The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has changed completely. Ontario has launched a single new route – the Ontario Workforce Priority stream – and closed all of its previous streams, including the Express Entry-linked Human Capital Priorities stream that many Indian applicants used. If you are planning Ontario PR from Hyderabad, this page explains what the new stream needs, who it suits and how our Ontario PNP consultants in Hyderabad can help. Information on this page is based on the official Ontario Workforce Priority stream page as last checked in September 2026.
| Before the change | Now | |
|---|---|---|
| Streams | Several streams – job offer streams, graduate streams and Express Entry streams | One stream: Ontario Workforce Priority |
| Job offer | Not needed for some Express Entry and graduate streams | Needed (except for eligible self-employed physicians) |
| Occupations | Depended on the stream | Job offer in any NOC occupation, with rules based on its TEER category |
| Who starts the process | Often the applicant | The employer, through the OINP employer portal |
In short: without an Ontario job offer, the OINP is currently not open to most applicants in India. Ontario says more changes are coming, so we track the official OINP updates closely.
The rules depend on the TEER category of your job offer – the second digit of the five-digit NOC code.
| Job offer TEER | You need one of these |
|---|---|
| TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 | 6 months of consecutive, paid, full-time work in the job offer position within the last 12 months; or 3 months if you are a recent eligible Ontario graduate; or 2 years of full-time experience in the same NOC occupation within the last 5 years; or the licence required for the position |
| TEER 4 or 5 | 9 months of cumulative, paid, full-time work in the job offer position within the last 2 years |
For most people applying from India, the realistic route is the 2 years of experience in the same NOC occupation within 5 years, combined with an Ontario job offer – because the other options need work in Ontario first.
Your employer has its own requirements. Among them, the business must have been active for at least 3 years, have premises in Ontario where you will work, have no outstanding employment-standards or safety orders, meet revenue requirements based on location, and pay the wage level set for the job’s location. The full list is in Ontario’s stream requirements and employer guide.
Self-employed physicians can apply without a job offer if they hold an OHIP billing number and an eligible certificate of registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.
If you do not have an Ontario employer, the OINP is not the right starting point today. Your profile may still qualify for Canada PR through:
Under the current Ontario Workforce Priority stream, a job offer from an eligible Ontario employer is required. The only exception is eligible self-employed physicians. Without a job offer, Express Entry or another province’s program is usually the better route.
No. Ontario has closed all previous streams, including Human Capital Priorities, and replaced them with the Ontario Workforce Priority stream.
A job offer in any NOC occupation can qualify, but the work experience, language and education rules change with the TEER category of that occupation.
Ontario decides on the nomination. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) makes the final decision on permanent residence.
Share your job offer details, NOC code, experience and language score, and we will tell you whether the Ontario Workforce Priority stream fits – or which route does. Book a free consultation or call +91 95055 15154.
