On December 2, 2025, the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) of Ontario posted proposed amendments to regulations under the Ontario Immigration Act, 2015 to redesign the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program’s (OINP) Streams.
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is Ontario’s economic immigration program. Through the OINP, Ontario selects candidates who meet provincial labor market needs and formally nominates them to the federal government for permanent residence.
Currently, the OINP offers pathways to permanent residency through eight program streams. MLITSD is proposing to simplify and consolidate these into four new streams, to be introduced in two phases.
MLITSD is seeking public input on the proposed changes. Feedback will help inform the development of future regulations. Comments will be accepted until January 1, 2026.
Phase 1
The Ministry is proposing to update the existing Employer Job Offer streams with a simplified Employer Job Offer stream with a TEER 0-3 and a TEER 4-5 track:
Employer Job Offer Stream (TEER 0-3 and 4-5 tracks) This new stream would replace the three existing Employer Job Offer streams to better attract and retain foreign talent and improve access for employers and workers.
The TEER 0-3 track would target skilled workers, prioritizing candidates already in Canada with advanced qualifications. Applicants would be required to meet the below minimum criteria:
- Job offer wage: The job offer must meet the median wage for the occupation. Graduates from an eligible Ontario institution within the past two years may qualify with a job offer at the low wage level.
- Work experience: Applicants must meet one of the following:
- 6 months of Ontario work experience in the job offer NOC with the job offer employer, or
- 2 years of experience in the job offer NOC within the last 5 years, or
- Hold a valid license in their occupation and be in good standing.
- Education: No minimum education requirement if an applicant has 6 months of Ontario work experience in the job offer NOC with the employer. Otherwise, applicants must have a post-secondary credential with an Education Credential Assessment (ECA).
The TEER 4-5 track would support employers in attracting skilled workers for occupations facing labor shortages. All TEER 4 and 5 NOCs would be eligible and draws would be focused on labor market needs and program priorities. Applicants would be required to meet a minimum language requirement and have 9 months of work experience in the job offer NOC with the job offer employer.
- Consideration is being given to creating a pathway for construction trades workers, where union support could be used to validate work experience as an alternative to a permanent, full-time job offer.
- The Ministry could use the Employer Job Offer Stream to invite applicants by region, occupation, or other criteria to address pressing employer labor needs.
Phase 2
In the second phase of OINP redesign, the Ministry is proposing to introduce three new streams and decommission existing program streams that no longer reflect key priorities and labor market needs. The new streams would include:
A priority healthcare stream
A dedicated pathway for high-skilled healthcare professionals:
- Would provide a pathway for applicants with valid professional registration to apply without a job offer.
- May include eligibility for recent graduates finalizing registration with regulatory bodies.
- Intended to address demand in regulated healthcare professions across Ontario.
An entrepreneur stream
A pathway to encourage and support entrepreneurial newcomers who invest in the province, create jobs and build Ontario’s economy. Targets entrepreneurial foreign nationals who:
- have established and are actively operating a business in Ontario; and
- who have purchased and are operating an existing business in Ontario (business succession).
An exceptional talent stream
A stream to attract and retain unique and exceptional talent in fields like academia, innovation, science, and technology.
- Intended for candidates with proven achievements and recognition in their field who may not qualify under other OINP streams.
- Candidates would need to demonstrate suitability through accomplishments like publications or research contributions, prestigious awards, international recognition, groundbreaking innovations and/or notable creative works.
- Would involve qualitative assessment to evaluate unique contributions to Ontario’s economic, social, and cultural vitality.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue to monitor developments and share updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions.