By Navrit Kaur Hothi, Articling Student, Lewis & Associates LLP
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) looks very different in 2026. In June, Ontario closed all eight of its existing immigration streams and replaced them with a single new stream, the Ontario Workforce Priority stream. If you were planning to apply as an international student, a master’s or PhD graduate, or through one of Ontario’s Express Entry streams, the route you were preparing for no longer exists.
This guide explains what changed, what happened to each former stream, what it means for applications already in progress, and how to plan your next step. It is based on the Government of Ontario’s official OINP updates. For a broader look at routes to immigration to Canada, see our guide on how to immigrate to Canada.
OINP redesign · Phase 1
Ontario’s Immigration Program in 2026
Eight streams closed. One new stream with three pathways.
- 3 Employer Job Offer streams
- Master’s Graduate and PhD Graduate
- 3 Express Entry streams
- Job offer in a TEER 0–3 occupation
- Job offer in a TEER 4–5 occupation
- Self-employed physicians (no job offer)
What Changed and When
Ontario describes the change as “the first of a 2-phase program redesign.” According to the province’s update of June 26, 2026, the amendments came into force on June 25, 2026 and remove the existing eight streams while introducing the new Ontario Workforce Priority stream. On the same day, the Expression of Interest (EOI) system closed to new registrations under the former streams, and Ontario stated that no further invitations would be issued under them.
| Date (2026) | What happened |
|---|---|
| May 30 | Preparatory amendments to the OINP regulations took effect. |
| June 25–26 | Amendments in force; the eight former streams were removed and the Ontario Workforce Priority stream was introduced. The EOI system closed to new EOIs under the former streams. |
| Following weeks | EOIs and employer job offers that had not received an invitation were automatically withdrawn, with notices sent to registrants and employers. |
| August 4 | The EOI portal opened for the Ontario Workforce Priority stream. |
| October | Ontario adjusted EOI scoring, including points for Canadian earnings history. |
What Happened to Each Former Stream
The table below shows the eight streams that closed and where people who would have used them may fit now. “May fit” is important: the new stream has its own requirements, and many people who qualified before will not qualify now.
| Former stream | Status | Possible route now |
|---|---|---|
| Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker | Closed | Ontario Workforce Priority, TEER 0–3 job offer pathway. Physicians now have a separate self-employed physician pathway. |
| Employer Job Offer: International Student | Closed | TEER 0–3 job offer pathway. Recent Ontario graduates need only 3 months of work experience with the employer and are exempt from language testing if they hold a qualifying credential. |
| Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills | Closed | TEER 4–5 job offer pathway. |
| Master’s Graduate | Closed | No equivalent without a job offer. Graduates need a qualifying job offer under the new stream. |
| PhD Graduate | Closed | No equivalent without a job offer. Graduates need a qualifying job offer under the new stream. |
| Express Entry Human Capital Priorities | Closed | No separate Express Entry stream. Express Entry can be an optional route for TEER 0–3 job offer and physician applicants. |
| Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker | Closed | As above. Federal Express Entry French-language draws remain available. |
| Express Entry Skilled Trades | Closed | As above. Listed skilled trades have lower language and education requirements in the TEER 0–3 pathway. |
Who Is Most Affected
- Master’s and PhD graduates who were relying on the job-offer-free graduate streams. These were popular routes for international graduates of Ontario universities.
- Express Entry candidates who hoped for a provincial “notification of interest” from Ontario. They now need an Ontario job offer for an OINP nomination, or must rely on federal draws. See our Express Entry and CRS guide.
- People with a pending EOI under a former stream that had not received an invitation. Those EOIs were withdrawn.
- Employers who supported workers under the old Employer Job Offer streams. They must submit a new job offer through the Employer Portal for each new EOI.
If You Already Applied Under a Former Stream
Ontario has confirmed that “applications submitted following an invitation under a former stream will continue to be assessed against the eligibility requirements that were in effect when the application was submitted.” In other words, if you were invited and applied before the change, your application is still processed under the old rules.
If you registered an EOI but were never invited, your EOI was withdrawn. You would need to register a new EOI under the Ontario Workforce Priority stream, and you must meet its requirements. Employers already registered in the portal do not need to register again, but they must submit a new job offer.
Ontario has also tightened program integrity. When the province sends a notice asking for information or raising concerns, the response time is now 30 days instead of 60, and notices can be sent by email, mail or in person. Missing a notice can be costly, so keep your contact details up to date. If you receive a concern letter from IRCC later in the process, our guide to procedural fairness letters explains how to respond.
How the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream Works
The new stream has three pathways: a job offer in a TEER 0–3 occupation, a job offer in a TEER 4–5 occupation, and a pathway for self-employed physicians. We explain the requirements in detail in our guides to permanent residence in Ontario with a Canadian job offer and the self-employed physician pathway. In short:
- The employer starts. The employer submits the job offer in the OINP Employer Portal and receives a job offer ID. The candidate must register an EOI within 30 calendar days or the job offer expires.
- Candidates are ranked. EOIs are scored on factors such as Ontario work experience, wage, Canadian earnings history, the job’s location and official-language ability. Jobs outside the Greater Toronto Area, especially in Northern Ontario, score higher.
- Deadlines after invitation are short. The employer has 14 calendar days to submit its part, and the applicant has 17 calendar days to submit the application and pay the fee.
- EOIs last 12 months. There is no fee to register an EOI.
Ontario Workforce Priority
From Job Offer to Nomination
The main steps in the new process.
- 1Employer registers and submits the job offer in the Employer Portal.
- 2Candidate registers an EOI within 30 days using the job offer ID.
- 3Ontario ranks EOIs and issues invitations to the highest-scoring candidates.
- 4Employer submits its form within 14 days of the invitation.
- 5Candidate applies and pays within 17 days ($1,500 outside the GTA, $2,000 in the GTA).
- 6Ontario decides and, if approved, issues a provincial nomination.
- 7Apply to IRCC for permanent residence, directly or through Express Entry where eligible.
Fees
According to the OINP application process page, there is no fee to register an EOI. The application fee for the Ontario Workforce Priority stream is $1,500 if the job offer (or, for physicians, the practice) is outside the Greater Toronto Area and $2,000 if it is inside the GTA, which includes the City of Toronto and the regions of Durham, Halton, Peel and York. The fee is non-refundable once processing starts. Federal permanent residence fees are paid separately to IRCC.
What Comes Next: Phase 2
Ontario has said that the Workforce Priority stream is the first phase of a two-phase redesign. As of November 2026, the province has not published the details or timing of the second phase. If you were waiting for a graduate stream or a job-offer-free route, watch the official OINP updates page rather than relying on predictions online.
What to Do Now
Affected by the changes?
Your 6-Point Action Plan
Steps that keep your options open.
- Confirm whether your old EOI was withdrawn or your application is still in process
- Check that your temporary status or permit is valid, and extend it on time if needed
- Ask your employer whether they can support a job offer under the new stream
- Confirm your NOC code and TEER level based on your actual duties
- Improve your federal Express Entry profile in parallel
- Look at other provinces and federal programs that fit your profile
If your post-graduation work permit or other permit is close to expiring, read our guide to maintained status and restoration. Losing status can make you ineligible for many programs.
Beware of Job Offer Scams
Because the new stream depends on employer job offers, some people may try to sell job offers. Paying an employer or recruiter for a job offer is generally prohibited, and a non-genuine offer can lead to refusal and a finding of misrepresentation, with a five-year ban. Only lawyers, Quebec notaries and licensed consultants can charge for immigration advice; check whether someone is an authorized representative.
How a Lawyer Can Help
The OINP redesign closed many familiar routes overnight. A Canada immigration lawyer can review your situation, explain whether you or your employer can use the new stream, protect your status while you plan, and identify federal or other provincial options if Ontario does not fit.
Lewis & Associates LLP is a Toronto immigration law firm helping workers, graduates, employers and families. Book a consultation or contact our office to discuss your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which OINP streams closed in 2026?
Ontario closed eight streams: Employer Job Offer Foreign Worker, International Student and In-Demand Skills; Master’s Graduate; PhD Graduate; and the Express Entry Human Capital Priorities, French-Speaking Skilled Worker and Skilled Trades streams.
What replaced the old OINP streams?
A single new stream, the Ontario Workforce Priority stream, with three pathways: a job offer in a TEER 0–3 occupation, a job offer in a TEER 4–5 occupation, and self-employed physicians.
When did the OINP changes take effect?
Ontario says the amendments came into force on June 25, 2026, and announced the change on June 26, 2026. The EOI portal for the new stream opened on August 4, 2026.
Is the OINP Master’s Graduate stream still open?
No. The Master’s Graduate and PhD Graduate streams closed in June 2026. Graduates now generally need a qualifying Ontario job offer to apply under the new stream.
Does Ontario still have Express Entry streams?
Not as separate streams. Express Entry can be an optional route for some Ontario Workforce Priority applicants with a TEER 0–3 job offer and for self-employed physicians.
What happens to my application under a former stream?
If you applied after receiving an invitation under a former stream, Ontario will assess your application under the requirements in effect when you applied.
What happened to EOIs that had not been invited?
They were automatically withdrawn after the change. You would need to register a new EOI under the Ontario Workforce Priority stream and meet its requirements.
Do I need a job offer for the Ontario Workforce Priority stream?
Yes, except for self-employed physicians who meet the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario and OHIP billing requirements.
How much does the Ontario Workforce Priority stream cost?
There is no fee to register an EOI. The application fee is $1,500 for job offers outside the Greater Toronto Area and $2,000 inside the GTA. Federal fees are separate.
Will Ontario open more streams?
Ontario has said the new stream is the first phase of a two-phase redesign, but as of November 2026 it has not announced the details or timing of the second phase.
This article provides general information as of November 2026 and is not legal advice. Ontario and IRCC programs change often. Every case depends on its own facts. Speak with a lawyer before applying.
