OINP unveils scoring system for new permanent residence pathways
Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) scoring: detailed breakdown and what applicants must know
Why this matters
On July 20, 2026, the OINP published the full scoring system that will rank candidates for its newly announced immigration pathways. Job‑offer candidates can receive up to 140 points. Candidates must meet the requirements of at least one of the three new streams and create an online expression of interest (EOI) in Ontario’s system; the EOI portal is expected to re‑open later this summer. The published scorecard changes where applicants should focus to improve competitiveness.
How the scorecard works
Points are awarded across multiple categories, including job location, occupation skill level and category, hourly wage, Ontario work experience, Canadian tax history, education and Canadian credentials, language ability, and temporary resident status. Self‑employed physicians have alternate rules for Ontario work experience and are not scored on hourly wage.
Work region (region points)
– Northern Ontario: 15 points (includes Muskoka, Haliburton, Nipissing, Parry Sound, Manitoulin, Sudbury, Greater Sudbury, Timiskaming, Cochrane, Algoma, Thunder Bay, Rainy River, Kenora)
– Eastern Ontario: 10 points (Frontenac, Hastings, Kawartha Lakes, Lanark, Leeds and Grenville, Lennox and Addington, Northumberland, Ottawa, Peterborough, Prescott and Russell, Prince Edward, Renfrew, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry)
– Central Ontario (outside GTA): 10 points (Dufferin, Grey, Simcoe, Waterloo, Wellington)
– Southwestern Ontario: 10 points (Brant, Bruce, Chatham‑Kent, Elgin, Essex, Haldimand‑Norfolk, Hamilton, Huron, Lambton, Middlesex, Niagara, Oxford, Perth)
– Outside Toronto, within GTA: 5 points (Durham, Halton, Peel, York)
– Toronto (City of Toronto): 0 points
Occupation skill level (NOC TEER) and occupational category
– TEER points: TEER 0 = 9; TEER 1 = 9; TEER 2 = 6; TEER 3 = 6; TEER 4 = 0; TEER 5 = 0
– Occupational category points: Category 3 = 10; Category 7 = 8; Category 2 = 6; Categories 0, 1, 4, 8 or 9 = 4; Categories 5 or 6 = 2
Compensation (hourly wage)
– ≥ $40/hr: 15 points
– $35–$39.99/hr: 12 points
– $30–$34.99/hr: 10 points
– $25–$29.99/hr: 8 points
– $20–$24.99/hr: 5 points
– Below $20/hr: 0 points
(Note: self‑employed physicians are not scored on hourly wage.)
Ontario work experience
– Candidates working at least six months in the job‑offer position:
– >24 months: 18 points
– 13–24 months: 15 points
– 6–12 months: 12 points
– Other candidates (Ontario work experience total):
– >24 months: 12 points
– 13–24 months: 9 points
– 6–12 months: 6 points
– Self‑employed physicians (cumulative medical practice in Ontario): >24 months = 18; 13–24 months = 15; 6–12 months = 12
Canadian income tax history
– Highest annual income in the past five years:
– ≥ $70,000: 8 points
– $50,000–$69,999: 6 points
– $30,000–$49,999: 4 points
– Otherwise: 0 points
Level of education
– Doctorate: 10 points
– Degree in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, or optometry: 10 points
– Master’s degree: 8 points
– University certificate/diploma above bachelor’s: 6 points
– Bachelor’s degree or equivalent: 6 points
– Ontario College Graduate Certificate: 5 points
– University certificate/diploma below bachelor’s: 5 points
– College, CEGEP or other non‑university certificate/diploma: 5 points
– Apprenticeship or trades certificate/diploma: 5 points
– Lower than college/trades certificate: 0 points
Canadian educational credentials
– Two or more eligible Canadian post‑secondary credentials (programs of at least one year full‑time): 10 points
– One eligible Canadian credential: 5 points
– None: 0 points
Language ability
– Minimum CLB across all four abilities:
– CLB ≥ 9: 15 points
– CLB 8: 12 points
– CLB 7: 8 points
– CLB 6: 4 points
– ≤ CLB 5: 0 points
– Bilingualism (minimum CLB 6 across all four abilities in each language):
– Both official languages at CLB 6: 10 points
– One language at CLB 6: 5 points
Temporary resident status
– Work permit: 10 points
– Study permit: 5 points
– Neither: 0 points
What this indicates
The scorecard rewards regional diversification (higher points outside Toronto), higher skill and wage levels, Ontario ties (work experience and tax history), Canadian credentials, strong language ability, and candidates already in Canada on a work permit. Employers offering higher wages or roles outside Toronto may help candidates score better.
Practical next steps
– Gather proof of job location and employer details.
– Document hourly wage precisely (offer letter, contract, pay stubs).
– Compile Ontario work evidence (pay stubs, employer letters) showing months worked.
– Prepare Canadian tax documents for the highest annual income in the past five years.
– Verify educational credentials and, if applicable, that Canadian credentials meet the one‑year full‑time rule.
– Take official language tests with sufficient lead time to reach desired CLB levels.
– Keep temporary resident documents current and ready to upload.
– Self‑employed physicians should prepare documentation of cumulative Ontario medical practice under the alternate rules.
– Employers should consider how job location and wage affect candidate competitiveness.
Timing and next steps to watch
– June 26, 2026 — Ontario announced eligibility criteria for the three new streams.
– July 20, 2026 — OINP published the scoring criteria.
– EOI portal — expected to re‑open later this summer; candidates must create an EOI to be ranked.
Use the scorecard as a checklist to strengthen areas you can control (documentation, language testing, credential verification) and be ready to submit an EOI when the portal re‑opens.
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