At a glance
- Ontario launches the first phase of its redesigned OINP.
- New Workforce Priority stream replaces previous employer-driven streams, and a dedicated pathway has been introduced for eligible self-employed physicians.
- Existing EOIs have been withdrawn, and new job offers and EOIs will be required when the updated system reopens later this summer.
- Updated eligibility requirements and strengthened employer compliance measures are now in effect.
Effective June 26, 2026, Ontario launched the first phase of its redesign of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). Through amendments to Ontario Regulation 422/17 under the Ontario Immigration Act, 2015, the province has replaced its existing employer-driven streams with a new Ontario Workforce Priority stream and introduced a dedicated pathway for eligible self-employed physicians.
As part of the transition:
- All existing OINP streams have closed.
- No further invitations will be issued under the previous streams.
- Existing Expressions of Interest (EOIs) and associated job offers that have not received an invitation will be automatically withdrawn.
- Employers and candidates will need to submit new job offers and EOIs once the updated system reopens, which is expected later this summer.
The redesign is intended to simplify employer-driven permanent residence pathways, better align nominations with Ontario's labour market needs and improve access for employers in rural and northern communities.
New Workforce Priority stream
The new Workforce Priority stream introduces separate pathways based on occupational skill level for candidates with a full-time, permanent job offer.
For candidates in TEER 0 to 3 occupations, the stream generally introduces higher language and education requirements while revising work experience requirements, including lower experience thresholds for certain recent Ontario graduates.
Candidates will typically require:
- a full-time, permanent job offer,
- qualifying work experience (with lower thresholds for recent Ontario graduates) with an exemption for licenced applicants,
- minimum language proficiency of CLB 6 (CLB 5 for certain occupations); and
- a post-secondary diploma or degree.
For TEER 4–5 occupations, candidates will generally require:
- a full-time, permanent job offer,
- at least nine months of recent work experience with the Ontario employer,
- CLB 4 language proficiency,
- a Canadian secondary school diploma (or equivalent); and
- wages meeting the median wage for the occupation.
Ontario has also lowered employer revenue thresholds for businesses located in qualifying rural communities, making the program more accessible to smaller employers outside major urban centres.
New pathway for self-employed physicians
Ontario has introduced a dedicated pathway for eligible self-employed physicians. Unlike the Workforce Priority stream, eligible physicians are not required to have a job offer.
To qualify, physicians must:
- be members in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO),
- hold an eligible certificate of registration (Independent, Academic, or Provisional); and
- be eligible to bill through the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).
This new pathway addresses a longstanding gap under the previous OINP streams, where many physicians practising as independent contractors could not satisfy the employer job offer requirement despite providing essential healthcare services in Ontario.
What employers and applicants need to know
Employers with candidates currently in the OINP pipeline should be aware of the transition rules:
- No further invitations will be issued under the former streams.
- Applications already submitted following an invitation under the previous streams will continue to be processed under the rules in effect when they were submitted.
- Employers registered in the employer portal do not need to register again.
- Once the updated portal reopens, employers must submit new job offers and obtain approval of the employment position before candidates can register a new EOI under the Workforce Priority stream.
Employers should also review employees who may be affected by the revised eligibility requirements, particularly the increased language and education thresholds, and consider whether alternative immigration strategies may be appropriate during the transition period.
Program integrity changes
Ontario has also strengthened its compliance framework by:
- Reducing the response period for Notices of Intent to issue an Administrative Monetary Penalty or Ban Order from 60 days to 30 days.
- Permitting notices to be served by email, mail or in person, with delivery deemed effective without proof of receipt.
Employers should ensure that the appropriate contacts and monitored email addresses are kept up to date so that OINP communications receive prompt attention.
Looking ahead
This marks the first phase of Ontario’s OINP redesign, with additional reforms expected as part of the second phase. Employers should continue to monitor developments and review their permanent residence strategies as further details become available.
BDO Law will continue to monitor these developments and provide updates as additional information is released. If you have questions about how these changes may affect your organization or workforce planning, please contact our Immigration Services leader.
The information in this publication is current as of July 8, 2026.
This publication has been carefully prepared, but it has been written in general terms and should be seen as broad guidance only. The publication cannot be relied upon to cover specific situations and you should not act, or refrain from acting, upon the information contained therein without obtaining specific professional advice. Please contact BDO Canada LLP to discuss these matters in the context of your particular circumstances. BDO Canada LLP, its partners, employees and agents do not accept or assume any liability or duty of care for any loss arising from any action taken or not taken by anyone in reliance on the information in this publication or for any decision based on it.