As of June 25, Ontario closed its eight existing OINP streams and replaced them with a job-offer-based Workforce Priority stream.
What happened
On June 26, 2026, Ontario announced phase one of its Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) redesign. Amendments to Ontario Regulation 422/17, in force since June 25, removed the eight existing streams and created the Ontario Workforce Priority stream. The closed streams are the three Employer Job Offer streams (Foreign Worker, In-Demand Skills, International Student), the Master's Graduate and PhD Graduate streams, and the Express Entry Human Capital Priorities, French-Speaking Skilled Worker and Skilled Trades streams. The Expression of Interest (EOI) system closed to new registrations, and no further invitations will be issued under the former streams.
Who is affected
EOIs and job offers under the former streams that did not lead to an invitation will be withdrawn automatically; candidates must register again once the system reopens. Employers already registered do not need to re-register but must submit a new job offer. Applications already submitted after an invitation are assessed under the rules in place when they were filed.
The new stream has three pathways: TEER 0 to 3 job offers, TEER 4 and 5 job offers, and self-employed physicians practising in Ontario. According to the province's program page, the job-offer pathways require a full-time, permanent offer from an Ontario employer. The TEER 0 to 3 pathway generally requires CLB 6 (CLB 5 for certain trades) and at least a one-year post-secondary credential; the TEER 4 and 5 pathway requires CLB 4 and a secondary school diploma.
What it means
There is no longer a separate no-job-offer route for master's and PhD graduates; an Ontario job offer is now central. Ontario describes this as the first of two phases, with other streams still to come.
(Update: Ontario opened the EOI portal for the new stream on August 4, 2026.)
Key points
- All eight former OINP streams closed as of June 25, 2026
- The new stream is built around full-time, permanent Ontario job offers
- Uninvited EOIs under old streams are withdrawn and must be re-registered
- Applications already submitted keep the rules in place when filed
Based on official information available at the time of the announcement. General information only, not legal advice. Immigration rules change often; IRCC and provincial websites prevail.