Permanent Residency
Explore skilled migration and permanent residence pathways based on your profile and goals.
Explore PR OptionsProgram overview
What is the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program?
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) allows Ontario to nominate eligible applicants who meet the province's economic immigration requirements. Ontario assesses provincial nomination applications; Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) makes the final decision on permanent residence.
Important 2026 reform: Effective June 25, 2026, Ontario closed its eight former OINP streams and introduced the Ontario Workforce Priority stream. The new Expression of Interest (EOI) portal opened on August 4, 2026. Earlier applications validly submitted under former streams continue to be assessed under the rules applicable when submitted.
This guide describes the redesigned program rather than the former Human Capital Priorities, Masters Graduate, PhD Graduate and Employer Job Offer streams. Program selection and application requirements may change.
On this page
PathwaysEligibilityEmployer requirementsEOI & selectionFeesProcessingHow to applyDocumentsFAQsOINP Points CalculatorFree online assessment
Ontario PNP Points Calculator
Want to check your potential Ontario immigration eligibility? Use our OINP calculator to review your score and receive an initial assessment. The result is indicative and does not guarantee eligibility, an invitation or provincial nomination. Check that the calculator reflects the applicable 2026 pathway before relying on its result.
Check Your OINP Score →2026 program structure
Ontario Workforce Priority stream pathways
The redesigned OINP covers job offers across National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER categories and a separate option for qualifying self-employed physicians.
TEER 0–3 pathway
For eligible workers with a full-time, permanent Ontario job offer in a TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupation and qualifying experience, education, language and employer support.
TEER 4–5 pathway
For eligible workers with a qualifying full-time, permanent Ontario job offer in a TEER 4 or 5 occupation, subject to distinct experience, education and language rules.
Self-employed physicians
Eligible self-employed physicians may qualify without a job offer if they meet Ontario's professional registration and provincial health insurance billing conditions.
Ontario's former eight streams are closed to new registrations; they should not be treated as alternative active application routes.
Before applying
Ontario PNP eligibility requirements
Eligibility is assessed against the relevant pathway and occupation. The table below summarizes key rules; exceptions and additional conditions apply.
| Requirement | TEER 0–3 | TEER 4–5 |
|---|---|---|
| Job offer | Qualifying permanent, full-time Ontario offer | Qualifying permanent, full-time Ontario offer |
| Work experience | Generally one qualifying route: 6 consecutive months with the offering employer within 12 months; 3 months for certain recent Ontario graduates; 2 cumulative years in a qualifying NOC within 5 years; or eligible mandatory licensing | At least 9 months cumulative paid full-time experience in the offered position with the employer within the preceding 2 years |
| Language | Generally CLB 6; CLB 5 for listed skilled trades. Certain eligible recent Ontario graduates can satisfy a credential-based exemption | Generally CLB 4 in all four abilities |
| Education | Generally a qualifying postsecondary credential; different criteria for listed skilled trades and certain regulated occupations | Canadian secondary school diploma or equivalent |
| Additional factors | Relevant licensing, legal status if in Canada, intention to reside in Ontario, employer and job-position approval, and evidence supporting EOI claims | |
Language tests and education equivalency evidence must satisfy the current official criteria. Do not assume that a particular job title or an Ontario job offer alone guarantees eligibility.
Employer support
Ontario employer and job-offer requirements
For employer-supported pathways, the Ontario employer initiates the process in the OINP Employer Portal and seeks approval of the employment position. The offer generally must be full-time and permanent, with appropriate pay and employment conditions. Employer business, operating history, staffing and revenue requirements apply, with specific accommodations for rural communities.
The candidate must be able to substantiate the offered occupation, work experience and any required professional licensing. For eligible self-employed physicians, Ontario provides a distinct route based on professional registration and eligibility to bill through OHIP.
Applicants without an Ontario job offer should not assume they qualify for a general no-job-offer OINP stream under the redesigned program.
Selection system
Ontario Workforce Priority EOI and selection
The OINP opened registration for the new Workforce Priority EOI system on August 4, 2026. An EOI is an expression of interest, not a nomination or permanent residence application. Eligible candidates may be invited to apply based on the applicable scoring factors and provincial selection priorities.
EOI factors can include occupation, wage, Canadian work experience, education, language and regional employment location. Ontario updated its Canadian earnings-history scoring factor in October 2026: qualifying annual Canadian earnings of at least CAD 80,000 in a single year within the past five years receive 10 points under that factor, subject to the official verification rules.
There is no universal guaranteed invitation score. This page intentionally does not display invitation rounds, cutoff scores or historical draw tables, which change frequently.
Government charges
Ontario PNP fees in 2026
| Ontario Workforce Priority application | Provincial fee (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Qualifying Ontario job offer or physician practice outside the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) | $1,500 |
| Qualifying Ontario job offer or physician practice within the GTA | $2,000 |
Federal PR fees, biometrics, medical examinations, language tests, educational assessments and professional service charges are separate. Always check the official fee shown when submitting an application.
Timeline
OINP processing time and nomination
There is no single guaranteed processing time. The time needed depends on employer-position approval, EOI selection, completeness of the application, program workload and any additional review. IRCC's permanent residence processing is a separate stage after provincial nomination.
To keep this service page accurate without frequent edits, fixed processing-day estimates and draw dates have been omitted.
Application journey
How to apply for Ontario PNP in 2026
1
Check the correct pathway
Identify the NOC and TEER category, review job-offer requirements and confirm work experience, language, education and licensing eligibility.
2
Coordinate with the Ontario employer
For employer-supported applications, the employer begins the process through the Employer Portal. Eligible self-employed physicians follow their applicable route.
3
Register an Expression of Interest
Provide accurate information and retain evidence for all claimed EOI factors.
4
Apply if invited
Follow the invitation instructions and deadline, upload the required evidence and pay the applicable provincial fee.
5
Complete employer-position approval
Where applicable, the employer submits the required position-approval application and supporting records.
6
Apply for permanent residence if nominated
Use the appropriate IRCC process and maintain all required eligibility and status conditions.
Preparation checklist
OINP documents checklist
- Passport and identity documents
- Current Canadian immigration status, if applicable
- Language results or applicable exemption evidence
- Education credentials and ECA, if required
- Employment history and pay evidence
- Job offer and employer records, if required
- Licensing or physician registration evidence, if applicable
- Evidence supporting EOI claims and Ontario settlement intention
This is a planning checklist. Use the current official pathway-specific checklist when preparing an application.
Ontario PNP FAQs
Ontario closed its eight former streams effective June 25, 2026 and introduced the Ontario Workforce Priority stream. Applications already submitted under a former stream are assessed under the rules in force when submitted.
Ontario announced that registration for the new stream opened on August 4, 2026. Check the current portal and program notices before registering.
The self-employed physician pathway may accept eligible physicians without a job offer. Most other Ontario Workforce Priority applicants need an eligible permanent, full-time Ontario job offer supported by their employer.
Some candidates outside Canada may qualify with an eligible Ontario job offer and the required work experience, language and education. Being outside Canada does not itself establish eligibility.
Yes. The new stream includes a TEER 4–5 pathway, subject to its own work-experience, language, education and employer requirements.
For TEER 0–3, the standard is generally CLB 6, or CLB 5 for listed skilled trades, with an eligible Ontario graduate credential exemption in specified cases. TEER 4–5 generally requires CLB 4.
The Ontario Workforce Priority provincial application fee is CAD 1,500 for a qualifying job outside the Greater Toronto Area and CAD 2,000 for a qualifying job within it. Other costs are additional.
No. Ontario issues provincial nominations; Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada makes the final permanent residence decision.
For employer-supported applications, the employer initiates the process through the Employer Portal and must seek approval of the employment position. The candidate registers an EOI and applies if invited.
There is no universal guaranteed timeframe. EOI selection, employer approval, provincial assessment and federal PR processing are separate stages.
No. Ontario lists the former eight streams as closed under the June 2026 redesign. Existing applications submitted after a valid invitation may still be assessed under their former rules.
No. Invitations depend on the provincial selection process and priorities. Meeting minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee an invitation or nomination.
