When Ontario closed all eight of its old OINP streams back in June and replaced them with the single Workforce Priority Stream, a lot of the fine print wasn’t public yet. That changed on July 20, 2026, when the province published the full requirements page, including a detailed points system, application deadlines, and the complete list of eligible educational institutions. For anyone trying to plan a realistic application strategy, this is the information that actually matters.
The process still starts with the employer. A company must first submit a job offer through the Employer Portal, which generates a job offer ID. From there, the candidate has 30 calendar days to register an Expression of Interest. If selected, the employer then has 14 calendar days to formally apply for approval of the position, and the candidate has 17 calendar days to submit their own application, though that submission can only happen after the employer’s application goes in.
The scoring system itself rewards a fairly specific profile. Higher-skill occupations score better, with TEER 0 or 1 positions earning 9 points compared to just 6 for TEER 2 or 3. Wage matters heavily too: a job paying at least $40 an hour earns the full 15 points available under that category, while anything under $20 an hour scores zero. Time already spent working in the approved position in Ontario carries real weight as well, with more than 24 months earning 18 points, dropping in stages down to zero for less than six months. Language ability, education credentials, and even regional location factor in, with jobs located in Northern Ontario earning 15 points compared to zero for a position based in Toronto itself, a deliberate incentive to draw skilled workers outside the GTA.
Self-employed physicians follow a distinctly separate track. They skip the job offer and employer requirements altogether, and instead qualify based on being in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, holding an accepted registration type, and being eligible to bill through OHIP. Their scoring is based on medical practice experience in Ontario rather than an employer relationship, with more than 24 months of cumulative practice earning the maximum 18 points in that category.
One detail worth flagging for anyone applying with a job offer: Ontario now explicitly assesses “intention to live and work in Ontario” as part of the eligibility review, looking at ties like prior work history in the province, job interviews or offers, property ownership, or family and professional connections there. This isn’t just a formality; it’s listed as a required criterion applicants must satisfy, not merely a scoring bonus.
Once nominated, applicants have six months to submit their permanent residence application to IRCC. Those who applied under a TEER 0 through 3 occupation, physicians included, also have the option to be nominated through the federal Express Entry system, which adds a substantial 600 points to their Express Entry profile upon acceptance.
FAQs
How long do I have to register an Expression of Interest after my employer submits a job offer?
30 calendar days from the date your employer submits the job offer in the Employer Portal.
What is the highest-scoring wage bracket?
$40 per hour or higher earns the maximum 15 points available for the hourly wage factor.
Do self-employed physicians need a job offer to apply?
No. Physicians qualify through CPSO registration and OHIP billing eligibility instead, and are exempt from the employer and job offer requirements entirely.
What does “intention to live and work in Ontario” actually require?
Applicants must demonstrate genuine ties to Ontario, such as prior work experience, job offers or interviews, property, or family and professional connections in the province.
Can I be nominated through Express Entry instead of the regular OINP process?
Yes, if you applied under a TEER 0 through 3 occupation (including physicians) and opted into Express Entry nomination, accepted nominees receive an additional 600 points toward their federal profile.
Reach out to our team at info@visaserve.ca or call 905-203-2266 to speak with an experienced Canadian immigration lawyer today.
