Effective May 30, 2026, all nine existing Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) immigration streams were legally revoked under Ontario Regulation 47/26. New consolidated streams are expected to replace them, but eligibility criteria and intake timelines have not yet been confirmed by the province. Employer-sponsored employees and individuals with active OINP profiles face immediate uncertainty and could seek legal advice.
WHY THIS MATTERS
The OINP is Ontario's provincial nominee program administered under the Ontario Immigration Act. It allows the province to nominate foreign nationals for Canadian permanent residence (PR) to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
For the 2026 federal immigration plan, Ontario has been allocated 14,119 provincial nomination slots — an increase from prior years. This makes the OINP one of the most significant and competitive pathways to Canadian permanent residence, particularly for skilled workers in in-demand occupations, international graduates, and employer-sponsored employees working in Ontario.
Key Highlights
What changed — All nine streams revoked
On March 16, 2026, the OINP announced a complete program redesign. Effective May 30, 2026, Ontario discontinued all existing OINP stream categories. The nine revoked streams are:
- Foreign Worker stream
- International Student with a Job Offer stream
- In-Demand Skills stream
- Human Capital Priorities stream (Express Entry-linked)
- French-Speaking Skilled Worker stream (Express Entry-linked)
- Skilled Trades stream
- Masters Graduate stream
- PhD Graduate stream
- Entrepreneur stream
Anticipated new stream structure
Ontario has not published eligibility rules or intake timelines for the replacement streams. However, based on stakeholder consultations conducted in December 2025, the redesigned program is expected to include:
- Unified Employer Job Offer stream – merging the three prior employer streams into a single pathway with two sub-tracks: TEER 0–3 (higher-skilled) and TEER 4–5 (lower-skilled).
- Priority Healthcare stream – targeting nurses, physicians, and allied health professionals to address provincial labour shortages.
- Exceptional Talent stream – a new pathway for applicants with advanced credentials or specialized skills, potentially without a job offer requirement.
- Entrepreneur stream – a redesigned business immigration pathway.
The OINP Director has also been granted new authority to run targeted draws based on expanded criteria including education, field of study, language, and settlement intent, not solely on an applicant’s scores. This is a significant departure from the prior model.
Importantly, the fate of existing Expressions of Interest (EOI) profiles in the OINP portal is currently unknown at the time of publication. Ontario has not indicated whether active profiles are expected to migrate to the new system, require re-registration, or be withdrawn. This is a critical open issue for candidates currently in the pipeline.
Implications for employers and employees
These changes have direct implications across three categories of affected individuals:
Active OINP Applicants (Applications Submitted Before May 30, 2026)
- Applications that were submitted and complete before May 30, 2026, could be processed under the rules in effect at the time of submission.
- However, applicants are expected to confirm the status of their application directly, as processing delays or administrative requests may still arise during the transition.
Candidates with Active EOI Profiles
- Candidates with existing EOI profiles remain valid, with the OINP system allowing new EOIs to be submitted. However, Ontario has not confirmed whether existing EOI profiles may carry over to the redesigned system.
- Candidates who had not yet received an ITA face uncertainty and could monitor the OINP's official updates page closely.
Employers Sponsoring Foreign Nationals Through the OINP
- The new employer-facing structure includes a mandatory employer registration process involving business and financial stability checks before candidates can apply.
- Employers who were planning to support OINP applications for employees could initiate registration promptly to avoid delays once new streams open.
- Workforce planning for PR pathways could be reviewed in light of the shift to a more employer-driven, job-offer-centric model.
KPMG INSIGHTS
Considerations for Employers
In light of increased enforcement, employers might wish to consider the following:
- Review the status of any pending OINP application or EOI profile to determine whether it has been received and remains under assessment.
- Assess employees currently in the OINP pipeline and evaluate potential workforce impacts arising from the program transition.
- Begin employer OINP registration under the new portal to help prepare for the opening of the redesigned streams.
- Monitor whether existing profiles or applications will transition to the redesigned system, as proactive follow‑up may be required.
- Consider consulting KPMG Law LLP to assess available federal and provincial immigration alternatives during the OINP transition period.
If assignees and/or their programme managers have any questions or concerns about the scope of the updated framework, its application and potential impacts, and appropriate next steps, they should consult with their qualified professional or a member of the GMS team with KPMG in Canada (see the Contacts section).
ENDNOTE:
1 Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, “Ontario Regulation 421/17,” updated in May 2026.
Contacts
Disclaimer
* Please note the KPMG International member firm in the United States does not provide immigration or labour law services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.
The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in Canada.
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