Ontario Publishes Full Points Formula for Its New Workforce Priority Immigration Stream
Ontario has released the complete 130-point scoring grid for its new Workforce Priority Stream, covering wages, region, education, language and more, as part of its 2026 provincial immigration overhaul.
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Key Takeaways
- Ontario has published the full scoring formula for its new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream (OWPS), worth up to 130 points.
- Points are awarded across factors including work region, occupation skill level, wage, work experience, education, language ability, and immigration status.
- The OWPS is one of three new pathways introduced after Ontario retired all nine of its previous provincial nomination streams on May 30, 2026.
Ontario has pulled back the curtain on exactly how it will rank candidates competing for a provincial nomination under its overhauled immigration system. The province released its scoring criteria for the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream (OWPS), giving prospective applicants their first detailed look at what separates a competitive profile from the rest.
How the OWPS Scoring Formula Works
Candidates with a qualifying job offer can earn up to 130 points total. Those who rank highest will be prioritized for an invitation to apply for a provincial nomination, which in turn opens the door to permanent residence through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
Work Region
| 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)
| NOC TEER | Points |
|---|---|
| 0 | 9 |
| 1 | 9 |
| 2 | 6 |
| 3 | 6 |
| 4 | 0 |
| 5 | 0 |
Compensation (Hourly Wage)
| Hourly Wage | Points |
|---|---|
| ≥ $40 | 15 |
| $35–$39.99 | 12 |
| $30–$34.99 | 10 |
| $25–$29.99 | 8 |
| $20–$24.99 | 5 |
| < $20 | 0 |
Occupational Category
| Category | Points |
|---|---|
| 3 | 10 |
| 7 | 8 |
| 2 | 6 |
| 0, 1, 4, 8, or 9 | 4 |
| 5 or 6 | 2 |
Ontario Work Experience
For candidates who have worked at least six months in the job offer position:
| Experience in Job Offer Position | Points |
|---|---|
| > 24 months | 18 |
| 13–24 months | 15 |
| 6–12 months | 12 |
For other candidates, based on general Ontario work experience:
| Experience in Ontario | Points |
|---|---|
| > 24 months | 12 |
| 13–24 months | 9 |
| 6–12 months | 6 |
| < 6 months | 0 |
Canadian Income Tax History
| Highest Annual Income (Past 5 Years) | Points |
|---|---|
| ≥ $70,000 | 8 |
| $50,000–$69,999 | 6 |
| $30,000–$49,999 | 4 |
| < $30,000 | 0 |
Level of Education
| Highest Credential | Points |
|---|---|
| Doctorate | 10 |
| Degree in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, or optometry | 10 |
| Master's degree | 8 |
| University certificate/diploma above bachelor's level | 6 |
| Bachelor's degree or equivalent | 6 |
| Ontario College Graduate Certificate | 5 |
| University certificate/diploma below bachelor's level | 5 |
| College, CEGEP, or other non-university certificate | 5 |
| Apprenticeship or trades certificate/diploma | 5 |
| Lower than college or trade certificate | 0 |
Canadian Educational Credentials
| Number of Eligible Credentials | Points |
|---|---|
| Two or more | 10 |
| One | 5 |
| None | 0 |
To count, a credential must come from an eligible Canadian post-secondary institution and a program of at least one year, completed full-time.
Language Proficiency
| Minimum CLB Score (All 4 Abilities) | Points |
|---|---|
| ≥ 9 | 15 |
| 8 | 12 |
| 7 | 8 |
| 6 | 4 |
| ≤ 5 | 0 |
Official Language Bilingualism
| Languages at CLB 6+ | Points |
|---|---|
| Both languages | 10 |
| One language | 5 |
Temporary Resident Status
| Status | Points |
|---|---|
| Work permit | 10 |
| Study permit | 5 |
| Neither | 0 |
Self-employed physicians are not scored on the hourly wage factor. Instead, they are assessed on cumulative medical practice in Ontario:
| Cumulative Medical Practice in Ontario | Points |
|---|---|
| ≥ 24 months | 18 |
| 13–24 months | 15 |
| 6–12 months | 12 |
| < 6 months | 0 |
The scoring criteria were published by the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) on July 20, 2026, alongside a list of eligible Ontario and Canadian post-secondary institutions relevant to the education factors.
The Path from Application to Permanent Residence
Under the OWPS, the process runs as follows:
- Create an eligible profile in the OINP's online Expression of Interest (EOI) system.
- Be selected by the OINP and receive an invitation to apply for provincial nomination.
- Submit a complete application for provincial nomination to the OINP.
- Receive a provincial nomination.
- Apply to the federal government for permanent residence as a provincial nominee.
- Receive a confirmation of permanent residence (COPR) and land as a permanent resident.
To qualify for a nomination under the OWPS, a foreign national must fit one of three pathways: a TEER 0–3 pathway for higher-skilled occupations, a TEER 4–5 pathway for lower-skilled occupations, or a dedicated stream for self-employed physicians eligible to bill through the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). The job offer pathways require an eligible Ontario employer to initiate the candidate's EOI.
Ontario's online EOI system is currently closed but is expected to reopen later this summer, according to the OINP.
Part of a Broader Overhaul
The OWPS is, for now, the only one of Ontario's new immigration streams for which the province has released complete eligibility criteria. Ontario retired all nine of its previous provincial immigration pathways on May 30, 2026, and announced the full eligibility criteria for the three new OWPS pathways on June 26, 2026.
The province has also signalled plans to launch three further streams in the future: a Priority Healthcare stream, aimed at healthcare workers and not expected to require a job offer; an Entrepreneur stream; and an Exceptional Talent stream, intended for individuals demonstrating excellence in fields such as literary, creative and performing arts, academic research, and scientific innovation. No launch date has been announced for any of these three streams.
What This Means for Applicants
For candidates eyeing Ontario's PNP pathway, the newly published scoring grid is the clearest signal yet of what the province values: higher wages, in-demand occupations, time spent working in Ontario specifically, strong language ability, and Canadian credentials all compound into a stronger score. Prospective applicants with a pending or upcoming job offer should map their own profile against this 130-point scale now, since the EOI system's reopening this summer will likely trigger a wave of new submissions competing for a limited number of invitations.
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