Your Path to Permanent Residence in Ontario

What Is the Ontario PNP (OINP)?

Quick answer: The Ontario PNP, or Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), is Ontario’s Provincial Nominee Program. It nominates people with the skills Ontario needs for Canadian permanent residence. Since 25 June 2026, the OINP has one active stream, the Ontario Workforce Priority stream, which requires a qualifying Ontario job offer (except for self-employed physicians). A nomination lets you apply to IRCC for PR. If you are in TEER 0–3 and opt into Express Entry, it adds 600 CRS points.

Ontario is one of several provinces with its own nominee programme. Read our Migrate to Canada guide for an overview of every PR option.

OINP 2026 Changes: What Happened to the Old Streams?

Many people still search for the OINP Masters Graduate stream, the International Student stream or the Human Capital Priorities draws. All of these closed to new applicants on 25 June 2026 under amendments to Ontario Regulation 422/17.

Transition: Applications already submitted under former streams are assessed under the rules in force when they were filed. EOIs that had not received an invitation were withdrawn, and candidates must register again under the new stream. Ontario has said the redesign has two phases, so further changes may follow.

Ontario Workforce Priority Stream Requirements

TEER 0, 1, 2 and 3 jobs explained

Canada classifies jobs by TEER (Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities) under the NOC 2021 system:

• TEER 0: management roles.
• TEER 1: jobs that usually need a degree, such as engineers, accountants and teachers.
• TEER 2–3: jobs that need a college diploma, apprenticeship or training, such as technicians, cooks and many skilled trades.
• TEER 4–5: jobs that need high school or short on-the-job training.

Employer requirements

Your employer must meet minimum revenue and Canadian staffing levels, which are lower for rural areas. The employer must offer a wage that meets Ontario’s prescribed minimum and submit the job offer through the OINP Employer Portal. If you are outside Canada or not working in Ontario, recruitment evidence is also needed.

OINP EOI Points: How Ontario Ranks Candidates

The Workforce Priority stream uses an Expression of Interest (EOI) system with 11 factors and a maximum of 132 points (117 for self-employed physicians):

Age is not an EOI factor. This matters if you are moving to Canada from the UK over 40, because federal Express Entry reduces age points after 30. Use our Canada PR points calculator to see your federal CRS score.

OINP Draws and Processing Time (2026)

The Workforce Priority EOI portal opened on 4 August 2026. As of mid-October 2026, Ontario had not published any Workforce Priority invitation rounds or cut-off scores. Earlier 2026 draws, such as the April 2026 employer job offer draws, were held under the former streams. Ontario does not publish a fixed nomination processing time. After an invitation, the employer has 14 days and the candidate 17 days to file.

OINP Nomination and Express Entry: The +600 CRS Points

A provincial nomination through Express Entry adds 600 points to your CRS score, which in practice leads to an Invitation to Apply in the next PNP draw. TEER 0–3 nominees and self-employed physicians with an active Express Entry profile can choose this route, accept within 30 days and then apply for PR within 60 days of the ITA. TEER 4–5 nominees receive a base nomination and apply to IRCC directly, which usually takes longer. Learn more on our Canada Express Entry page.

PR Pathways in Ontario for International Students and Master’s Graduates

With the Masters Graduate and International Student streams closed, graduates of Ontario universities and colleges (including searches such as “University of Windsor PR pathway”) now have these main options:

• Workforce Priority (TEER 0–3): a qualifying job offer plus only 3 months’ experience with that employer for recent Ontario graduates. Graduates may be exempt from the language test, but they earn no language points without one.
• Federal Express Entry: through the Canadian Experience Class after 12 months of skilled Canadian work, or through category-based draws.
• Other provinces: some provinces still run graduate or job-offer streams, such as British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and the Northwest Territories.

The scoring still rewards Canadian study. A master’s earns 8 education points and a doctorate 10, with separate points for Canadian credentials.

Success Rate of PNP Canada: Does a Nomination Guarantee PR?

There is no official “success rate” for the Ontario PNP. Your chances depend on your EOI score, your job offer and how often Ontario holds draws. A provincial nomination does not guarantee PR. IRCC still checks your medical admissibility, security, criminality and documents. If you have a past conviction, read our guide to criminal inadmissibility and TRPs in Canada before applying. Most well-prepared nominees go on to receive PR, but accurate and complete documents are essential.

Ontario PNP for Teachers, Cooks and Other Occupations

• Teachers: most teaching roles are TEER 1. You need certification from the Ontario College of Teachers and a qualifying job offer.
• Cooks: cooks are TEER 3, so a full-time permanent Ontario job offer can qualify under the TEER 0–3 pathway.
• Personal support workers and other TEER 4–5 roles: these can now qualify through the essential worker pathway with CLB 4.

Compare Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs

Once you settle in Canada as a PR, you can later qualify for Canadian citizenship.

How GIEC Global’s Canada Immigration Consultants Help

Ontario’s 2026 redesign means old advice about the Masters, PhD and Human Capital streams no longer applies. GIEC Global’s Canada immigration consultants, supporting clients from the UK, India and worldwide, help you:

• check your Ontario PNP eligibility under the Workforce Priority stream;
• estimate your EOI points and federal CRS score;
• prepare documents and meet the 14- and 17-day filing deadlines;
• compare Ontario with other PNPs and Express Entry; and
• plan your PR application with IRCC after nomination.

Reviewed by the GIEC Global Canada immigration team. Information reflects the OINP redesign effective 25 June 2026, the Ontario Workforce Priority stream as at mid-October 2026, Ontario’s 2026 nomination allocation and IRCC permanent residence fees from 30 April 2026. Last reviewed 31 October 2026. The OINP is changing quickly – always confirm current requirements on ontario.ca and canada.ca before applying.