Ontario’s New OINP Points System (2026): Complete Breakdown of the 130-Point Scoring System

Ontario has introduced a brand-new Workforce Priority Stream under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). If you’re hoping to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), understanding how the new 130-point Expression of Interest (EOI) system works is essential.

The higher your score, the better your chances of being invited during an OINP draw. Ontario has redesigned the program to prioritize workers with strong job offers, in-demand occupations, higher wages, Canadian experience, education, and language skills.

Maximum Score

* 130 points for applicants with a job offer
* 115 points for eligible self-employed physicians

⸻

1. NOC TEER Category (Maximum 9 Points)

TEER

Points

TEER 0 or 1

9

TEER 2 or 3

6

TEER 4 or 5

0

Higher-skilled occupations receive more points.

2. NOC Broad Occupational Category (Maximum 10 Points)

Occupational Category

Points

Category 3

10

Category 7

8

Category 2

6

Categories 0, 1, 4, 8, 9

4

Categories 5 & 6

2

These categories reflect Ontario’s labour market priorities.

3. Hourly Wage (Maximum 15 Points)
Hourly Wage

Points

$40+

15

$35–39.99

12

$30–34.99

10

$25–29.99

8

$20–24.99

5

Under $20

0

Higher wages significantly improve your score.

4. Ontario Work Experience (Maximum 18 Points)

Experience

Points

More than 24 months

18

13–24 months

15

6–12 months

12

Less than 6 months

0

This is the highest-scoring employment factor.

5. Canadian Earnings History (Maximum 8 Points

Annual Earnings

Points

$70,000+

8

$50,000–69,999

6

$30,000–49,999

4

Under $30,000

0

Ontario rewards applicants who have established themselves in the Canadian labour marke

6. Legal Status in Canada (Maximum 10 Points)

Status

Points

Valid Work Permit

10

Valid Study Permit

5

No Valid Permit

0

Maintaining legal status is important.

7. Highest Level of Education (Maximum 10 Points)
Education

Points

PhD / MD / Veterinary

10

Master’s Degree

8

Bachelor’s Degree

6

Ontario Graduate Certificate

5

University Diploma/Certificate (below Bachelor’s)

5

College / CEGEP / Trade Certificate

5

Apprenticeship

5

Less than above

0

8. Number of Canadian Education Credentials (Maximum 10 Points
Credentials

Points

More than one

10

One

5

None

0

Multiple Canadian credentials provide a competitive advantage.

9. Official Language Ability (English or French) (Maximum 15 Points)
CLB Level

Points

CLB 9+

15

CLB 8

12

CLB 7

8

CLB 6

4

CLB 5 or below

0

Language is one of the most important scoring factors.

10. Knowledge of Both Official Languages (Maximum 10 Points)
Languages

Points

English and French

10

One Official Language

5

Being bilingual gives applicants an additional boost.

11. Regional Immigration – Location of Employment (Maximum 15 Points)
Employment Location

Points

Northern Ontario

15

Eastern, Central (outside GTA), Southwestern Ontario

10

Inside GTA (excluding Toronto)

5

Toronto

0

Ontario is encouraging immigration outside Toronto by awarding higher scores for regional employment.

How Can You Increase Your Score?

The easiest ways to improve your OINP score include:

* Increase your hourly wage.
* Gain more Ontario work experience.
* Improve your English or French to CLB 9 or higher.
* Learn French to earn bilingual points.
* Pursue additional Canadian education.
* Consider employment outside Toronto.
* Work in a higher-skilled TEER occupation.

Final Thoughts

The new 130-point Ontario Workforce Priority Stream focuses on selecting candidates who are most likely to succeed in Ontario’s labour market. While every point matters, the biggest gains come from your work experience (18 points), language ability (15 points), hourly wage (15 points), and regional employment (15 points). Ontario’s redesign aims to better align immigration with the province’s economic needs.

At McBean Immigration Consulting Inc., we help international students, foreign workers, and employers navigate Ontario’s immigration programs. Our team can assess your eligibility, calculate your OINP score, and develop a strategy to maximize your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply.

Contact McBean Immigration Consulting Inc.

* 📞 416-991-8131
* 📧 info@canadanumberoneimmigration.com
* 🌐 canadanumberoneimmigration.com