You have been working in Canada for a few years. Or maybe you just finished your master’s degree at a university in Toronto. Your friends are getting their PR invitations, but your Express Entry score is still a bit short. The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) \u2014 commonly called the Ontario PNP \u2014 exists for exactly this reason. It gives the province the power to nominate people who already have a connection to Ontario, whether through a job offer, a degree, or simply the skills the local economy needs. Visaline is with you on your immigration journey, from dream to reality<\/em>, helping you find the right OINP stream and submit a strong application.<\/p>\n The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is Ontario’s provincial nominee program. It allows the province to nominate individuals for Canadian permanent residence based on Ontario’s specific labour market and economic needs. Unlike the federal Express Entry system, which ranks all candidates nationally, the OINP focuses on people who have a genuine connection to Ontario \u2014 a job offer from an Ontario employer, a degree from an Ontario university, or skills that are in high demand in the province’s economy.<\/p>\n The OINP has undergone a major redesign in 2026. As of July 2026, the program has been streamlined from nine streams into a smaller number of targeted pathways. Understanding these changes is critical before you apply.<\/p>\n In 2026, Ontario overhauled its immigration program. All nine previous OINP streams were revoked and replaced with a new structure. The key changes include:<\/p>\n If you had already submitted an application under one of the closed streams before the redesign, your application should still be processed. But if you were planning to apply under an old stream, you need to look at the new options.<\/p>\n The Ontario Workforce Priority stream is the centerpiece of the redesigned OINP. It is designed for skilled foreign workers who have a qualifying job offer from an Ontario employer and work experience in any National Occupational Classification (NOC) occupation.<\/p>\n Key features of the Workforce Priority stream:<\/strong><\/p>\n The stream has three pathways:<\/p>\n Before the 2026 redesign, the OINP had three Express Entry-aligned streams:<\/p>\n These streams are now closed as of May 30, 2026. If you received an NOI before the closure, you may still be able to apply within the 45-day window. Otherwise, you need to look at the new Workforce Priority stream or other pathways.<\/p>\n The Entrepreneur Stream remains active under the redesigned OINP. This stream is for experienced business owners and senior managers who want to start or buy a business in Ontario and eventually obtain permanent residence.<\/p>\n Key requirements for the Entrepreneur Stream:<\/strong><\/p>\n The Entrepreneur Stream uses an Expression of Interest (EOI) system with its own points grid. Candidates with the highest scores are invited to apply.<\/p>\n Eligibility depends on which stream you are applying to. Here is a summary of the main requirements for each active pathway:<\/p>\n For the Workforce Priority stream, general eligibility requirements include:<\/p>\n The documents you need depend on the stream, but most applications require:<\/p>\n Medical examinations, biometrics, and police clearance certificates are only required when you submit your federal PR application, not your provincial one.<\/p>\n The total cost of applying through the OINP includes provincial application fees and federal PR processing fees.<\/p>\n Provincial fees are non-refundable, even if your application is refused.<\/p>\n Processing times for the OINP vary by stream. As of July 2026, the estimated processing times for OINP applications are:<\/p>\n These times are estimates and can vary based on application volume, completeness, and individual circumstances. IRCC updates its processing times regularly.<\/p>\n The Ontario PNP is often the best option for candidates who already have a job offer from an Ontario employer or who have studied in Ontario and want to stay in the province.<\/p>\n The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) allows Ontario to nominate individuals for Canadian permanent residence based on the province’s labour market needs. In 2026, the program was redesigned, and the main pathway is now the Ontario Workforce Priority stream, which requires a job offer from an Ontario employer.<\/p>\n Total costs range from approximately $3,500 to $5,000+ CAD for a single applicant. This includes the OINP application fee ($1,500 estimated), federal PR fees ($1,590), biometrics ($85), language tests ($300), and medical exams ($200\u2013$500).<\/p>\n Required documents include a job offer letter, proof of work experience, language test results, educational credentials (or ECA), proof of settlement funds, and identity documents. For the Entrepreneur Stream, additional business documents are required.<\/p>\n Eligibility varies by stream. The Workforce Priority stream requires a valid job offer from an Ontario employer, relevant work experience, language proficiency at CLB 4\u20135 or higher, and sufficient settlement funds. The Entrepreneur Stream requires a minimum net worth of $400,000\u2013$800,000 and business experience.<\/p>\n Provincial processing for the Workforce Priority stream takes approximately 60\u2013120 days. Federal PR processing takes approximately 12\u201313 months. Total timeline is approximately 14\u201318 months.<\/p>\n The old OINP streams (Human Capital Priorities, Masters Graduate, Employer Job Offer, etc.) were all closed in 2026. The new Ontario Workforce Priority stream replaces them with a simpler structure focused on candidates with a job offer in Ontario. The Entrepreneur Stream remains active.<\/p>\n The Ontario PNP has changed significantly in 2026. The old streams are gone, and the new Ontario Workforce Priority stream is now the main pathway for skilled workers with a job offer in Ontario. If you have an Ontario employer willing to support your application, or if you are an entrepreneur looking to start a business in the province, the OINP remains one of the most practical routes to Canadian permanent residence.<\/p>\n Visaline can review your situation, assess your eligibility for the current OINP streams, and help you prepare a complete and accurate application. We do not promise outcomes we cannot deliver, but we do promise honest guidance and professional support.<\/p>\n Based on the latest regulations and program instructions published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, including official pages on the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program, fee schedules, and processing times.<\/p>\n Published\/Updated:<\/strong> July 23, 2026 Contact us today to review your case and book your immigration consultation. We also recommend following Visaline Immigration Institute on Instagram for real-time updates on IRCC news and immigration law changes. \u260e\ufe0f Toronto WhatsApp: +1-647-860-0005<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Ontario PNP 2026: Your Complete Guide to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program You have been working in Canada for a few years. Or maybe you just finished your master’s degree … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":975,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_kadence_starter_templates_imported_post":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-976","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/visaline.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/976","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/visaline.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/visaline.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visaline.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visaline.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=976"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/visaline.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/976\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":981,"href":"https:\/\/visaline.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/976\/revisions\/981"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visaline.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/975"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/visaline.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=976"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Table of Contents<\/h2>\n
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What Is the Ontario PNP?<\/h2>\n
OINP Redesign 2026: What Changed<\/h2>\n
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Ontario Workforce Priority Stream<\/h2>\n
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OINP Express Entry Streams (Closed)<\/h2>\n
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OINP Entrepreneur Stream<\/h2>\n
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Who Can Apply? Eligibility Requirements<\/h2>\n
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\n \nStream<\/th>\n Job Offer Required?<\/th>\n Express Entry Aligned?<\/th>\n Key Requirements<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n Ontario Workforce Priority \u2013 Foreign Worker<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n No<\/td>\n 2+ years work experience, job offer in skilled occupation, CLB 5+<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Ontario Workforce Priority \u2013 International Student<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n No<\/td>\n Recent Canadian graduate, job offer in Ontario, CLB 5+<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Ontario Workforce Priority \u2013 In-Demand Skills<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n No<\/td>\n 9+ months work experience in eligible occupation, CLB 4+<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Entrepreneur Stream<\/td>\n No (must start\/buy a business)<\/td>\n No<\/td>\n $400K\u2013$800K net worth, 36 months business experience, job creation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n \n
Documents Required for the Ontario PNP<\/h2>\n
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Step-by-Step OINP Application Process<\/h2>\n
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Costs and Fees in 2026<\/h2>\n
\n\n
\n \nCost item<\/th>\n Amount (CAD)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n OINP application fee (Workforce Priority streams)<\/td>\n $1,500 (estimated)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n OINP application fee (Entrepreneur Stream)<\/td>\n $3,500 (estimated)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Federal PR application fee (principal applicant)<\/td>\n $1,590<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Federal PR application fee (spouse\/partner)<\/td>\n $1,590<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Federal PR application fee (dependent child)<\/td>\n $230 per child<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Right of Permanent Residence Fee<\/td>\n $600 per adult<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Biometrics fee<\/td>\n $85 per person (or $170 per family)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Language test<\/td>\n Approximately $300<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n ECA (if required)<\/td>\n Approximately $300<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Medical exam<\/td>\n Approximately $200\u2013$500 per person<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Total estimated cost (single applicant, Workforce Priority)<\/td>\n $3,500\u2013$5,000+<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n Processing Times in 2026<\/h2>\n
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\n \nStream<\/th>\n Provincial processing time<\/th>\n Federal processing time<\/th>\n Total estimated timeline<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n Ontario Workforce Priority streams<\/td>\n 60\u2013120 days<\/td>\n 12\u201313 months (base PNP)<\/td>\n 14\u201318 months<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Entrepreneur Stream<\/td>\n 12\u201318 months (including business establishment)<\/td>\n 12\u201313 months<\/td>\n 24\u201330+ months<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n Ontario PNP vs Other Immigration Pathways<\/h2>\n
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\n \nFactor<\/th>\n Ontario PNP (Workforce Priority)<\/th>\n Express Entry (FSWP\/CEC)<\/th>\n Other PNP (e.g., Alberta, BC)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n Job offer required<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n No (but adds points)<\/td>\n Varies by stream<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n CRS score needed<\/td>\n N\/A (provincial nomination)<\/td>\n 470\u2013530+<\/td>\n N\/A (provincial nomination)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Provincial nomination<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n No<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Processing time (total)<\/td>\n 14\u201318 months<\/td>\n 6\u201312 months<\/td>\n 12\u201324 months<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Best for<\/td>\n Candidates with an Ontario job offer<\/td>\n Candidates with high CRS scores<\/td>\n Candidates with a connection to another province<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n
What is the Ontario PNP and how does it work?<\/h3>\n
How much does the Ontario PNP cost in 2026?<\/h3>\n
What documents are required for the Ontario PNP?<\/h3>\n
What are the eligibility requirements for the Ontario PNP?<\/h3>\n
How long does the Ontario PNP take to process?<\/h3>\n
What is the difference between the old OINP streams and the new Workforce Priority stream?<\/h3>\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n
Sources<\/h2>\n
\nAuthor:<\/strong> Visaline Legal Editorial Team<\/p>\n