Ontario’s move may reshape permanent residence planning for employers, foreign workers, and international graduates.

After much anticipation, Ontario has announced Phase 1 of the OINP Program Design on June 26, 2026. A second phase is expected to take place at a later date. The changes are intended to simplify the program structure, strengthen program integrity, and give Ontario greater flexibility to respond to labour market needs across the province. While this blog post will focus on program updates, some program integrity changes have been made at this time.

What is changing?

The previous eight streams of the OINP are being replaced with the new Ontario Workforce Priority stream.  The core stream components include a pathway for TEER 0-3 and another for TEER 4-5. Candidates must have a full-time, permanent job offer with an Ontario employer that meets program requirements. Language requirements have now been introduced which previously did not exist for the Foreign Worker and International Student streams. Educational benchmarks are now applicable to all candidates with varying requirements depending on the TEER pathway. Of particular note is the recognition of different types of different work experience within program requirements. 

TEER 0-3 Pathway – Key Criteria

• Applicants will now have additional options to meet the work experience requirement Applicants will need to meet one of four requirements:
  • 6 consecutive months of experience in the last 12 months working for the employer supporting the application in the job offer position
  • 2 cumulative years of work experience in the NOC in the last 5 years. Some previous work experience can be considered in other NOC codes depending on the NOC of the job offer. For example, previous experience as a Licensed practical nurse (32101) or Registered nurses and Psychiatric nurses (31303) can be used toward a job offer for Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates (33102). Alternate NOC work experience is also available for job offers in NOC 33103 (Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants) and for occupations that fall under Sub-Major Group 223 (Technical occupations relating to engineering)
  • Recent Ontario graduates can instead demonstrate 3 consecutive months of experience in the last 12 months working for the employer supporting the application in the job offer position

Licensed applicants continue to be exempt from demonstrating prior work experience.

• Candidates must achieve a CLB of 6 (or 5 for some occupations) on their language test
• Candidates must have a post-secondary degree or diploma (with alternate requirements for NOC 33102)
• Median prevailing wage must be met, however, the low-wage threshold can be met for recent Ontario graduates
• Additional criteria may apply to certain occupations

TEER 4-5 Pathway – Key Criteria

• Candidates must have cumulatively gained 9 months of experience in the last 2 years working for the employer supporting the application in the job offer position

• Candidates must achieve a CLB of 4 on their language test
• Candidates must have a Canadian secondary school diploma (or equivalent)
• Median prevailing wage must be met 

Ontario Workforce Priority Stream – Other Updates of Note

Self-Employed Physicians

Ontario will continue to focus on physicians through these changes. Although self-employed physicians fall under the Ontario Workforce Priority stream, they are not subject to the same conditions as other applicants. They may be eligible for the stream without a job offer if they are a member in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, have a valid of certificate of registration in one of the approved classes (independent, academic or provisional), and are eligible to bill through the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).

Recent Ontario Graduates

A “recent Ontario graduate” is defined in the Regulations as an individual who holds a post-secondary credential from an eligible Ontario institution. Credentials are restricted to diplomas that are 2 years in length or longer (if engaged in full-time studies), Master’s degrees, Ph.D degrees or Ontario college graduate certificates. The definition of “recency” has changed and will now include graduates who have received their credential in the last 3 years (up from 2). 

Company Revenue Requirements

Ontario has indicated that employers in rural communities will be subject to lower minimum revenue requirements. 

Next Steps for Interested Candidates

Applications previously submitted following an invitation to apply will continue to be processed under the previous program criteria.

New Expressions of Interest (EOI) cannot be registered at this time. Both previously registered job offers and EOIs will be removed from the system. Ontario will be updating its application platforms and the EOI system will eventually reopen. Employers will not need to re-register if they already have done so, however, new job offers and EOIs will be needed.

Looking Ahead

For employers, the practical takeaway is that immigration planning should be integrated into workforce planning. Strong documentation, accurate role classification, and early review of eligibility requirements will continue to be important.

For foreign workers and international graduates, the redesign underscores the importance of verifying current criteria before taking steps that depend on OINP eligibility. A job offer, occupation, work location, or prior eligibility under a former stream may not be enough under the redesigned framework unless it aligns with the province’s active selection priorities. Time will tell how Ontario utilizes this new framework to select candidates for permanent residents. 

Green & Spiegel will continue to monitor developments relating to the OINP redesign and will provide updates as additional program criteria, transition rules, and operational guidance become available.  If you have any questions about the new jobs-based immigration program, please contact us.