Ontario has updated its immigrant nominee scoring system, effective October 5, 2026. The change introduces a new top earnings bracket, awarding more points to candidates earning at least $80,000 annually. This adjustment was applied automatically to eligible candidate profiles and is part of a broader overhaul of how Ontario selects foreign nationals for provincial immigration. The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) announced the change on October 7, 2026.
Under the revised system, candidates earning $70,000 to $79,999 still receive eight points, while those with annual earnings of $80,000 or above now qualify for 10 points. The updated breakdown is as follows: candidates earning below $30,000 receive no points; those earning between $30,000 and $49,999 earn four points; $50,000 to $69,999 earns six points; $70,000 to $79,999 earns eight points; and $80,000 or more now earns the maximum 10 points.
Earnings are verified through a Notice of Assessment issued by the Canada Revenue Agency within the past five years. Candidates who accumulate higher overall scores are more likely to receive an invitation from the OINP to apply for provincial nomination. Upon receiving a nomination, they may then apply to the federal government for permanent residence.
The Ontario Workforce Priority Stream (OWPS) is currently the only route through which foreign nationals can pursue provincial nomination for permanent residence from Ontario. The province formally launched the stream on June 26, 2026, having unveiled its ranking system on July 20, 2026, and opened intake to eligible Ontario employers, workers, and self-employed physicians on August 4, 2026.
The introduction of the OWPS followed the OINP's decision on May 30, 2026, to revoke all its previous permanent residence pathways. This restructuring forms the first phase of a wider overhaul that Ontario signalled in December 2025. A second phase is planned and will include three additional streams: The Priority Healthcare Stream, The Entrepreneur Stream, and The Exceptional Talent Stream.
Earlier, it was reported that Canada's federal immigration authority named six industries where the country is actively recruiting skilled workers from abroad. The identified sectors are described as "key and emerging industries" with demand expected to rise rather than plateau in the near term. Officials attributed the push to growth in Canada's economy and the need to fill specialised roles that the domestic workforce cannot fully supply.
The changes aim to attract highly skilled workers to Ontario, contributing to the province's economic growth. With the new points system, candidates with higher earnings have a better chance of receiving a provincial nomination. This update is part of Ontario's efforts to adapt its immigration strategy to meet the needs of its labour market.
Key points
- Ontario has introduced a new top earnings bracket, awarding 10 points to candidates earning at least $80,000 annually under the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream.
- The updated scoring system aims to attract highly skilled workers to Ontario, contributing to the province's economic growth.
- A second phase of Ontario's immigration overhaul is planned, including three additional streams: The Priority Healthcare Stream, The Entrepreneur Stream, and The Exceptional Talent Stream.
