Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
What is the Provincial Nominee Program?
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allows participating Canadian provinces and territories to nominate foreign nationals who meet their immigration and economic priorities.
Each province operates its own nomination programs and establishes its own eligibility and selection criteria within Canada's federal immigration framework.
Receiving a provincial nomination does not itself make a person a permanent resident. The province first determines whether it will nominate the candidate. After nomination, the candidate must apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence.
IRCC remains responsible for the final permanent residence decision, including medical, criminal and security admissibility requirements.
What is the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program?
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is Ontario's provincial immigration program.
Through the OINP, Ontario selects foreign nationals who have skills and experience that respond to the province's economic and labour market needs and nominates eligible candidates for Canadian permanent residence.
OINP eligibility is separate from federal permanent residence eligibility. An applicant must satisfy the applicable Ontario requirements to receive a nomination and must subsequently satisfy federal immigration requirements before permanent residence can be granted.
OINP changes in 2026
Ontario significantly redesigned the OINP in 2026.
The previous OINP framework included eight streams:
Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker
Employer Job Offer: International Student
Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills
Masters Graduate
PhD Graduate
Human Capital Priorities
French-Speaking Skilled Worker
Skilled Trades
Those streams were closed as part of the 2026 redesign. Ontario introduced the Ontario Workforce Priority stream under the new OINP framework.
Applications that were already received under the former framework continue to be assessed according to the eligibility requirements that applied when they were submitted.
For new candidates, however, eligibility should be assessed under the current OINP structure rather than relying on information about the former streams.
Continuity requirement under FSW
Unlike CEC, FSW requires that the qualifying one year of work experience be continuous, meaning there cannot be breaks in employment during the qualifying period. Any interruption such as unemployment, unpaid leave, or a change of employer may break continuity and disqualify the experience for minimum eligibility purposes, even if the total number of hours exceeds the requirement.
Ontario Workforce Priority stream
The Ontario Workforce Priority stream provides a pathway to permanent residence for eligible foreign workers with qualifying Ontario job offers and work experience.
Unlike the previous structure, the new stream can accommodate job offers across all National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER categories, although the eligibility requirements differ depending on the TEER category of the position.
Eligible self-employed physicians may also qualify under the Ontario Workforce Priority stream without an employer job offer.
For candidates applying based on employment, the process is employer-led. The Ontario employer must first submit information about the employment position through the OINP Employer Portal. The foreign worker can then register an Expression of Interest.
Candidates cannot simply submit an OINP nomination application whenever they choose. They must first enter the selection system and receive an invitation to apply.
Do I need a job offer for OINP?
Under the current Ontario Workforce Priority stream, most applicants require a qualifying job offer from an eligible Ontario employer.
The employer must participate directly in the process and seek OINP approval of the employment position.
The job offer must satisfy Ontario's requirements, and the employer itself must meet applicable OINP requirements concerning its business operations, Ontario premises, revenue, employees, employment standards and other program criteria.
An important exception exists for certain self-employed physicians, who may qualify without a traditional employer job offer if they satisfy the specific OINP requirements applicable to physicians.
OINP requirements for skilled workers
The exact requirements depend on the candidate's occupation, NOC classification, employment circumstances and other factors.
Under the Ontario Workforce Priority stream, relevant requirements can include work experience, education, English or French language ability, a mandatory licence or professional authorization where required, legal immigration status in Canada where applicable, a qualifying Ontario job offer, an eligible Ontario employer, an intention to live and work in Ontario, and receipt of an invitation to apply.
Applicants must satisfy the applicable eligibility requirements independently of the points they receive through the OINP Expression of Interest system.
Having a competitive OINP score does not overcome failure to satisfy a mandatory eligibility requirement.
Work experience requirements under OINP
The work experience requirement depends substantially on the TEER category of the job offer.
For job offers in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3, an applicant may potentially qualify through different work experience routes.
These include having at least six months of recent consecutive paid full-time experience in the offered position, or at least three months of such experience for certain recent Ontario graduates.
Alternatively, an applicant may qualify through at least two years of eligible paid work experience within the preceding five years in the same or, in certain specifically permitted cases, a related NOC occupation.
Where the offered occupation requires a mandatory licence or other authorization under Ontario or federal law, holding the required authorization can satisfy the applicable work experience component in certain circumstances.
For job offers in TEER 4 or 5, the current program generally requires at least nine months of eligible paid full-time work experience in the offered position within the preceding two years.
The rules are detailed, and the correct NOC classification and employment history can be decisive.
OINP requirements for recent Ontario graduates
Graduating from an Ontario college or university does not automatically qualify a person for provincial nomination.
However, recent Ontario education can significantly affect eligibility under the Ontario Workforce Priority stream.
For certain TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 positions, a recent Ontario graduate may qualify based on at least three months of consecutive paid full-time work experience in the offered employment position within the preceding 12 months.
For this purpose, qualifying recent Ontario credentials can include certain post-secondary degrees or diplomas, Ontario College Graduate Certificates, master's degrees and PhD degrees obtained from eligible Ontario institutions within the applicable period.
Ontario education can also affect the candidate's Expression of Interest score.
The former standalone Masters Graduate, PhD Graduate and International Student streams are no longer open to new candidates under the redesigned 2026 OINP framework.
OINP language requirements
Language requirements under the Ontario Workforce Priority stream depend on the TEER category and occupation.
For most job offers in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3, the minimum requirement is generally Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 6 in each language ability.
For specified skilled trades occupations, the minimum can be CLB 5.
Certain recent graduates of eligible Ontario programs may satisfy the applicable language requirement through their Ontario education without submitting a language test.
For TEER 4 or 5 positions, the current minimum is generally CLB 4 in each language ability.
OINP accepts designated English and French language tests, including IELTS General Training, CELPIP General, PTE Core, TEF Canada and TCF Canada, subject to the applicable program requirements and validity periods.
OINP education requirements
Education requirements also depend on the occupation and TEER category.
For many TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupations, the applicant must have at least a qualifying one-year post-secondary Canadian credential or an equivalent foreign credential.
Different requirements apply to specified skilled trades and certain occupations.
Where foreign education is relied upon, an Educational Credential Assessment may be required to establish Canadian equivalency.
Because the requirements vary according to the NOC and circumstances of the job offer, education should be assessed together with the candidate's occupation rather than in isolation.
OINP employer requirements
For most Ontario Workforce Priority applications, the employer plays a central role in the nomination process.
The employer must generally have been actively carrying on business for at least three years before applying, maintain business premises in Ontario where the applicant will work, and satisfy applicable requirements concerning revenue and the number of Canadian citizens or permanent residents employed by the business.
The employer must also comply with applicable employment and occupational health and safety requirements.
Employer eligibility can depend on whether the position is located inside or outside the Greater Toronto Area.
An otherwise qualified foreign worker cannot receive a nomination through an employer-supported application if the employer or employment position does not satisfy the OINP requirements.
OINP job offer requirements
A qualifying OINP job offer must satisfy the requirements of the Ontario Workforce Priority stream.
The position must be genuine and meet applicable program requirements relating to employment, occupation, wage and location.
The employer must submit the job offer through the OINP Employer Portal before the foreign worker can register an Expression of Interest connected to that position.
Candidates who are already working for the employer must continue to satisfy the employment requirements during the nomination process. Material changes to the position, including duties, wages, hours or other employment conditions, can affect the application and may need to be reported to OINP.
OINP Expression of Interest system
The OINP Expression of Interest (EOI) system is used to rank candidates interested in provincial nomination.
Registering an EOI is not the same as applying for nomination.
Candidates receive points based on factors established by Ontario. Under the current Ontario Workforce Priority system, scoring factors can include NOC TEER category, occupational category, hourly wage, Ontario work experience, Canadian earnings history, immigration status in Canada, education, Canadian education, English or French language ability, knowledge of both official languages, and regional factors.
Ontario may issue invitations based on scores and may also conduct targeted selections based on occupations, regions or other labour market priorities.
There is therefore no permanent OINP cutoff score that guarantees an invitation.
OINP draws and invitations to apply
Ontario periodically issues invitations to candidates in the OINP selection pool.
OINP draws can be broad or targeted. Ontario may prioritize particular occupations, sectors, regions or other labour market needs rather than simply inviting every candidate above a single universal score.
The number and timing of invitations can also change according to Ontario's annual nomination allocation and immigration priorities.
A candidate who meets the minimum eligibility requirements is therefore not guaranteed to receive an invitation.
If an invitation is issued under the Ontario Workforce Priority stream, strict submission deadlines apply to both the candidate and, where applicable, the employer.
Employer Portal and OINP applications
The redesigned OINP uses an employer-led process for applications based on a job offer.
The employer first submits the job offer through Ontario's Employer Portal. The foreign worker then uses the resulting job offer information to register an Expression of Interest.
If Ontario issues an invitation to apply, the employer must submit its application for approval of the employment position within the prescribed deadline.
The applicant must separately submit the nomination application and supporting documents within the applicable deadline.
The employer and applicant components are connected. Failure by the employer to complete its part of the process can prevent the foreign worker's nomination application from proceeding.
OINP for self-employed physicians
The redesigned OINP contains special provisions for eligible self-employed physicians in Ontario.
A qualifying physician may apply under the Ontario Workforce Priority stream without a traditional employer job offer.
To qualify under this route, the physician must meet Ontario's specific professional requirements, including holding an eligible certificate of registration and being a member in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.
The physician must also be eligible to receive payment for publicly funded health services and have an Ontario Health Insurance Plan billing number.
Eligible certificates include those authorizing independent practice, academic practice and qualifying provisional registration.
How does the Provincial Nominee Program connect with Express Entry?
The Provincial Nominee Program and Express Entry are separate immigration systems, but they can work together.
Express Entry is the federal system used by IRCC to manage applications under three federal economic immigration programs: the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW) and Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST).
The Provincial Nominee Program allows a province such as Ontario to nominate candidates who meet provincial immigration and labour market priorities.
A provincial nomination can be processed either through Express Entry or outside Express Entry, depending on the applicable provincial pathway and the candidate's circumstances.
This distinction is important because the immigration process and the effect of the nomination are different.
Express Entry provincial nomination
To receive a provincial nomination through Express Entry, a candidate must independently qualify for at least one of the federal immigration programs managed through Express Entry.
The candidate therefore needs to qualify for CEC, FSW or FST and maintain a valid Express Entry profile.
If the candidate receives an eligible provincial nomination and accepts it through Express Entry, 600 additional CRS points are added to the candidate's Comprehensive Ranking System score.
For example, a candidate with a CRS score of 430 who receives an Express Entry provincial nomination would increase to 1,030 CRS points.
The additional 600 points make a provincial nomination one of the most significant ways of increasing an Express Entry score and can substantially increase the likelihood of receiving an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence in an eligible Express Entry round.
OINP and Express Entry under the new 2026 system
Ontario substantially redesigned the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program in 2026 and closed its former eight streams, including the previous Express Entry Human Capital Priorities, French-Speaking Skilled Worker and Skilled Trades streams.
Under the new Ontario Workforce Priority stream, eligible candidates with job offers in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupations may have the option of receiving their Ontario nomination through the Express Entry system if they also qualify for one of the federal programs managed through Express Entry.
Eligible self-employed physicians may also have an Express Entry nomination option.
This means that eligibility for the Ontario Workforce Priority stream does not automatically mean that a candidate qualifies for an Express Entry nomination.
The candidate must separately satisfy the requirements of an Express Entry program and maintain an eligible Express Entry profile.
OINP without Express Entry
Express Entry is not required for every Ontario provincial nomination.
Candidates who receive a nomination outside Express Entry can apply to IRCC for permanent residence through the non-Express Entry Provincial Nominee Program process.
In that situation, the candidate does not receive 600 CRS points because the permanent residence application is not being selected through the Express Entry CRS system.
Instead, there are two principal stages.
Stage 1: Ontario nomination
Ontario assesses whether the candidate and, where applicable, the employer and employment position satisfy the requirements of the OINP.
Stage 2: Federal permanent residence application
After Ontario issues the nomination, the applicant submits a permanent residence application to IRCC under the Provincial Nominee Program.
IRCC then assesses the federal permanent residence requirements, including admissibility.
Intention to live in Ontario
OINP applicants must genuinely intend to live and work in Ontario.
A provincial nomination is not simply a mechanism for obtaining additional immigration points without a genuine intention to settle in the nominating province.
Ontario can consider evidence of the candidate's circumstances and connections to the province when assessing this requirement.
Relevant circumstances may include current or previous employment in Ontario, education in Ontario, residence in the province, job opportunities, family or social connections and other evidence demonstrating a genuine plan to establish life in Ontario.
An applicant's immigration history and stated plans should be consistent with the intention to settle in Ontario.
What documents are required for an OINP application?
The required documents depend on the applicant's circumstances and the basis of the nomination.
Documents may include passports and identity documents, Canadian immigration status documents, employment reference letters, job offer and employment documents, pay slips, education credentials, Educational Credential Assessments, language test results, professional licences or authorizations, Canadian tax documents, documents supporting work experience, a resumé, documents supporting Expression of Interest scoring factors, and documents demonstrating the intention to live and work in Ontario.
Self-employed physicians require additional professional and OHIP documentation.
The evidence submitted must establish both the mandatory program requirements and any points claimed in the Expression of Interest that resulted in the invitation.
What happens after an Ontario nomination?
If Ontario approves the application, the candidate receives a nomination approval letter and nomination certificate.
Depending on the circumstances, a work permit support letter may also be issued.
An Ontario nomination does not itself grant permanent residence or immigration status.
The applicant must subsequently submit the appropriate permanent residence application to IRCC.
Under the current OINP process, the nomination certificate is generally valid for six months, and the permanent residence application must be submitted before the nomination expires.
For an Express Entry nomination, the nomination is connected to the candidate's Express Entry profile and, once accepted, results in the additional 600 CRS points.
OINP application fees
The provincial application fee under the Ontario Workforce Priority stream depends on the location of the employment position.
For a job offer outside the Greater Toronto Area, the OINP application fee is currently CAD $1,500.
For a job offer within the Greater Toronto Area, including the City of Toronto and Durham, Halton, Peel and York regions, the application fee is currently CAD $2,000.
The same location-based fee structure applies to eligible self-employed physicians based on their Ontario medical practice address.
OINP application fees are separate from the federal permanent residence fees payable to IRCC.
Government fees are subject to change.
Our OINP and Provincial Nominee Program services
Omulique Lawyers assists individuals and Ontario employers with OINP applications and Provincial Nominee Program matters.
Our work includes assessing eligibility under the current Ontario Workforce Priority stream, reviewing NOC classifications, assessing work experience and education, reviewing language requirements, assessing employer and job offer eligibility, reviewing Expression of Interest scoring, preparing provincial nomination applications, organizing supporting documentation and advising on the subsequent federal permanent residence application.
We also assess how provincial nomination fits into a candidate's broader Express Entry strategy, including eligibility under CEC, FSW or FST and the potential effect of an Express Entry provincial nomination.
We assist with complex applications involving immigration history, employer eligibility concerns, changes in employment, previous refusals and other issues that can affect provincial nomination.
Contact us today!
We reply within 1 hour⏱️
416-704-0779 ☎️
