Canada: Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program Redesign; Phase 1 Launches Workforce Priority Stream

The situation 

Ontario has implemented the first phase of a significant redesign of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), effective June 26, 2026. The changes eliminate the program's existing eight nomination streams and introduce a new Ontario Workforce Priority stream, which will serve as the primary pathway for employer-sponsored permanent residence nominations.  

The redesign introduces new language and education requirements, expands access for self-employed physicians, provides greater flexibility for employers in rural communities and strengthens compliance and enforcement measures. 

A closer look 

• • New Ontario Workforce Priority stream replaces existing OINP streams. The new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream consists of three pathways: one for workers in National Occupational Classification (NOC) Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) 0-3 higher-skilled occupations, one for workers in TEER 4-5 lower-skilled occupations and one for eligible self-employed physicians. The province's Expression of Interest (EOI) system (the process through which eligible candidates register their interest in provincial nomination and may be invited to apply for permanent residence) is expected to reopen in July or August 2026. 
  • Updated eligibility requirements. The stream introduces revised eligibility criteria, including new work experience, language and education requirements that vary by pathway. For detailed eligibility requirements for each Ontario Workforce Priority stream pathway, see the Ontario government's program guidance. 
  • Enhanced compliance measures. Ontario has also revised certain compliance and enforcement procedures, including shorter response periods for certain notices and updated methods for serving notices of contravention. 

Impact 

• • Transition measures. Ontario has temporarily closed the EOI system while it implements the new stream. The province will withdraw existing EOIs that did not receive an invitation to apply and will not issue any further invitations under the former streams. Once the Employer Portal reopens, employers must submit new job offers to support new EOIs under the Ontario Workforce Priority stream. Ontario will continue processing permanent residence applications submitted under the former streams according to the eligibility requirements in effect at the time of application. 
  • Employers. Employers seeking to support foreign workers for permanent residence through the OINP should anticipate a temporary interruption in new provincial nominations while Ontario transitions to the new stream. They should also review their current workforce and future hiring plans against the revised eligibility criteria, as some employees who may have qualified under the previous framework may no longer meet the new language or education requirements. Employers in eligible rural communities (defined as census divisions with populations of less than 150,000) will benefit from lower gross annual revenue thresholds for all Ontario Workforce Priority Stream pathways, potentially expanding access to the program. 
  • Foreign nationals. Foreign nationals whose EOIs did not receive an invitation under the previous streams will need to submit a new EOI once the Ontario Workforce Priority stream opens. Candidates should also assess whether they meet the new eligibility requirements before registering under the redesigned program. 

Background 

• • Program redesign. The changes represent the first phase of Ontario's most significant restructuring of the OINP employer nomination program in recent years. According to the Ontario government, the redesign aims to streamline permanent residence pathways for foreign nationals with job offers in Ontario, help employers retain workers in hard-to-fill occupations, introduce revised language and education requirements and expand access for employers in rural and northern communities. 
  • Previous changes. As part of the redesign, Ontario discontinued several OINP streams on May 30, 2026. Effective June 26, 2026, the remaining streams were replaced by the Ontario Workforce Priority stream. The government has indicated that these changes reflect stakeholder feedback received through the Ontario Regulatory Registry and additional consultations. 

Looking ahead 

Ontario has indicated that these changes are the first phase of a broader redesign of the OINP, with additional reforms expected. In the coming months, employers and foreign nationals should monitor the reopening of the EOI system, implementation of the Ontario Workforce Priority stream and announcements regarding subsequent phases of the redesign. 

Fragomen will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as they become available. 

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at  Fragomen.