Ontario Introduces a New Scoring System for Permanent Residence Pathways

By Eva Olsen [Published 28 Jul, 2026 | 07:38 AM] 177

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has introduced a new 130 point scoring system for its Ontario Workforce Priority Stream (OWPS) to rank candidates seeking Canadian permanent residence (PR).

The highest-scoring candidates will prioritize receiving Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for an Ontario provincial nomination under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

Applicants can earn points based on factors such as Ontario work experience, language proficiency, work location, occupation, salary, and current immigration status.

The new system is built to identify skilled professionals who can contribute to Ontario's labour market needs and contribute to the growth of the economy.

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Ontario Announces New 2026 OWPS Scoring System

The Ontario Workforce Priority Stream (OWPS) prioritizes eligible applicants through a comprehensive points-based assessment system. Points are awarded based on several factors and a detailed breakdown of the scoring criteria is provided in the table below.

Candidates with the highest scores will receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for an Ontario Immigration Nomination Program, providing them with a pathway to Canadian permanent residence (PR).

Scoring Factor	Criteria	Points
Work Region	Northern Ontario	15
	Eastern Ontario, Central Ontario (outside GTA), Southwestern Ontario	10
	Outside Toronto, within GTA	5
	Toronto	0
Occupation Skill Level (NOC TEER)	TEER 0 or 1	9
	TEER 2 or 3	6
	TEER 4 or 5	0
Compensation	$40/hour or more	15
	$35–$39.99/hour	12
	$30–$34.99/hour	10
	$25–$29.99/hour	8
	$20–$24.99/hour	5
	Less than $20/hour	0
Occupational Category	Health occupations	10
	Trades, transport and equipment operators	8
	Natural and applied sciences	6
	Legislative and senior management, business, education, law, social services, natural resources, manufacturing and utilities	4
	Art, culture, recreation, sport, sales and service	2
Ontario Work Experience	More than 24 months in the job offer position	18
	13–24 months in the job offer position	15
	6–12 months in the job offer position	12
	More than 24 months of other Ontario work experience	12
	13–24 months of other Ontario work experience	9
	6–12 months of other Ontario work experience	6
	Less than 6 months of other Ontario work experience	0
Canadian Income Tax History	$70,000 or more	8
	$50,000–$69,999	6
	$30,000–$49,999	4
	Less than $30,000	0
Highest Level of Education	Doctorate or professional degree in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine or optometry	10
	Master’s degree	8
	University certificate or diploma above bachelor’s level	6
	Bachelor’s degree or equivalent	6
	Other eligible college, university or trade credentials	5
	Below college or trade certificate level	0
Canadian Educational Credentials	Two or more eligible post-secondary credentials	10
	One eligible post-secondary credential	5
	None	0
Highest Official Language Proficiency	CLB 9 or higher	15
	CLB 8	12
	CLB 7	8
	CLB 6	4
	CLB 5 or lower	0
Official Language Bilingualism	CLB 6 or higher in both English and French	10
Official Language Bilingualism	CLB 6 or higher in one official language	5
Temporary Resident Status	Valid work permit	10
	Valid study permit	5
	Neither, but with legal immigration status	0
Self-Employed Physician Work Experience	24 months or more of cumulative medical practice in Ontario	18
	13–24 months	15
	6–12 months	12
	Less than 6 months	0

The Ontario Points Calculator helps skilled professionals in understanding the new 2026 OWPS scoring system. Like how points are awarded for different factors which is already highlighted in the above mentioned table.

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How to Apply Under Ontario's Workforce Priority Stream (OWPS)?

Applying through the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream (OWPS) involves an organized process for applicants seeking a Canadian permanent residence and an Ontario provincial nomination.

Create an Expression of Interest (EOI) Profile: Eligible candidates must first create an Expression of Interest (EOI) profile in Ontario's online OINP system. The profile must have details about the candidate’s work experience, occupation, education, language proficiency and other relevant factors.

Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA): Ontario frequently reviews the EOI pool and prioritizes the highest-ranking applicants to apply for a provincial nomination. Only applicants who got an Invitation to Apply (ITA) can proceed with the application process.

Submit an Application to the OINP: After getting an ITA, candidates must submit a complete application to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) along with all relevant documents within the given deadline.

Receive an Ontario Provincial Nomination: If the application is selected, Ontario issues a Provincial Nomination Certificate, confirming that the applicant has been chosen by the province for PR.

Apply for Canadian Permanent Residence: Following the provincial nomination, applicants must submit their permanent residence application to the Government of Canada through the respective immigration process.

Receive Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR):The applicant can finish the landing process and formally become a permanent resident of Canada after receiving a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) from the federal government.

Aspiring candidates who wish to apply for Canada PR are encouraged to explore opportunities under the New Scoring System and stay updated with the latest information.

This will faster your application process and help you in increasing your chances of receiving an ITA’s.

Source: ontario.ca

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