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Last Updated: August 04, 2026
Ontario PNP (OINP): Eligibility, Points & How to Apply
Ontario holds the largest provincial nomination allocation in Canada, making Ontario PNP (OINP) one of the strongest routes to Canadian permanent residence for skilled workers, tradespeople, and physicians. The program now runs through a single stream, the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream (OWPS), with job offer pathways and a dedicated route for self-employed physicians.
A provincial nomination also extends to your spouse and dependent children, giving your whole family a faster route to settling in Ontario.
*Want to migrate to Canada? Consult Y-Axis for expert guidance and end to end visa support.
Why Apply for Ontario PNP?
- Over 175,000 job vacancies across the province
- No LMIA required for your job offer
- Earn average annual salaries above CAD $80,000 per year
- Adds 600 CRS points on nomination
- High demand across IT, healthcare, engineering, and finance
- Faster PR processing through Express Entry
*Want to apply for Canada PR? Sign up with Y-Axis to guide you through the OINP application process.
What Is Ontario PNP (OINP)?
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), also known as Ontario PNP, lets the province nominate candidates with a job offer, or self-employed physicians, for Canadian permanent residence based on labour market needs. Once nominated, IRCC reviews and approves your application for permanent residence.
Ontario redesigned OINP in 2026, replacing nine separate streams with one, the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream (OWPS), which ranks candidates through a single, transparent points-based system.
Ontario PNP Pathways (OWPS)
Ontario PNP currently runs through the Workforce Priority Stream (OWPS) to address ongoing labour shortages. OWPS offers three pathways to permanent residence: TEER 0-3 for skilled occupations, TEER 4-5 for general occupations, and a dedicated route for self-employed physicians.
The right pathway depends on the candidate's occupation, TEER classification, job offer, and language test score.
TEER 0-3 Pathway for Skilled Occupations
This pathway suits candidates working in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 roles with a full-time, permanent job offer from a registered Ontario employer. Requirements include CLB 6 (or CLB 5 for select occupations), a recognized professional license or post-secondary credential, and relevant work experience in the field.
TEER 4-5 Pathway for General Occupations
This route covers TEER 4 and 5 occupations, provided the job offer is full-time, permanent, and pays at least the median wage listed on the federal Job Bank for that role. Candidates need a minimum of nine months' continuous work experience with their current employer over the past two years, a completed secondary education, and CLB 4 in English or French.
Self-Employed Physicians
Physicians in good standing with an Ontario medical license, and eligible to bill through OHIP, can apply through this pathway directly, without a job offer requirement.
Who Is Eligible for Ontario PNP?
To qualify for Ontario PNP, you need a full-time, permanent job offer from a registered Ontario employer, or a license to practice as a physician billing through OHIP. Each pathway has different requirements for wage, work experience, and language proficiency.
- Full-time, permanent job offer from a registered Ontario employer
- Minimum CLB score in English or French, based on your occupation's TEER level
- Post-secondary credential or professional license matching your occupation
- Active Expression of Interest (EOI) registered with the OINP
- Competitive score under Ontario's 130-point scoring system
- No job offer required for self-employed physicians
*Looking to apply for Ontario PNP? Book a free consultation with Y-Axis to check your eligibility.
Ontario PNP Points System
Ontario ranks candidates under OWPS on a 130-point scale across twelve factors, covering work location, wage, education, language ability, and Ontario work experience. Candidates with the highest scores get priority for an invitation to apply for provincial nomination.
Points Summary:
| Factor | Maximum Points |
|---|---|
| Work Region | 15 |
| Occupation Skill Level (NOC TEER) | 9 |
| Compensation | 15 |
| Occupational Category | 10 |
| Ontario Work Experience (job offer role) | 18 |
| Ontario Work Experience (different occupation) | 12 |
| Canadian Income Tax History | 8 |
| Level of Education | 10 |
| Canadian Educational Credentials | 10 |
| Highest Official Language Proficiency | 15 |
| Official Language Bilingualism | 10 |
| Temporary Resident Status | 10 |
Work Region: Candidates working in Northern Ontario earn the maximum 15 points. Candidates working in Toronto earn 0.
| Region | Points |
|---|---|
| Northern Ontario | 15 |
| Eastern Ontario | 10 |
| Central Ontario (outside GTA) | 10 |
| Southwestern Ontario | 10 |
| Outside Toronto, within GTA | 5 |
| Toronto | 0 |
Occupation Skill Level (NOC TEER): Candidates in management or university-level occupations (TEER 0-1) earn the maximum 9 points.
| NOC TEER | Points |
|---|---|
| 0 or 1 | 9 |
| 2 or 3 | 6 |
| 4 or 5 | 0 |
Compensation: Candidates earning $40 an hour or more receive the maximum 15 points.
| Hourly Wage | Points |
|---|---|
| $40 or more | 15 |
| $35–$39.99 | 12 |
| $30–$34.99 | 10 |
| $25–$29.99 | 8 |
| $20–$24.99 | 5 |
| Under $20 | 0 |
Occupational Category: Candidates working in health occupations earn the maximum 10 points.
| Broad Occupational Category | Points |
|---|---|
| Health | 10 |
| Trades, transport, and equipment operators | 8 |
| Natural and applied sciences | 6 |
| Legislative/senior management; business, finance, admin; education, law, social/community/government services; natural resources, agriculture; manufacturing, utilities | 4 |
| Art, culture, recreation, sport; sales and service | 2 |
Ontario Work Experience: Ontario scores work experience two ways, based on whether it's in the exact job offer role or in a different occupation.
Experience in the Job Offer Role
| Duration | Points |
|---|---|
| More than 24 months | 18 |
| 13–24 months | 15 |
| 6–12 months | 12 |
Ontario Work Experience in a Different Occupation
| Duration | Points |
|---|---|
| More than 24 months | 12 |
| 13–24 months | 9 |
| 6–12 months | 6 |
| Under 6 months | 0 |
Canadian Income Tax History: Candidates with a highest annual income of $70,000 or more, based on a CRA Notice of Assessment, earn the maximum 8 points.
| Highest Annual Income (past 5 years) | Points |
|---|---|
| $70,000 or more | 8 |
| $50,000–$69,999 | 6 |
| $30,000–$49,999 | 4 |
| Under $30,000 | 0 |
Level of Education: Candidates with a doctorate, or a degree in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, or optometry, earn the maximum 10 points.
| Highest Education | Points |
|---|---|
| Doctorate, or medicine/dentistry/veterinary medicine/optometry degree | 10 |
| Master's degree | 8 |
| University certificate/diploma above bachelor's, or bachelor's degree | 6 |
| Ontario College Graduate Certificate, sub-bachelor's diploma, college diploma, or trades certificate | 5 |
| Lower than college or trade certificate | 0 |
Canadian Educational Credentials: Candidates with two or more eligible Canadian post-secondary credentials, each at least one year full-time from an eligible institution, earn the maximum 10 points.
| Number of Credentials | Points |
|---|---|
| Two or more | 10 |
| One | 5 |
| None | 0 |
Highest Official Language Proficiency: Candidates with a minimum CLB of 9 across all four abilities earn the maximum 15 points.
| Minimum CLB (all four abilities) | Points |
|---|---|
| 9 or higher | 15 |
| 8 | 12 |
| 7 | 8 |
| 6 | 4 |
| 5 or lower | 0 |
Official Language Bilingualism: Candidates proficient in both English and French at minimum CLB 6 earn the maximum 10 points.
| Languages at Minimum CLB 6 | Points |
|---|---|
| Both English and French | 10 |
| One language | 5 |
Temporary Resident Status: Candidates with a valid work permit earn the maximum 10 points.
| Status | Points |
|---|---|
| Valid work permit | 10 |
| Valid study permit | 5 |
| Neither (legal status still required) | 0 |
Self-Employed Physicians: Alternate Scoring
Physician candidates skip the hourly wage factor. Ontario work experience is scored by cumulative medical practice instead.
| Cumulative Medical Practice in Ontario | Points |
|---|---|
| 24 months or more | 18 |
| 13–24 months | 15 |
| 6–12 months | 12 |
| Under 6 months | 0 |
Ontario PNP Requirements
Ontario PNP requires a job offer from a registered Ontario employer for most candidates or an Ontario medical license for self-employed physicians.
- Employer registers the job offer on the OINP Employer Portal before EOI registration
- Job offer must be full-time and permanent, with no fixed end date, and at or above the occupation's median wage
- No LMIA required for the job offer itself
- EOI registration due within 30 days of employer approval
- Self-employed physicians don't need a job offer or an employer to apply
- Intention to live and work in Ontario
- Candidates must meet Canada's standard admissibility requirements
Ontario PNP Document Checklist
Ontario PNP requires a specific set of documents once you receive an invitation to apply, covering identity, education, language ability, and work history.
- Applicant Consent Form
- Passport and photograph
- Status document, such as a work or study permit
- Education documents or an ECA report
- Language test results (IELTS, CELPIP, PTE Core, TEF, or TCF)
- Occupational license, if required
- Work history and proof of compensation
- Resume
- Proof of ties to Ontario
- Supporting documents for your scoring factors
- Self-employed physicians also need their CPSO registration and OHIP billing number.
How to Apply for Ontario PNP?
To apply through the Ontario PNP, your employer must first submit your job offer through the Employer Portal. You then register an Expression of Interest (EOI). If you receive an invitation to apply, you submit your OINP application. Once nominated by Ontario, you can apply to IRCC for permanent residence.
Step 1: Check your Eligibility
Check whether you qualify under TEER 0-3, TEER 4-5, or the Self-Employed Physicians pathway, based on your occupation, job offer, and language ability.
Step 2: Employer Registers the Job Offer
For job offer pathways, your employer registers on the OINP Employer Portal and submits your job offer for approval.
Step 3: Register Your Expression of Interest (EOI)
Once your employer's submission is approved, you have 30 calendar days to register your EOI in Ontario's online system.
Step 4: Wait for an Invitation to Apply
Ontario ranks EOI profiles by score and invites top-ranked candidates to apply for provincial nomination.
Step 5: Submit Your Application
Your employer has 14 days to submit their portion, and you have 17 days to submit yours, along with your supporting documents.
Step 6: Receive Your Nomination
Once approved, Ontario issues your nomination certificate.
Step 7: Apply to IRCC for Permanent Residence
Submit your nomination to IRCC within 6 months and complete medical, security, and background checks.
*Want to apply for Ontario PNP? Book a free consultation with Y-Axis for expert guidance.
Ontario PNP Fees
The cost of Ontario PNP ranges from CAD $1,500 to $2,000 in provincial fees. This fee applies only once you're invited to apply, separate from any federal fees paid to IRCC.
- CAD $1,500 outside the Greater Toronto Area
- CAD $2,000 within the Greater Toronto Area
- No fee to register your EOI, only once invited
- Physicians pay the same rate, based on practice location
Ontario PNP Processing Time
Ontario PNP runs on fixed deadlines at each stage, from your EOI to your final IRCC application. The overall timeline depends on application volume, and Ontario updates official processing times as OINP draws continue.
| Stage | Processing Time |
|---|---|
| EOI registration to invitation | Varies |
| Employer submits application | Within 14 days of your invitation |
| You submit your application and pay | Within 17 days of your invitation |
| Nomination to IRCC application | Within 6 months of your nomination certificate |
| Express Entry: accept or refuse nomination | Within 30 days |
| Express Entry: submit to IRCC after accepting | Within 60 days |
Most In-Demand Occupations in Ontario
Ontario offers strong, steady demand across healthcare, technology, skilled trades, and finance, sectors that consistently drive the province's hiring needs. Candidates working in these fields under OWPS benefit from competitive salaries and solid scoring potential across the points system, with several occupations paying well above the national average.
| Occupation | Average Annual Salary (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $133,328 |
| Software Engineers and Designers | $104,000 |
| Data Scientists | $95,000 |
| Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses | $85,000 |
| Physiotherapists | $90,000 |
| Occupational Therapists | $85,000 |
| Human Resources Professionals | $79,560 |
| Financial Auditors and Accountants | $85,000 |
| Construction Managers | $100,000 |
| Electricians (Except Industrial and Power System) | $70,000 |
Latest Ontario PNP (OINP) Draws
| Month | No. of Draws | Total Invitations |
|---|---|---|
| April | 14 | 7,730 |
| March | 8 | 2,355 |
| February | 8 | 3,229 |
| January | NA | NA |
How Can Y-Axis Help You?
Y-Axis is the world's No. 1 overseas immigration consultancy, providing unbiased and personalized immigration assistance for over 25 years. Our visa experts help you at every stage of your Ontario PNP journey, from choosing the right pathway to submitting your final application.
- Free eligibility assessment for Canadian PR
- Guidance on choosing the right OWPS pathway for your profile
- Complete support with your employer's Ontario PNP job offer registration
- Preparing your Expression of Interest and document checklist
- Coaching for IELTS, CELPIP, and other required language tests
- Assistance with your final IRCC application after nomination
- Resume Marketing to help you find an Ontario employer for your job offer
Sign up with Y-Axis to start your Ontario PNP journey today.
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