profile lapses after nomination, you must start the OINP process again.
Physicians who have an OHIP billing number and hold a certificate of registration authorizing independent practice, academic practice, or a provisional certificate, and are members in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. The employer requirements and other applicant requirements do not apply. Holders of a postgraduate education licence need a job offer.
Points Ontario assigns when you register an EOI. Scoring factors are separate from the stream requirements, and every claim must be supported with documents if you are invited.
TEER category: TEER 0 or 1 earns 9 points, TEER 2 or 3 earns 6, TEER 4 or 5 earns 0. Broad occupational category: category 3 earns 10, category 7 earns 8, category 2 earns 6, categories 0, 1, 4, 8 and 9 earn 4, categories 5 and 6 earn 2. Hourly wage: CAD 40 or higher earns 15, CAD 35 to 39.99 earns 12, CAD 30 to 34.99 earns 10, CAD 25 to 29.99 earns 8, CAD 20 to 24.99 earns 5, under CAD 20 earns 0.
Ontario work experience in the job offer position: over 24 months full-time earns 18, 13 to 24 months earns 15, 6 to 12 months earns 12. With less than 6 months in the position, full-time Ontario work experience earns 12, 9 or 6 on the same bands. Earnings shown on a CRA Notice of Assessment in the last 5 years: CAD 80,000 or more in a year earns 10, CAD 70,000 to 79,999 earns 8, CAD 50,000 to 69,999 earns 6, CAD 30,000 to 49,999 earns 4. Ontario updated the earnings-history factor on 7 October 2026, and the change applies automatically to existing EOIs. Legal status: a valid work permit earns 10, a valid study permit earns 5.
Highest education (Canadian credential or ECA): a doctorate or a degree in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine or optometry earns 10, a master's degree 8, a bachelor's degree or a university credential above bachelor level 6, an Ontario College Graduate Certificate or other diploma, certificate or apprenticeship 5. Canadian post-secondary credentials of at least one year: more than one earns 10, one earns 5. Official language, scored on your lowest skill: CLB 9 or higher earns 15, CLB 8 earns 12, CLB 7 earns 8, CLB 6 earns 4. Two official languages at CLB 6 or higher earn 10; one earns 5.
Points are based on the work location in the job offer. Northern Ontario earns 15 points; Eastern Ontario, Central Ontario outside the GTA and Southwestern Ontario earn 10; inside the GTA except Toronto (Durham, Halton, Peel and York) earns 5; the City of Toronto earns 0. A job outside Toronto can therefore add up to 15 points.
Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) launched a new round on 16 October 2026 (announced 14 October) that runs to the end of 2027. Participating communities are Greater Sudbury, Kenora District, Nipissing District, Rainy River District, Renfrew County and Thunder Bay. There is no separate application; you must meet the OINP eligibility requirements.
Closed 25 June 2026. These streams no longer accept EOIs or applications.
Ontario amended Ontario Regulation 422/17 to remove all eight previous streams. The EOI system closed to new EOIs under these streams, and Ontario said unresolved EOIs and job offers would be withdrawn automatically. The Entrepreneur stream page has been archived by Ontario and the stream is not open.
The Masters Graduate, PhD Graduate and Human Capital Priorities routes that did not need a job offer no longer exist. Ontario graduates and Express Entry candidates now need a qualifying Ontario job offer to be nominated. A recent Ontario graduate (a 2-year degree or diploma, an Ontario College Graduate Certificate, a master's or a PhD from an eligible Ontario institution within the last 3 years) does get two concessions under a TEER 0 to 3 job offer: no language test is required, and 3 months of work experience in the job offer position is enough instead of 6.
Requirements for applicants with a job offer under the Ontario Workforce Priority stream, as published on ontario.ca (page updated 20 October 2026). You must meet all of them when you register your EOI and when you apply.
One of: at least 6 months of consecutive, paid full-time work experience in the job offer position within the 12 months before you apply (3 months for a recent Ontario graduate); at least 2 years of cumulative, paid, full-time work experience in the same NOC within 5 years; or a licence or other authorization required to work in the position. Truck drivers (NOC 73300) and bus and transit operators (NOC 73301) must meet the 6 month rule.
At least 9 months of cumulative, paid, full-time work experience in the employment position your employer is seeking approval for, gained within 2 years before the date you apply (at least 1,170 hours in a 12-month period and at least 30 hours a week).
TEER 0 to 3: CLB level 6 or higher in all four proficiencies, or CLB level 5 for listed skilled trades. TEER 4 to 5: CLB level 4 or higher. The test must be within 2 years of applying. Accepted: IELTS General Training, CELPIP General, PTE Core, TEF Canada, TCF Canada.
TEER 0 to 3: a postsecondary degree or diploma that takes at least one year to complete on a full-time basis (a high school diploma for listed skilled trades). TEER 4 to 5: a high school diploma or equivalent. Foreign studies need an ECA report less than five years old.
In active business for at least 3 years, with business premises in Ontario where you will work, no outstanding employment standards or health and safety orders, and revenue and Canadian staff levels that meet the requirement for the job location. The employer's position approval must be granted for you to be nominated.
Full-time and permanent in Ontario, urgently necessary to the employer's business, not affecting a labour dispute, and meeting the required wage level for the job location. If you live outside Canada or work outside Ontario, the employer must show it tried to recruit a Canadian citizen or permanent resident first.
If you apply from within Canada you must have legal status (visitor record, study permit or work permit). Maintained status while an IRCC extension is pending is accepted.
You must intend to live and work in Ontario after permanent residence, shown through ties such as work, job applications, study, volunteering, property, visits and family or professional networks.
The Ontario Workforce Priority process starts with your employer. Ontario received a 2026 allocation of 14,119 nominations.
Your employer registers in the Employer Portal and submits a job offer; you receive a job offer ID
Register an EOI within 30 calendar days of the employer submitting the job offer
If invited, your employer applies for approval of the position within 14 calendar days
Submit and pay within 17 calendar days of the ITA, after your employer has applied
Apply to IRCC for PR within 6 months of nomination (60 days after an Express Entry ITA)
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