Provincial Nominee Program Update — September 17, 2026
Thursday, September 17, 2026
Ontario launched a new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream under the OINP, with the expression of interest (EOI) portal opening on August 4, 2026; the stream covers job offers across all NOC TEER categories and includes a pathway for self-employed physicians.
Ontario's OINP redesign Phase 1 was announced on June 26, 2026, with updated regulations under Ontario Regulation 422/17 of the Ontario Immigration Act, 2015 forming the legal basis for the new stream.
Canada's 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan targets 380,000 new permanent residents annually, with the Economic Class accounting for approximately 244,700 admissions per year.
What You Should Do
- If you have a job offer in Ontario in any NOC TEER category (including as a self-employed physician), review your eligibility for the new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream at ontario.ca and submit an Expression of Interest through the OINP EOI portal, which opened August 4, 2026.
- Employers in Ontario supporting a nominee should review the updated Ontario Workforce Priority Stream eligibility criteria at ontario.ca/page/2026-ontario-immigrant-nominee-program-updates to confirm requirements under Ontario Regulation 422/17 before submitting an EOI.
- If you are planning a PNP pathway under Express Entry, check Canada's 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan at canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-levels-plans.html to understand annual targets by immigration class and plan your timeline accordingly.
Topics Covered
PNP Federal-Provincial Authority Transfer: Ontario launched Phase 1 of an OINP redesign effective June 26, 2026, creating the new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream with updated regulations under Ontario Regulation 422/17, covering all NOC TEER categories and self-employed physicians.
2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan: Canada's 2026-2028 plan holds annual PR admissions steady at 380,000, with the Economic Class targeted at approximately 244,700 per year and the Family Class at 81,000.
How these topics connect
As federal targets push more immigration volume through provincial channels, the authority transfer to provinces becomes operationally essential — applicants should expect provinces to play an increasingly gatekeeping role in their Express Entry outcomes.
More Provincial Nominee Program Updates
Provincial Nominee Program Update — October 1, 2026
Oct 1, 2026
Provincial Nominee Program Update — September 24, 2026
Sep 24, 2026
Provincial Nominee Program Update — September 14, 2026
Sep 14, 2026
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