Ontario OINP Increases Points for Candidates with Annual Earnings of $80,000 or More
Date Posted:October 9, 2026
Last Updated:October 9, 2026
On October 7, 2026, the Ontario government announced a change to the earnings history scoring factor in the Expression of Interest (EOI) system for the Ontario Workforce Priority (OWP) stream of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).
The change took effect on October 5.
Candidates who earned at least CAD $80,000 in any single year within the past five years can now receive 10 points, up from eight, under the “Canadian work experience: earnings history” scoring factor.
What Is the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream?
The Ontario Workforce Priority stream is a new immigration pathway designed to select candidates who can meet Ontario’s labour market needs and nominate them for permanent residence. EOI registration opened on August 4, 2026.
The stream includes pathways for candidates with job offers across all Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) categories, as well as a pathway for self-employed physicians. Applicants must meet the requirements of their respective pathway.
The EOI system allows prospective applicants to register their interest in applying. Candidates receive a score based on several factors and must receive an invitation from Ontario before submitting an application for provincial nomination. Those who obtain a nomination can then apply to the federal government for permanent residence.
Maximum Earnings History Points Increase from Eight to 10
Ontario has introduced a new scoring bracket for annual earnings of CAD $80,000 or more. Points for the other earnings brackets remain unchanged.
| Annual earnings (CAD) | Previous points | Updated points |
|---|---|---|
| $80,000 or more | 8 | 10 |
| $70,000–$79,999 | 8 | 8 |
| $50,000–$69,999 | 6 | 6 |
| $30,000–$49,999 | 4 | 4 |
| Less than $30,000 | 0 | 0 |
Eligible candidates can therefore receive two additional points under this factor, which may improve their position in the EOI selection process.
The Points Are Based on Past Earnings, Rather Than Current Salary
To receive 10 points, candidates must have earned at least CAD $80,000 in any single year within the past five years, as verified by a Notice of Assessment issued by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
Candidates do not need to have earned $80,000 or more in every year of that five-year period. However, a current salary or job offer with an annual salary of $80,000 or more does not, by itself, qualify a candidate for 10 points under this factor. The change applies specifically to the assessment of past annual earnings.
Existing EOIs Are Updated Automatically
According to the Ontario government, the change has been applied automatically to all existing EOIs in the system. Existing registrants do not need to change their profiles or log into the OINP e-Filing Portal to have their scores updated.
What This Means for Candidates Seeking Permanent Residence in Ontario
This change benefits candidates who meet the earnings history threshold. However, a higher EOI score does not guarantee an invitation to apply, provincial nomination, or permanent residence.
Candidates considering this pathway should review the eligibility requirements for their pathway, the applicable job offer and employer requirements, and the other EOI scoring factors.
At Shiraishi VisaJP Canada, we provide consultations on permanent residence options based on each client’s work experience, education, language skills, and immigration status in Canada.
This article is a summary prepared by Shiraishi Visa JP Canada based on official information from the Government of Canada, organized for clarity and ease of understanding.
Source: 2026 Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program Updates
Source: Ontario Workforce Priority stream
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Yuki Shiraishi
Born in Japan. After earning a Bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan, she worked for six years in New York as a marketing consultant at a major travel agency, while also studying in an MBA program at the City University of New York. After returning to Japan, she managed the visa center of the same travel company, handling various international visa applications for foreign clients.
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