Ontario has officially launched the first phase of a major redesign of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), replacing eight existing immigration streams with a new employment-focused stream called the Ontario Workforce Priority stream.
The changes were announced on June 26, 2026, and represent the first phase of a broader overhaul of Ontario’s provincial nominee program, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). While the new stream has now been established in regulations, Ontario says its Expression of Interest (EOI) system is expected to reopen later this summer.
The redesign aims to make it easier for foreign workers with job offers and work experience in Ontario to immigrate to the province permanently. It also enables Ontario employers to more easily retain proven talent in hard-to-fill roles. The program changes also make it simpler for employers in rural and northern communities.
