Ontario OINP Redesign 2026: 8 Streams Closed, New Ontario Workforce Priority Stream Launched
Ontario has just made the single biggest change in the history of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). Effective June 26, 2026, all eight existing OINP streams have been permanently closed and replaced with one new stream called the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream.
This is not a small policy update. It is a full redesign of how Ontario selects candidates for permanent residence, and it affects thousands of candidates, employers, and representatives who currently have active files with the program.
If you have an Expression of Interest (EOI) registered with the OINP, or you are an employer who regularly nominates foreign workers, this update is important for you.
The changes were made through amendments to Ontario Regulation 422/17 under the Ontario Immigration Act, 2015, and were confirmed on the official OINP program updates page.
OINP Redesign June 26, 2026 – Key Highlights
- • All 8 former OINP streams are permanently closed
- • A single new stream, the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream, replaces them
- • The new stream has 3 pathways: TEER 0-3, TEER 4-5, and Self-Employed Physicians
- • The EOI system is closed to new registrations
- • No further invitations will be issued under the old streams
- • The new EOI platform is expected to reopen later this summer
- • This is only Phase 1 of a planned 2-phase redesign
The 3 New Pathways Under the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream
All three pathways require a full-time, permanent job offer from an Ontario employer, except for the physicians pathway, which does not require a job offer at all.
1. TEER 0-3 Pathway This pathway is for internationally trained skilled workers in NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupations.
- • Work experience: 6 months with the job offer employer, OR 3 months for recent Ontario graduates, OR 2 years cumulative in the last 5 years
- • Language: CLB 6 minimum (CLB 5 for select occupations)
- • Education: Post-secondary degree or diploma
- • Licensed professionals are exempt from the work experience requirement
2. TEER 4-5 Pathway This pathway covers essential and entry-level occupations, replacing what used to fall under the In-Demand Skills stream.
- • Work experience: 9 months cumulative in the last 2 years with the job offer employer
- • Language: CLB 4 minimum
- • Education: Canadian secondary school diploma or equivalent
3. Self-Employed Physicians Pathway This is the only pathway that does not require a job offer. To qualify, physicians must:
- • Be a member in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
- • Hold a valid certificate of registration (independent, academic, or provisional)
- • Be eligible to bill through the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)
Good News for Rural Ontario Employers
What Happens to the 8 Closed OINP Streams
The following streams are now permanently closed:
- • 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
If you already submitted an application under one of these streams before June 26, 2026, it will still be assessed under the rules that were in place when you applied. You do not need to do anything differently for a submitted application.
What Existing OINP Candidates and Employers Need to Know
If you had an active EOI or job offer registered under one of the old streams that had not yet resulted in an invitation, here is what to expect:
- • Your EOI will be automatically withdrawn over the coming weeks
- • You will receive a direct notice from the program about your file
- • Employers already registered on the OINP Employer Portal do not need to register again
- • Employers will need to submit a new job offer and a new application for approval of an employment position once the portal reopens
Candidates who believe they qualify under the new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream should start preparing now: - • Book or renew your language test, since CLB scores are now mandatory across every pathway
- • Gather proof of your work experience with your job offer employer
- • Confirm your education documents meet the new minimum requirements
- • Employers should review job offers against the new wage and full-time/permanent employment criteria
Why This Matters for Express Entry Candidates Too
An Ontario nomination still comes with a 600-point CRS boost in Express Entry, which virtually guarantees an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence. With Ontario’s 2026 provincial nomination allocation rising to 14,119 spots, a 31% increase over 2025, this redesign is Ontario’s way of directing that larger allocation toward candidates with arranged employment in the province.
For comparison, recent Canadian Experience Class draws under Express Entry issued 4,000 invitations at a CRS cutoff of 516 on June 23, 2026, so a provincial nomination remains one of the strongest tools available to candidates whose CRS score alone may not be competitive.
Enforcement Changes You Should Know About
Along with the new stream, Ontario has also tightened compliance rules:
- • Response time for a Notice of Intent to Issue an Administrative Monetary Penalty or Ban has been reduced from 60 to 30 days
- • Notices of contravention can now be sent by email, mail, or in person, and are considered delivered as soon as they are sent
Is This the End of OINP Changes for 2026?
No. Ontario has confirmed this is Phase 1 of a two-phase redesign. A second phase is expected to introduce further pathways later on, though Ontario has not confirmed a launch date or specific rules yet. Candidates should keep checking the official OINP program updates page for further announcements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I still apply under one of the 8 old OINP streams? No. All eight former streams are permanently closed as of June 26, 2026. You must wait for the new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream EOI system to reopen later this summer.
What happens to my existing EOI? If it did not result in an invitation, it will be automatically withdrawn over the coming weeks, and you will be notified directly by the program.
Do employers need to re-register on the OINP Employer Portal? No, but employers will need to submit a new job offer and a new application for approval of an employment position to start a new EOI under the new stream.
What language score do I need now? CLB 6 (or CLB 5 for select occupations) for the TEER 0-3 pathway, and CLB 4 for the TEER 4-5 pathway.
Final Thoughts
This is the biggest overhaul in OINP history, and it changes the game for anyone planning to immigrate to Ontario through a provincial nomination. If you had an EOI under one of the old streams, or you are an employer who regularly nominates foreign talent, now is the time to get your documents, language test, and job offer details ready before the new EOI system reopens.
Our team at Rise N Sky Immigration is closely monitoring every update to the OINP redesign. If you want a professional assessment of where you stand under the new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream, contact us today for a consultation.
