Major OINP Changes 2026: New Ontario Workforce Priority Stream
- Surjeet Singh
- Jun 26
- 7 min read
Updated: Jun 30
Major changes have officially arrived for Canada immigration hopefuls looking to settle in Ontario. Effective June 26, 2026, the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development enacted sweeping amendments to Ontario Regulation 422/17 under the Ontario Immigration Act. In the biggest provincial immigration shakeup in years, these latest OINP updates completely retire 8 of the province's most popular immigration streams to launch the brand-new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream.
This marks Phase 1 of a massive two-phase program redesign focused on streamlining pathways to permanent residence (PR), increasing language and education benchmarks, and strengthening program integrity.
Here is everything you need to know about what changed today, what pathways are open, and how this impacts your immigration journey.
What OINP Streams are Closed?
If you had an active Expression of Interest (EOI) or were planning to apply under the former system, take note. The following 8 streams are permanently closed:
Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker
Employer Job Offer: International Student
Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills
Master’s Graduate
PhD Graduate
Express Entry: Human Capital Priorities
Express Entry: French-speaking Skilled Worker
Express Entry: Skilled Trades
What happens to existing profiles?
If you already submitted a full application: Your application will continue to be processed and assessed against the eligibility rules that were active at the time you submitted.
If you only have a registered EOI: The EOI system is now closed to new entries. Unselected EOIs under the old streams will be automatically withdrawn over the coming weeks as platforms update. Affected applicants, employers, and representatives will receive a direct notice.
Introducing the New Ontario Workforce Priority Stream
The newly launched stream shifts Ontario's focus toward candidates with secured employment and higher skill profiles. It introduces three specific pathways based on the National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER system:
1. TEER 0–3 Pathway (High-Skilled Workers)
Designed for managers, professionals, and technical workers holding a full-time, permanent job offer in Ontario.
Education: Minimum post-secondary degree or diploma.
Language: Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 6 (CLB 5 permitted for specific occupations).
Work Experience Requirements (Must meet one of the following):
6 months consecutive work within the last 12 months in the same job with the same employer; OR
3 months consecutive work within the last 12 months for recent Ontario post-secondary graduates (holding an eligible degree/diploma of 2 years or more, master’s, PhD, or graduate certificate completed within the last 3 years); OR
2 years cumulative experience in the same NOC occupation within the last 5 years.
NOTE: Licensed applicants in regulated professions are exempt from these work experience minimums.
Crucial Update for International Graduates: The 3-Year Eligibility Window
For international students and recent graduates, the most impactful policy shift is the extension of the post-graduation application timeline. Under the former Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream, applicants were strictly mandated to submit their applications within two years of obtaining their educational credential.
Pursuant to the new 2026 regulations, eligible Ontario post-secondary graduates are now granted an extended 3-year window from the date of graduation to submit an application. This additional year provides critical flexibility for graduates to secure qualifying employment and fulfill the streamlined 3-month work experience requirement under the new framework.
2. TEER 4–5 Pathway (Intermediate & Semi-Skilled Workers)
For workers with permanent, full-time job offers in lower-skilled or entry-level occupations.
Wage Requirement: Must pay at least the median wage for that occupation in Ontario.
Work Experience: At least 9 months cumulative experience within the past 2 years in the same job with the same employer.
Education: Secondary school diploma or equivalent.
Language: Minimum CLB 4.
3. Self-Employed Physicians Pathway
Physicians do not require a job offer to qualify under this stream, provided they meet the following:
Member in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO).
Hold a valid certificate of registration (independent, academic, or provisional).
Eligible to bill through the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).
Important Rules for Ontario Employers
To support a worker under the new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream, employers must meet strict corporate criteria:
Requirement | Inside Greater Toronto Area (GTA) | Major CMAs* | Outside GTA & Major CMAs |
Minimum Gross Revenue | $1,000,000 (most recent fiscal yr) | $500,000 (most recent fiscal yr) | $250,000 (past 2 fiscal yrs) |
Full-Time Staff (PR or Citizen) | Minimum 5 employees | Minimum 3 employees | Minimum 3 employees |
*Note: Major CMAs outside the GTA include Ottawa, Waterloo, Hamilton, Niagara, Essex, Wellington, Greater Sudbury, Frontenac, Brant, Peterborough, Hastings, and Thunder Bay ($500,000 revenue threshold applies).
Note: At the discretion of the director, an employer may be required to prove they made reasonable but unsuccessful efforts to fill the position with a Canadian citizen or PR before offering it to the applicant.
Wage Level Requirements
The wage must equal or exceed the median wage for the occupation in the region based on federal Job Bank data. (If current data is unavailable, historical or nationwide data is used).
Exception: Recent Ontario graduates applying under the TEER 0–3 pathway only need to meet or exceed the low-wage level. Furthermore, if the candidate is already working for the employer, the new wage must be at least what they are currently being paid.
Equity Restrictions
The applicant and their family members must not hold 10% or more equity in the employer's business. Any equity held under 10% is only permitted if it was obtained specifically as employee compensation.
Transport Occupations Exemption
Truck drivers and transport operators can be exempt from the "predominantly in Ontario" work rule if:
The job offer is NOC 73300 or 73301.
The employer has a valid CVOR certificate.
The employer has a safety rating of "Excellent" or "Satisfactory" under Ontario's Highway Traffic Act.
What's Coming Next? (Phase 2)
The province has confirmed this is only the first phase of an ongoing program overhaul. Later down the line, Ontario intends to launch three additional streams:
Priority Healthcare Stream (No job offer required for licensed/pathway-to-license professionals).
Entrepreneur Stream (For business owner-operators).
Exceptional Talent Stream (For world-class achievers in tech, science, arts, culture, and academia).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When can I submit a new profile under the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream?
While the regulatory changes are effective immediately (as of June 26, 2026), the online Expression of Interest (EOI) system is temporarily offline for upgrades. The province anticipates reopening the system later this summer, at which point eligible candidates can build new profiles.
What is the most significant policy change for international students in the OINP 2026 update?
The most critical amendment is the expansion of the graduate eligibility timeline. While the previous framework restricted applicants to a 2-year window post-graduation, the new TEER 0–3 Pathway officially permits eligible Ontario graduates to apply for up to 3 years following the issuance of their credential.
I have a pending EOI under a closed stream. Will it still be drawn?
No. All old streams are permanently closed and no further invitations will be issued under them. Any pending EOIs that did not receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) will be automatically withdrawn by the province over the coming weeks.
Does my employer need to register again if they already have an account?
No, employers with active profiles in the OINP Employer Portal do not need to create a new account. However, once the portal reopens, they will need to submit a brand-new job offer and complete a new application for approval of an employment position to support your new EOI profile.
What counts as a "Rural Community" under the new guidelines?
For lowered employer revenue thresholds, Ontario defines a rural community as any community situated within a census division that has a total population of less than 150,000 people.
If I am an international graduate from Ontario, do I still need a job offer?
Yes. Under Phase 1 of the new system, both the TEER 0–3 and TEER 4–5 pathways require a permanent, full-time job offer from an eligible Ontario employer. However, as an Ontario graduate, your required consecutive work experience with that employer is reduced to just 3 months (instead of 6).
Can the job offer be a limited-term contract?
To be eligible, the job offer must be full-time and of indeterminate duration (meaning it cannot be a limited-term contract). It must also be urgently necessary for the employer's business and cannot affect the settlement of any ongoing labor disputes.
What are the wage requirements for a job offer under the new stream?
The job offer must meet two conditions. First, it must pay a wage equal to or greater than the regional median wage for that occupation (based on federal Job Bank data). Second, if you are already working for the employer, the offer cannot give you a pay cut. It must pay at least what you are currently earning.
Exception: Recent Ontario graduates applying under the TEER 0–3 pathway only need to meet or exceed the low-wage level for their occupation, though it still cannot be lower than their current pay if they are already employed there.
Are there any exemptions for transport workers?
Yes. Generally, the work must be performed predominantly in Ontario. However, transport occupations (specifically NOC 73300 or 73301) can be exempt from this rule if the employer holds a valid CVOR certificate and maintains a safety rating of "Excellent" or "Satisfactory" under Ontario's Highway Traffic Act
Can I own shares in the company that is offering me the job?
Generally, no. The applicant and their family members must not hold 10% or more equity in the employer's business. If you hold under 10% equity, it is only permitted if those shares were obtained specifically as employee compensation.
Navigating major provincial policy updates can be complex. If you want to assess your eligibility under the new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream or find out how to prepare your profile for the summer launch, contact the team at Canadore Immigration, your trusted immigration consultant in Barrie, today.
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