Ontario has quietly amended its new Workforce Priority stream under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), granting an extra 10 ranking points to candidates whose CRA-verified income hit C$80,000 or more in any of the past five taxation years. The change took effect retroactively on 5 October 2026 and was auto-applied to all existing expressions of interest, the province confirmed in a 7 October update published yesterday. The Workforce Priority stream, launched in August after Ontario consolidated eight legacy employer-driven pathways, is now the sole portal through which foreign nationals can seek provincial nomination in Canada’s largest labour market. Because invitations are issued strictly on points, the new high-income bracket materially reshuffles the pool, favouring experienced professionals in finance, tech and health who command higher salaries. For employers, the tweak could speed up permanent-residence timelines for valued staff already on work permits, reducing retention risk in a tight talent market. Meanwhile, mid-career applicants earning just below the C$80k threshold may consider negotiating salary bumps or delaying EOI submission until their next Notice of Assessment posts. The province did not republish lower earning bands, leading to speculation that future draws might further differentiate wage levels as Ontario hunts for higher-tax-contributing nominees. Immigration advisers urge candidates to review income documentation carefully: unverifiable earnings claims could trigger a refusal and a five-year ban from the program. Ontario’s next Workforce Priority draw is expected later this month; stakeholders should watch whether the invitation cut-off climbs markedly as the high-earner bonus takes effect.
Source: IRCC.com
