Ontario’s OINP overhaul coming in May 2026
Article By : Acme Immigrations
The province of Ontario is looking to overhaul the OINP (Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program) immigration system that has been in place since 2007. The following streams and categories will therefore be revoked and candidates that meet the current stream/category criteria will no longer be eligible in May 2026:
- Foreign worker stream
- International student with a job offer stream
- In-Demand skills stream
- Master’s Graduate stream
- Ph.D graduate stream
- Human capital priorities stream
- French speaking skilled worker stream
- Skilled Trades stream
- Entrepreneur category
In terms of what types of programs will replace these streams and categories, that is uncertain at this time. However, some information can be gleaned from stakeholder meetings that the province of Ontario held over the past months. There is information available that points to a new program that will merge the job offer streams into one comprehensive stream, that will have two separate pathways, one for TEER 0-3 occupations and one for TEER 4-5 occupations. There is also additional information that points to targeted program pathways in healthcare, entrepreneurship, and exceptional talent. But again, there is no information available from the province of Ontario at this time and no normal announcements have been made in terms of the changes to come in May 2026.
The Ontario Immigration Act changes to come also codify the importance of all Employers registering their job offers through the new Employer Portal system. The Employer Portal allows Employers to register all job offers for the province and is an additional step that must be made prior to any candidate registering an expression of interest in the system. It is also important to note that the median wage would need to be met for all job offers registered in the system according to Job Bank median wages for that occupation and location, except for recent graduates who may not have the necessary work experience.
The province also is looking at more targeted draws and implementing language requirements, especially for any TEER 4 and TEER 5 occupations. Construction targeted draws and regional urgent needs will also be addressed in the new system. Exceptional talent stream will welcome people who don’t fall into traditional categories or occupations, but who are exceptionally gifted and have high level accomplishments in research, innovation, as well as the arts and sciences.
It will be interesting to see in the coming months the changes to the OINP in Ontario, and the new direction the province maps out in order to welcome new immigrants to their province and destination.
Contact ACME Visa Solutions today for more information on changes to Ontario or to book a consultation and get assessed for the province of Ontario. We’re here to help!
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