The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is set to undergo significant legal changes to the Ontario Immigration Act (OIA) in 2026, leading to a complete overhaul of existing streams, candidate selection, and program structure.
These changes, scheduled for May 30, 2026, hint at the introduction of new streams on that day, pending official confirmation by the province.
The amendments to the OIA provide insights into the reforms planned by Ontario’s immigration authority for the year 2026.
Revocation of Eligibility Categories on May 30
On May 30, 2026, the OINP will revoke eligibility for various categories of applicants seeking provincial nomination, including:
- The foreign worker category
- The international student with a job offer category
- The in-demand skills category
- The master’s graduate category
- The Ph.D. graduate category
- The human capital priorities category
- The French-speaking skilled worker category
- The skilled trades category
- The entrepreneur category
Individuals meeting these categories based on current eligibility criteria will no longer qualify for nomination.
Further details on the permanency of this change, potential replacement categories, and their establishment timeline are yet to be disclosed by the OINP.
Previous consultations with stakeholders have hinted at the introduction of new streams by the province.
This strategic shift aims to empower Ontario’s immigration minister to redesign the OINP by introducing or eliminating selection streams.
Introduction of Targeted Draws for All Streams
Effective May 30, 2026, the selection criteria for draws will be expanded to include both targeted and general draws across all categories.
The OINP director will now have the authority to determine whether to issue general or targeted invitations for nomination applications.
Under the updated regulations, candidates will be ranked for targeted draws based on specific labour market or human capital attributes, with invitations extended solely to the highest-ranking applicants meeting these criteria.
The introduction of targeted draws aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the nomination process.