Ontario is Canada's most popular province for immigration — and its PNP is about to undergo the biggest overhaul in the program's history. On May 30, 2026, nine existing OINP categories will be formally revoked and replaced with three new streams.
If you're planning to apply through the current system, the clock is ticking. Here's everything you need to know.
The May 30, 2026 overhaul
Ontario has confirmed that all existing OINP selection streams will lose their legal basis on May 30, 2026. Three brand-new streams are replacing them:
1. Priority Healthcare — Dedicated stream for healthcare professionals (nurses, doctors, allied health workers). This replaces the healthcare-focused draws under Human Capital Priorities and Employer Job Offer.
2. Exceptional Talent — Targets high-achieving individuals in tech, research, arts, and business. Think of this as Ontario's answer to the US EB-1A extraordinary ability category.
3. Revamped Entrepreneur Stream — Redesigned to be more accessible, with lower investment thresholds and faster processing.
Details on the new streams are still emerging. We'll update this guide as Ontario publishes the full requirements.
Current OINP streams (until May 30, 2026)
Human Capital streams (no job offer required)
Human Capital Priorities The most popular stream. OINP issues Notifications of Interest (NOIs) to Express Entry candidates with profiles that match Ontario's labour market needs.
- Who gets NOIs: Candidates in the Express Entry pool with CRS scores typically 450+, relevant work experience, and intention to live in Ontario
- Tech draws: Ontario periodically runs targeted tech draws for candidates in specific tech occupations (software engineers, web developers, data analysts, etc.)
- How it works: You can't apply directly — Ontario finds you in the Express Entry pool and sends an NOI. If you receive one, you have 45 days to apply.
French-Speaking Skilled Worker For Express Entry candidates with strong French AND English skills who intend to live and work outside Toronto.
- French: CLB 7+ in all abilities
- English: CLB 6+ in all abilities
- Work experience in NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3
Skilled Trades For Express Entry candidates with experience in eligible skilled trades (construction, industrial, agricultural, maintenance).
- Must be in Ontario with a valid work permit
- At least 12 months of Ontario work experience in the trade
- Valid trade certification if the trade is compulsory in Ontario
Employer Job Offer streams (job offer required)
Foreign Worker For workers with a job offer from an Ontario employer in a NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation.
- Must have a genuine, full-time, permanent job offer
- Wage must meet or exceed the median wage for the occupation in the region
- Employer must have been in business for 3+ years
International Student For international students who graduated from an eligible Canadian institution and have a job offer from an Ontario employer.
- Must have completed at least a 2-year program (or 1-year graduate program)
- Job must be in NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3
- Must apply within 2 years of graduation
In-Demand Skills For workers in specific lower-skilled occupations (NOC TEER 4 and 5) with a job offer in agriculture, construction, or other priority sectors.
- Most recent draw (April 15, 2026): 1,334 invitations, score cutoff of 33
- Job must be in a qualifying occupation
- At least 9 months of work experience in Ontario in the occupation
Other streams
PhD Graduate — For PhD graduates from eligible Ontario universities (no job offer required)
Masters Graduate — For Masters graduates from eligible Ontario universities (no job offer required). Requires meeting language and settlement fund requirements.
Entrepreneur — For individuals who want to start or buy a business in Ontario. Higher investment thresholds than other provinces.
2026 draw history (highlights)
Ontario runs draws throughout the year. Recent examples:
| Date | Stream | Invitations | Score Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 15 | In-Demand Skills | 1,334 | 33+ |
| Apr 8 | Human Capital Priorities (Tech) | ~300 | 450+ CRS |
| Mar 25 | Foreign Worker | ~800 | 38+ |
| Mar 12 | Human Capital Priorities | ~1,200 | 480+ CRS |
Ontario received a limited allocation of nomination spaces for 2026 — exact numbers aren't published, but draw sizes suggest the province is managing its allocation carefully.
How to get an Ontario nomination
For Human Capital streams: You can't apply directly. Create an Express Entry profile, make sure your profile accurately reflects your occupation and intention to live in Ontario, and wait for a Notification of Interest. There's no way to guarantee an NOI — Ontario selects based on its own criteria.
For Employer Job Offer streams: You need a genuine job offer from an Ontario employer who's willing to support your nomination. The employer must complete their portion of the application.
For Graduate streams: Apply directly through the OINP e-Filing Portal after graduating from an eligible program.
Tips for getting an Ontario NOI
Accuracy matters more than anything. Your Express Entry profile must accurately list your NOC code, work experience, education, and language scores. If your NOC is wrong, Ontario won't find you in targeted draws.
Tech workers: Make sure your NOC code matches one of Ontario's targeted tech occupations (e.g., NOC 21232 for software developers, 21211 for data scientists, 21234 for web developers). Ontario runs separate tech draws with lower CRS requirements.
Express your interest in Ontario. In your Express Entry profile, you can indicate which provinces you're interested in living in. Select Ontario.
Keep your profile updated. If you retake IELTS and get a higher score, update your profile immediately. Ontario targets candidates based on current profile data.
If you're eligible for the current OINP streams, apply before May 30, 2026. The new system may have different requirements, different scoring, and potentially fewer spots in the transition period. Applications submitted under the current rules will be processed under the current rules.
Ontario vs other provinces
| Factor | Ontario | Alberta | BC | Manitoba |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allocation size | Largest | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Job offer required? | Depends on stream | Some streams | Some streams | Some streams |
| Tech-specific draws | Yes | Yes (Accelerated Tech) | Yes (weekly) | No |
| Processing time | 3–6 months | 2–4 months | 2–5 months | 3–6 months |
| CRS boost | +600 points | +600 points | +600 points | +600 points |
Related guides
- Provincial Nominee Program Guide — all 11 provinces compared
- BC PNP 2026 — BC's tech-focused program
- Alberta PNP 2026 — Alberta's growing program
- CRS Calculator — check your score
- NOC Finder — find your occupation code