If you’ve been keeping an eye on Ontario’s immigration landscape, today is the day the proposal officially became reality.
As of June 26, 2026, Ontario has officially launched Phase 1 of its OINP overhaul. So this is no longer a consultation, a draft, or a “maybe later” policy discussion. These are now active regulations.
The biggest headline? Ontario has launched the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream with three new pathways:
- TEER 0-3 pathway
- TEER 4-5 pathway
- Self-Employed Physicians pathway
At the same time, all eight former OINP streams are now permanently closed as of June 26, 2026. The EOI system is also closed to new registrations for now and is expected to reopen later in the summer.
At Canada Vertex Immigration, we know updates like this can feel like a lot all at once. So let’s keep it simple. Below, we’ll walk you through what changed today, who qualifies under the new system, what happens to old applications, and what you should do next.
The Big Update: What Closed on June 26?
Ontario has now fully moved into the new framework. As of June 26, 2026, all eight former OINP streams are permanently closed.
That means these previous streams are no longer accepting new applications:
- International Student Stream
- Masters Graduate Stream
- PhD Graduate Stream
- Human Capital Priorities (Express Entry)
- French-Speaking Skilled Worker
- Skilled Trades Stream
- Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker
- Employer Job Offer: International Student
- Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills
Yes, the list above has nine familiar categories people talked about during the transition, but Ontario’s current rollout confirms the old framework is done and the province is now operating under the new active model.
The key point for you? This is not a pause-and-wait proposal anymore. The old streams are closed, and Ontario has officially opened the door to the new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream structure instead.
Why the Overhaul? (The "Method" Behind the "Madness")
You might be asking, "Why change everything now?" The Ontario government isn't doing this to make things harder; they're doing it to make immigration more effective.
The province is shifting away from "general" draws where thousands of people compete on a single CRS score. Instead, they are moving toward a labor-market-focused selection process.
The goal? To ensure that the people coming to Ontario are exactly who the province needs right now. This means:
- Employer-Driven Growth: A massive emphasis on verified job offers and employer registration.
- Targeted Selection: Instead of just looking at your age and education, Ontario will now look at what you studied and where you’re going to work.
- Regional Development: Encouraging newcomers to settle outside the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) to spread economic benefits.
Meet the New Players: Phase 1 Is Officially Live
Ontario has now launched Phase 1 of the overhaul through the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream. And here’s the important correction from earlier reporting: there are three pathways, not four.
1. TEER 0-3 Pathway
This pathway is for higher-skilled occupations, including management, professional, technical, and many skilled trade roles.
Core eligibility requirements:
- A qualifying job offer in Ontario
- Minimum language: CLB 6 in English or French
- Possible exception: CLB 5 for certain occupations
- Education: post-secondary degree or diploma
- Work experience: one of the following:
- 6 months of consecutive work experience, or
- 3 months if you’re a recent Ontario graduate, or
- 2 years of cumulative experience in the same NOC
In short? If you’re in a TEER 0-3 role, Ontario now wants a clear mix of education, language ability, and work experience that directly matches the job being offered.
2. TEER 4-5 Pathway
This pathway targets lower-skilled but still essential occupations. Think support roles, service jobs, and other positions that Ontario’s labour market still needs badly.
Core eligibility requirements:
- A qualifying job offer in Ontario
- Minimum language: CLB 4
- Education: at least a secondary school diploma
- Work experience: 9 months cumulative with the same employer
This is a major shift. Ontario is still making room for essential workers, but the rules are now much more structured and employer-linked.
3. Self-Employed Physicians Pathway
This is one of the most important updates in the entire launch.
Under the new system, self-employed physicians do not need a job offer.
Core eligibility requirements:
- Must be licensed with the CPSO (College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario)
- Must be eligible for OHIP billing
- No job offer required
That’s a huge deal for physicians who work in self-employed practice models and may not fit neatly into a traditional employer-sponsored stream.
Employer Requirements: Bigger Role, Clearer Rules
Ontario has also made employer eligibility much more explicit. Employers do not need to re-register, but they must submit new job offers under the new framework.
Here are the key employer requirements now in force:
- Revenue requirement in the GTA: $1 million
- Revenue requirement in major CMAs: $500,000
- Revenue requirement in rural areas: $250,000
- Full-time employee requirement in the GTA: 5
- Full-time employee requirement outside the GTA: 3
Ontario is also applying lower revenue thresholds for rural employers, especially in census divisions with populations under 150,000. So if your employer is outside the big urban centres, that can absolutely work in your favor.
The message is clear: Ontario still wants employer-driven immigration, but it now wants the employer side to be cleaner, better documented, and more accountable.
"What About My Active EOI Profile?"
This is the question we get most often at Canada Vertex. And now we have a much clearer answer.
- If you already submitted an application under an old stream: It will still be processed under the old rules.
- If you had an EOI profile that did not result in an ITA: It will be automatically withdrawn.
- If you want to register a new EOI today: You can’t just yet. The EOI system is closed to new registrations and will reopen later in the summer.
That last point matters. Even though the new regulations are active right now, candidates still need to wait for the EOI system to reopen before new registrations can move forward.
Pro-tip: This is the perfect moment to get your documents, employer strategy, and eligibility review lined up before the system opens again. When Ontario says “later in the summer,” you do not want to be the person scrambling at the last minute.
What’s Coming in Phase 2?
Phase 1 is now live. But Ontario is not done yet.
The province has confirmed that Phase 2 will come later and is expected to include:
- Priority Healthcare Stream — expected to allow some applicants to qualify without a job offer
- Entrepreneur Stream
- Exceptional Talent Stream
At this point, there is no launch date yet for these Phase 2 streams.
So if you were waiting for healthcare, entrepreneur, or exceptional talent options, don’t assume they’re open now. They’re coming later, but for today, the active reality is the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream and its three live pathways.
Why Partner with Canada Vertex Immigration?
Navigating an overhaul this big can feel like trying to build a plane while it’s flying. That’s where we come in. As an active ICCRC member with a proven track record since 2018, we don't just fill out forms, we build strategies.
This update is reviewed with credit to Mac Virgilio Pagaduan Jr, RCIC R533465, Canada Vertex Immigration Ltd., Member of CAPIC.
Our expertise lies in staying ahead of these legislative changes. We provide:
- End-to-End Assistance: From initial consultation to your final settlement in Canada.
- Transparency: No hidden charges. Just accurate, up-to-date case studies.
- Personalized Coaching: Whether you’re an international student, a worker, or a self-employed physician, we tailor our approach to your goals.
The Bottom Line
Ontario’s 2026 immigration overhaul is no longer just a headline or a proposal. As of June 26, 2026, Phase 1 is officially live.
That means:
- Three new pathways are active
- All former OINP streams are closed
- Old submitted applications will continue under old rules
- Unsuccessful EOI profiles will be withdrawn
- New EOI registrations must wait until later this summer
- Ontario has 14,119 nominations for 2026, a 31% increase from 2025
That last number matters. Ontario still has a big appetite for immigration. But the process is now more targeted, more employer-driven, and much more specific than before.
Ready to see how these changes affect YOUR PR path?
Don’t leave your future to chance. Let’s sit down and review your options together. Check out our FAQs for more quick answers, or better yet, contact us today to book a consultation.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is the OINP closed forever?
No. The old OINP stream structure is closed, but Ontario has officially launched Phase 1 of the new system through the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream as of June 26, 2026.
2. I'm a student graduating in 2026. Can I still apply?
Potentially, yes. But you can no longer rely on the old International Student Stream. You’ll need to see whether you fit one of the new active pathways, especially the TEER 0-3 pathway, including the special 3-month work experience option for recent Ontario graduates.
3. What happens to my old EOI profile?
If your EOI profile did not result in an ITA, it will be automatically withdrawn. Also, the EOI system is currently closed to new registrations and is expected to reopen later in the summer.
4. Do I need a job offer for the new streams?
Usually, yes. The TEER 0-3 and TEER 4-5 pathways require a qualifying job offer. However, the Self-Employed Physicians pathway does not require a job offer, as long as you meet the licensing and OHIP billing eligibility requirements.
