Ontario Overhauls OINP Immigration Program

In response to rising labor demands and a rapidly evolving job market, Ontario has recently announced a proposal for a comprehensive overhaul of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). As Canada’s largest Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) in terms of application volume and annual quotas, these changes carry significant weight for prospective immigrants.

The proposed updates aim to make Ontario’s selection process more transparent, efficient, and better aligned with the province’s future socio-economic needs. Phan Immigration provides a detailed analysis of the proposed reforms across different phases and new immigration streams.

Phase 1: Restructuring the Employer Job Offer Stream

In the initial stage of the restructuring plan, Ontario proposes merging the three existing Employer Job Offer streams (Foreign Worker, International Student, and In-Demand Skills) into a single Employer Job Offer Stream. This unified stream will be divided into two pathways based on the TEER level of the occupation:

1. Pathway TEER 0–3
2. Pathway TEER 4–5

The goal is to simplify the system, making it easier for businesses to access international talent while targeting the specific labor shortages currently facing Ontario.

Pathway TEER 0–3

This pathway is designed for high-skilled workers, prioritizing candidates already in Canada with relevant professional qualifications. Candidates must meet the following minimum requirements:

Wage Requirements: The job offer must meet the Median wage for the occupation in Ontario.

Exception: International students who graduated from eligible Ontario institutions within the last two years only require a Low wage job offer to qualify.

Work Experience: Candidates must meet one of three criteria:

• At least 6 months of work experience in Ontario in the same NOC as the job offer, working for the same employer;
• OR 2 years of experience in the same NOC within the last 5 years;
• OR Hold a valid license/certification (for regulated professions).

Education: 

• No minimum degree is required for candidates with 6 months of Ontario experience in the same NOC with the same employer.
• Other cases require a post-secondary degree (and an ECA if the degree was obtained outside Canada).

Pathway TEER 4–5

This pathway targets service, care, manufacturing, and other sectors facing severe labor shortages. All NOCs under TEER 4–5 are eligible.

Core Conditions:

• Candidates must have at least 9 months of work experience with the employer listed on the job offer, within the same NOC code.
• Language proficiency requirements will be announced later but will be tailored to the nature of TEER 4–5 roles.

Construction Industry Pathway: Ontario is considering a dedicated pathway specifically to support the construction workforce.

Draw Mechanism:

The province may issue invitations based on Region, Occupation, or specific labor market criteria. This allows Ontario to address localized labor shortages rather than relying solely on a general points system.

Phase 2: Introduction of New Immigration Streams

In the second phase, Ontario proposes phasing out outdated OINP streams and introducing three brand-new streams to attract high-quality human capital, entrepreneurs, and exceptional talent.

1. Priority Healthcare Stream

A vital new stream aimed at attracting high-skilled healthcare professionals—one of Ontario’s most critical shortage areas.

• No job offer required.
• Requires valid professional registration from Ontario regulatory bodies.
• May be open to recent graduates awaiting final licensing procedures.

Target sectors: Nursing, medical technology, pharmacy, physiotherapy, mental health support, etc.

2. Entrepreneur Stream

After a two-year hiatus, Ontario will redesign and reopen the Entrepreneur Stream to attract immigrants capable of:

• Establishing a new business in Ontario; or
• Purchasing and operating an existing business (Business Succession).

Focus: Actual business activity, job creation for Ontario residents, and long-term economic impact.

3. Exceptional Talent Stream

Designed to attract world-class talent in academia, science, creativity, innovation, and technology.

Target candidates: Renowned scholars, researchers, inventors, and recipients of prestigious national or international awards.

Evidence of Excellence: High-impact publications, research influence, innovation records, patents, or globally recognized creative works.

Assessment: Selection will be based on qualitative assessment rather than just rigid administrative criteria.

Closing Remarks

As the primary destination for international workers and students in Canada, Ontario’s OINP reform is a strategic move for both applicants and local businesses. These changes signal a shift toward a system that is:

• Simpler (fewer streams)
• More Transparent (clearer criteria)
• More Flexible (targeted draws by region/industry)
• Need-Driven (focused on actual labor market gaps)

Currently, the province has not announced changes to the OINP Graduate Streams or the Express Entry-linked streams. Most of these reforms are expected to take effect in 2026. However, specific documentation requirements and detailed conditions are still being finalized. Follow the Phan Immigration Fanpage for the latest Canadian immigration updates!

Phan Immigration is a licensed immigration consultancy authorized by the Government of Canada. Our team of experts will accompany you through:

• Assessing your current profile status.
• Strategizing to optimize your chances of receiving a government invitation.
• Providing full and accurate legal support.
• Assisting with the application process and future updates.

Contact us today to build your successful Canadian immigration strategy! Hotline: 078 208 4466 (Vietnam) | +1 647 390 0912 (Canada)