Ontario releases scoring grid for new PR stream
Ontario published a detailed ranking system on July 20, 2026, outlining how candidates will be assessed under its newly introduced Workforce Priority Stream of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program.
The framework assigns scores across multiple factors, with a maximum of 140 points available for candidates with job offers, determining who may be invited to apply for a provincial nomination.
The update clarifies how expressions of interest will be evaluated once Ontario reopens its intake system, affecting foreign nationals and employers participating in the province’s immigration pathways.
- Ontario released a comprehensive scoring system tied to a 140-point scale
- Regional employment location plays a role, with Northern Ontario receiving the highest points
- Wage levels, occupation type, and work experience are key ranking factors
- Education, language ability, and tax history also influence scores
- Separate criteria apply to self-employed physicians
- The new system applies to the Workforce Priority Stream launched in June 2026
Scoring system introduced for Workforce Priority Stream
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program has defined how candidates will be ranked within its Workforce Priority Stream, a pathway announced in late June 2026. The scoring grid applies primarily to individuals with valid job offers from eligible employers in the province.
Under the model, points are distributed across several categories reflecting labour market priorities, human capital factors, and regional considerations. The highest-ranked candidates are expected to receive invitations to apply for provincial nomination.
Full details of Ontario’s nomination system can also be compared through tools such as the Ontario PNP (OINP) calculator, which reflects how points-based systems operate across streams.
Regional location influences candidate ranking
The geographic location of employment is a significant factor in the new scoring system. Northern Ontario receives the highest allocation, with 15 points available, reflecting ongoing labour needs in less densely populated regions.
Eastern, Central (outside the Greater Toronto Area), and Southwestern Ontario regions each carry allocations of 10 points. Locations within the Greater Toronto Area but outside Toronto receive five points.
No points are awarded for positions located within the City of Toronto itself, underscoring a policy emphasis on regional distribution of newcomers.
Occupation and wage levels factored into scores
Ontario assigns points based on occupational skill levels defined under Canada’s National Occupational Classification. Higher-skilled roles classified under TEER 0 and TEER 1 receive the most points within this category.
Compensation also plays a central role. Hourly wages at or above $40 are awarded the highest points, while wages below $20 receive no points in the ranking grid.
Occupational category groupings further refine scoring, with certain sectors receiving higher weight depending on provincial labour priorities.
Work experience in Ontario assessed differently
The scoring system distinguishes between candidates currently working in the job offer position and those with broader Ontario work experience. Individuals employed in the offered role for more than 24 months can receive up to 18 points.
Other applicants with Ontario work history are assessed on a reduced scale, with fewer points available for equivalent durations. Work experience of less than six months does not contribute to the score.
This approach emphasizes both job continuity and prior integration into the provincial labour market.
Income and tax history included in selection criteria
Ontario has incorporated past earnings into the ranking model through Canadian income tax history. Candidates with annual income of at least $70,000 within the past five years receive the highest points under this category.
Lower income brackets are assigned proportionally fewer points, while incomes below $30,000 do not contribute to the total score. This element links past economic participation with nomination eligibility.
Education and Canadian credentials affect scores
Higher levels of education correspond with increased points under the new system. Doctoral degrees and professional degrees in fields such as medicine and dentistry are awarded the highest values.
Post-secondary credentials obtained in Canada provide additional points, particularly where candidates hold more than one eligible credential. Programs must meet minimum duration requirements to qualify.
Lower educational attainment does not contribute to the score, reinforcing the emphasis on formal qualifications.
Language proficiency and bilingual ability measured
Language ability is evaluated based on Canadian Language Benchmark levels, with candidates achieving CLB 9 or higher receiving the most points. Scores decline progressively for lower benchmarks.
Additional points are awarded to candidates demonstrating proficiency in both official languages at a minimum level, reflecting federal and provincial priorities related to bilingualism.
Language remains a core selection factor across Canada’s economic immigration programs.
Temporary status and physician-specific criteria
Points are also assigned based on current temporary resident status. Individuals holding valid work permits receive higher scores than those with study permits, while those without status receive no points in this category.
Self-employed physicians are assessed differently within the stream. The province excludes wage-based scoring for this group and instead evaluates cumulative months of medical practice in Ontario.
Physicians with at least 24 months of experience in Ontario receive the highest points, aligning with efforts to address healthcare workforce shortages.
Background on Ontario’s new immigration pathways
The Workforce Priority Stream forms part of a broader set of three pathways introduced by Ontario on June 26, 2026. These pathways are designed to expand access to permanent residence for workers across different occupational skill levels.
The stream includes distinct pathways for higher-skilled occupations classified under TEER 0 to 3 and for roles in TEER 4 and 5 categories. A separate pathway exists for self-employed physicians eligible to bill through the provincial health insurance system.
All pathways require candidates to register an expression of interest through Ontario’s online system. In job offer streams, employers are responsible for initiating the application process.
Ontario’s expression of interest system is currently paused, with provincial authorities indicating that intake is expected to resume later in the summer. The release of the scoring system provides clarity ahead of that reopening.
Role within Canada’s broader immigration system
Provincial nominee programs operate alongside federal selection systems such as Express Entry, allowing provinces to select candidates aligned with local labour market needs. Ontario’s updated scoring model reflects ongoing adjustments to these programs.
Other provinces, including Manitoba and British Columbia, use points-based systems to rank candidates under their respective programs. Recent provincial draw activity can be tracked through resources such as Ontario draws (OINP), which compile invitation rounds and thresholds.
The introduction of detailed scoring criteria is a common feature as provinces seek to increase transparency and predictability in nomination processes.
Next steps for the program
With the scoring framework now published, attention is expected to shift to the reopening of Ontario’s expression of interest system. Invitations to apply will be issued based on rankings derived from the newly defined criteria.
The Workforce Priority Stream is one of several recent updates to provincial immigration programs introduced in 2026. The new scoring system establishes how candidates will be compared within this stream going forward.
Further operational updates, including intake timelines and invitation rounds, are anticipated following the system’s reopening, building on the July 20, 2026 release of the 140-point ranking structure.