Ontario’s 14,119 nominations open through May 30, 2026
Canada’s largest provincial allocation. On May 30 every current OINP stream is revoked and replaced. Applications submitted before that date are processed under existing rules.
Ontario Program guide
Is the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program right for you?
A complete guide to eligibility, streams, and the path to permanent residence in Ontario.
What is the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program?
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is the province’s immigration program for selecting skilled workers, international graduates, and entrepreneurs for Canadian permanent residence. With 14,119 nomination spots in 2026, Ontario holds the largest provincial allocation in Canada, roughly 15% of the national PNP total.
For Express Entry-aligned streams (Human Capital Priorities and French-Speaking Skilled Worker), a provincial nomination adds 600 points to your CRS score, virtually guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply in the next federal draw. Other streams such as Employer Job Offer are processed as base PNP applications. Federal processing typically takes 6 months for Express Entry-aligned applications, or 11 to 19 months for base PNP.
Important update: regulatory changes filed under Ontario Regulation 421/17 take effect on May 30, 2026. All current OINP streams will be revoked and replaced by a redesigned framework. Applications submitted before May 30 will be processed under the existing rules described below. Applications submitted after that date will follow the new rules.
Who qualifies?
Eligibility depends on the specific stream you apply under. Across all OINP streams, candidates must meet these baseline requirements.
01
Intent to live in Ontario
You must demonstrate genuine intention to live and work in Ontario after receiving permanent residence. Regional draws verify this through your job location.
02
Work experience or qualifications
Each stream defines its own minimum experience or education. Most Employer Job Offer streams require a qualifying job offer from an Ontario employer; Human Capital streams require an active Express Entry profile.
03
Language proficiency
Minimum language requirements vary widely by stream. Human Capital Priorities requires CLB 7; Foreign Worker accepts CLB 5; In-Demand Skills accepts CLB 4 for specific occupations.
04
Settlement funds
Required for streams that demand it. Amounts depend on family size and are updated annually.
Applicants must also be admissible to Canada and pass medical and security checks.
The current OINP streams
Until May 30, 2026, OINP operates through three main categories with multiple streams.
Employer Job Offer — Foreign Worker
For candidates currently working outside Canada or in Canada on a temporary work permit, with a job offer from an eligible Ontario employer in NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.
Employer Job Offer — International Student
For recent graduates of an eligible Canadian post-secondary institution with a qualifying job offer from an Ontario employer.
Employer Job Offer — In-Demand Skills
For candidates with a job offer in TEER 4 or 5 occupations such as home support workers, construction helpers, and farm and livestock workers. Lower language and education thresholds than other streams.
Human Capital Priorities
For candidates already in the federal Express Entry pool whose profiles match Ontario’s labour market priorities. No job offer required, but high CRS competition.
French Speaking Skilled Worker
For francophone candidates in the Express Entry pool with strong French and English proficiency. No job offer required.
The Masters Graduate and PhD Graduate streams have not held draws in 2026. The Skilled Trades stream was suspended in November 2025 due to integrity concerns.
The application process
OINP applications follow a four-stage process for invitation-based streams.
01
Expression of Interest profile
Create a profile in the OINP Expression of Interest system. Profiles are scored based on education, language, work experience, occupation, and Ontario job offer. Profiles must be attested by the draw cutoff date to be eligible.
02
Invitation to Apply
Ontario runs targeted draws by stream and by region (Greater Toronto Area, Southwestern, Central, Eastern, and Northern Ontario). Highest-ranking candidates receive an Invitation to Apply.
03
Provincial application
After receiving an ITA, your employer has 14 calendar days to submit their part of the application. You then have 17 calendar days to submit yours. Provincial processing typically takes 60 to 90 days.
04
Federal permanent residence
Once nominated, apply to IRCC for permanent residence. Express Entry-aligned applications process in approximately 6 months. Base PNP applications take 11 to 19 months.
Why hire an RCIC?
Under Canadian law, only Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs), lawyers, and Québec notaries are authorized to represent applicants before IRCC and provincial immigration authorities. Any other paid representation is unauthorized and puts the application at risk.
A licensed RCIC is accountable to the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC), bound by a strict code of professional conduct, and trained in current immigration law. For Ontario applications specifically, this means correct stream selection, accurate Expression of Interest scoring, employer eligibility verification, and timely filing within Ontario’s tight 14 and 17 day application windows.
Megrez Immigration Consultants has operated as a licensed RCIC firm in Vancouver since 1996. Every Ontario immigration file at the firm is structured, reviewed, and submitted under direct RCIC supervision.
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Ready to start your application?
Book a free consultation with Jose Godoy, RCIC. 30+ years of experience helping skilled workers immigrate to Canada.