The Ontario Workforce Priority Stream (OWPS) is a permanent residence program with a new scoring system for 2026.The Ontario Workforce Priority Stream (OWPS) is a permanent residence program that has undergone a new scoring system for 2026.
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has a new scoring system for candidates wanting permanent residency in Ontario. The changes are part of a restructuring of the Ontario provincial immigration programs that is planned to be in effect by 2026 and will include the creation of a new category for eligible foreign workers and self-employed physicians known as the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream (OWPS).
It is significant for people who would like to have a permanent place to live in Ontario to know how the new points system operates. Your job location, occupation, salary (based on your job), your work experience in Canada, your education, your language ability and immigration status may all impact your ranking.
Understand the purpose of the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream.
The Ontario Workforce Priority Stream is intended to offer eligible foreign nationals a route to permanent residence in Canada by way of provincial nomination.
The stream provides for the following:
Individuals holding a work visa in TEER 0-3 professions.Work visa holders in TEER 0-3 jobs.
People with TEER 4-5 occupations who are working in foreign countries.Foreign workers of TEER 4-5 occupations.
Eligible self-employed physicians
In the case of the job-offer pathways, the employer has a significant role in the process. Before the applicant can register an Expression of Interest (EOI) for a position, the employer has to provide the information on the position through the OINP Employer Portal.
Candidates may be invited to apply (ITA) from Ontario for the higher ranked candidates.
What does the new OINP Scoring System mean?
The new scheme will award points for a candidate to have a qualifying job offer for the following reasons: The scoring system provides Ontario with a way to identify candidates who have skills and a work history and are otherwise qualified that match the priorities of the Ontario workforce.
1. Location of Employment
Your score may vary depending on your area of employment in Ontario.
The highest score is awarded to candidates who work in Northern Ontario and no points are awarded for employment in Toronto for this factor.
The regional scoring system consists of:
Northern Ontario – 15 points
Eastern Ontario – 10 points
Outside the GTA in central Ontario – 10 points
Southwestern Ontario – 10 points
Not within the GTA, but beyond Toronto – 5 points
Toronto – 0 points
The regionalization aspect of the ranking system may give candidates with employment outside of Toronto an advantage.
The following is a list of the NOC TEER Skill Level.
Another factor is the classification of your occupation in Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC).
Candidates can receive:
TEER 0 – 9 points
TEER 1 – 9 points
TEER 2 – 6 points
TEER 3 – 6 points
TEER 4 – 0 points
TEER 5 – 0 points
The highest points are given for TEER 0 and TEER 1 positions.
3. Wage and Compensation
Another significant factor in your score is the wage that you have in mind for the job.
The scoring system offers:
$40 or more per hour – 15 points
$35–$39.99 per hour – 12 points
$30–$34.99 per hour – 10 points
$25–$29.99 per hour – 8 points
$20–$24.99 per hour – 5 points
Paying less than $20/hr – 0 points
So, applicants should take great care when looking at the pay scale for the specific pathway and occupation.
4. Occupational Category
The state of Ontario also gives points based on the general occupational classification of the job.
Healthcare occupations are highest followed by trades, transport and equipment-related occupations, natural and applied sciences.
The number of points that can be earned in other categories such as business, education, law, social/community services, manufacturing and utilities may vary.
This component is based on the Ontario emphasis on labour-market requirements and occupations that are significant for the province.
5. Ontario Work Experience
An applicant’s ranking can be greatly affected by work experience gained in Canada.
For candidates with at least six months of experience in the position where job is offered, extra points are awarded (for more than 6 months).
For example:
Over 2.5 years – 18 points.
13–24 months – 15 points
6–12 months – 12 points
Points are also available for candidates who have other work experience that is acceptable in Ontario, but the scoring is different.
For those who are already employed in Ontario, this is a significant piece of information.
6. Canadian Income History
Your score may also be based on your Canadian history of income.
A point is awarded based on the highest annual income in the last five years:
$70,000 or more – 8 points
$50,000–$69,999 – 6 points
$30,000–$49,999 – 4 points
Less than $30,000 – 0 points
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has to issue a Notice of Assessment for the income to be accepted.
7. Education
Another key element of the scoring system is education.
Points may be awarded for the highest level of education achieved. The maximum number of points can be awarded for doctorate or some professional degree, and the number of points awarded for a bachelor’s degree, college credential, or trade qualification can also factor into the total score.
Extra points can be awarded for Canadian educational documents.
More points are awarded if candidates have two or more eligible Canadian post-secondary credential(s) than for one credential.
8. Language Ability
Part of the new scoring system is language proficiency.
The highest level of proficiency in the official language, in all four skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing, can earn a candidate up to 15 points.
For example:
CLB 9 or higher – 15 points
CLB 8 – 12 points
CLB 7 – 8 points
CLB 6 – 4 points
Avoid using the computer in any way.CLB 5 or below – 0 points
Language results must befroman approved immigration language test, and are typically required to have a validity period of the same length.
Currently the OINP has approved the following tests: IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General, PTE Core (English) and TEF Canada and TCF Canada (French).
BOTH OFFICIAL LANGUAGES 9 – Knowledge of Both Official Languages
Applicants who show a competency in both English and French will receive extra marks.
A maximum of 10 points can be awarded for this factor if the candidates meet the minimum requirements in both official languages.
Bilingualism can, for those candidates who have well-developed language skills, then enhance their overall ranking.
10. Temporary Resident Status
Your current position in Canada may also impact your score.
The scoring provides:
Valid work permit – 10 points
Study permit – 5 points
Neither – 0 points
Maintaining legal status in Canada remains essential. A strong score does not remove the need to comply with Canada’s immigration rules.
Applicants should carefully monitor the expiry date of their temporary status and understand how any changes to their status could affect their immigration plans.
Special Consideration for Self-Employed Physicians
The scoring structure contains a separate approach for eligible self-employed physicians.
Rather than applying the standard wage calculation in the same way as job-offer candidates, physician applicants are assessed using an alternative work-experience calculation based on their medical practice in Ontario.
Qualifying experience can result in additional points depending on the length of the physician’s practice.
This recognizes the different employment structure associated with self-employed medical professionals.
What Is the Process After Creating an EOI?
The Ontario Workforce Priority Stream follows a multi-stage process.
Generally, an applicant pursuing a job-offer pathway must first have an eligible employment opportunity and meet the requirements of the relevant pathway.
The process can then involve:
1. Employer involvement
The eligible Ontario employer provides the required job information through the OINP system.
2. Expression of Interest
The candidate enters the required information into Ontario’s EOI system.
3. Candidate selection
Ontario can select candidates according to its published priorities and ranking criteria.
4. Invitation to Apply
A selected candidate receives an invitation to submit an application for provincial nomination.
5. Provincial nomination application
The applicant submits the required forms, documents and fees within the applicable deadline.
6. Provincial nomination
If Ontario approves the application, the candidate receives a provincial nomination.
7. Federal permanent residence application
The applicant can then apply to the federal government for Canadian permanent residence under the provincial nominee process.
The provincial nomination is an important step, but it does not by itself mean that permanent residence has been granted.
What Do the Changes Mean for Ontario Immigration Applicants?
The new system makes candidate ranking more comprehensive.
A person may have a qualifying job but still need to consider several other factors that affect their overall position in the selection pool.
For example, two applicants with similar occupations may receive different scores because one has:
A higher-paying position
More Ontario work experience
Stronger language results
Higher education
Canadian educational credentials
Employment outside Toronto
This means that applicants should look at their immigration profile as a whole rather than focusing on one factor.
Why Professional Immigration Advice Can Be Helpful
Provincial immigration programs can involve detailed eligibility requirements, documentation rules and deadlines.
A mistake in an NOC classification, employment document, language result or immigration history can create complications for an application.
An immigration lawyer in Brampton can review your circumstances and help you understand how the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream may apply to your situation.
At Batra Law Offices, immigration matters are assessed based on the individual’s circumstances rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.
If you are working in Ontario, have an eligible job offer, have Canadian work experience or are considering a provincial nominee pathway, professional legal guidance can help you understand your available options before submitting an application.
Speak With Batra Law Offices
Ontario’s immigration system is changing, and applicants should rely on the most current official requirements when making important immigration decisions.
If you are considering the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream, Batra Law Offices can help you understand the relevant requirements and evaluate your potential immigration options.
Contact Batra Law Offices to discuss your Ontario immigration and permanent residence options.
Disclaimer
This article is intended for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration rules, eligibility requirements, application procedures and government policies may change. Every immigration case is different. Applicants should review the latest information from the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada or obtain legal advice based on their individual circumstances.