On May 30, 2026, the province of Ontario revoked all nine existing permanent residence streams under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) as part of a broader redesign of the provincial nomination framework.
This pause is anticipated to provide Ontario with greater flexibility to create, modify, or remove selection streams and is intended to better align the OINP with provincial labor market priorities and strengthen program integrity.
The nine affected streams are:
- Entrepreneur
- French-Speaking Skilled Worker
- Master’s Graduate
- PhD Graduate
- Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills
- Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker
- Employer Job Offer: International Student
- Human Capital Priorities
- Skilled Trades
Ontario has not yet announced the replacement streams, eligibility criteria, or intake timelines. Although a more consolidated and targeted selection framework is expected, employers and foreign nationals should not assume that eligibility under a former stream, an existing Expression of Interest (EOI) profile, or a previously developed nomination strategy will be carried forward under the redesigned program.
Ontario received an allocation of 14,119 provincial nominations for 2026. However, access to those nominations will depend on the structure and timing of the replacement pathways.
Employers should review any pending or planned Ontario nomination permanent residence strategies, particularly where employee retention planning depends on a former OINP Expression of Interest. Alternative federal or provincial pathways may need to be considered until Ontario publishes further guidance.
For additional information, please contact the Americas Immigration team at Americas@ClarkHill.com.
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