Ontario is proposing significant amendments to regulations under the Ontario Immigration Act, 2015 to modernize and streamline the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). With 28 days left for public comment, the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development aims to consolidate existing pathways and introduce new, targeted streams that better align with the province’s economic priorities.
The OINP currently offers eight permanent residence pathways. Under the new proposal, these would be simplified into four redesigned streams, introduced across two phases to improve clarity, accessibility, and responsiveness to Ontario’s labour market needs.
Phase 1: Simplified Employer Job Offer Stream
The first phase introduces a new Employer Job Offer Stream, divided into two tracks based on the NOC TEER system:
TEER 0–3 Track
Designed to attract skilled workers and prioritize applicants already in Canada, this track features:
- Wage Requirement: Median wage job offer (recent Ontario graduates may qualify at low wage).
- Experience Options:
- 6 months Ontario experience with the employer in the job-offer NOC, or
- 2 years experience in the NOC within the last 5 years, or
- Valid occupational licence.
- Education: No minimum if the applicant has 6 months Ontario experience; otherwise a post-secondary credential with ECA.
TEER 4–5 Track
Focused on labour-shortage occupations and employer needs:
- Minimum language requirement
- 9 months experience in the job-offer NOC with the employer
- All TEER 4–5 occupations eligible
- Potential construction trades pathway using union validation instead of employer job offer
- Flexibility to conduct targeted draws by region, occupation, or labour need
Phase 2: Introduction of Three New Priority Streams
The second phase proposes decommissioning outdated streams and launching three new ones aligned with critical workforce needs:
1. Priority Healthcare Stream
A dedicated pathway for high-skilled healthcare professionals:
- Eligibility without a job offer for applicants with valid professional registration
- May include recent graduates completing registration
- Designed to address persistent shortages across regulated healthcare professions
2. Entrepreneur Stream
A pathway for entrepreneurial newcomers who:
- Have established and are actively operating a business in Ontario, or
- Have purchased and are operating an existing Ontario business (succession)
This aims to boost economic growth, job creation, and innovation.
3. Exceptional Talent Stream
A unique pathway for individuals with remarkable achievements in areas such as science, academia, innovation, technology, or the creative sector:
- Applicants must demonstrate significant accomplishments (publications, awards, research, innovations, creative works)
- Includes qualitative assessment of their contributions to Ontario’s economic, cultural, or social landscape
Public feedback will shape the final regulatory design as Ontario seeks to build a more efficient and future-ready immigration system.
Feedback Sought on New OINP Employer Portal
Ontario launched a new Employer Portal in July to support employer-led applications under job-offer streams. As part of the broader redesign, the Ministry is inviting employers to provide feedback on the portal’s performance.
1. Overall Experience
Users are asked to comment on:
- Ease of navigation
- Problematic or time-consuming sections
- Suggested improvements for a more intuitive interface
2. Accessibility and Usability
Feedback sought on:
- Clarity of instructions
- Availability of language supports
- Screen reader and accessibility compatibility
3. Technical Performance
Employers can report:
- Slow page loads
- Errors or glitches
- How technical challenges impacted submissions
Supporting Ontario’s Workforce and Economic Growth
Ontario’s proposed OINP redesign is intended to create a more flexible, predictable, and strategic immigration system. By consolidating pathways and introducing new targeted streams, the province aims to better meet labour shortages in key sectors, from healthcare and trades to innovation and entrepreneurship, while improving user experience for employers and applicants.
Public comments are open for the next 28 days, offering stakeholders an important opportunity to help shape the future of Ontario’s immigration landscape.