Update (October 2026): On June 26, 2026, Ontario redesigned the OINP: the eight former streams described below were removed and replaced by the new Ontario Workforce Priority stream, and the Expression of Interest (EOI) system described here is closed to new EOI registrations. The information below is kept for historical reference. For the current process, see the official Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program page and the Ontario Workforce Priority stream page.
The Ontario EOI system, launched in 2021, accepted applications under the Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills stream until June 2026. The In-Demand Skills stream was part of the OINP (Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program). In March 2021, Ontario announced an Expression of Interest (EOI) system, and an online application portal was launched for it.
Which categories did the former Ontario EOI system cover?
Historically, the In-Demand Skills stream sat in the Employer Job Offer category of the OINP. It meant you had to have an employment offer from an employer/company in Ontario. Without a job offer or employment offer, you could not be eligible for this stream. You can read how to get employment offer from Ontario by clicking here.
The Employer Job Offer category also included two other, separate streams: Foreign Worker and International Student. The Foreign Worker stream allowed workers inside or outside Canada to apply, while the International Student stream was for applicants who had completed their education in Canada.
What status was granted?
Successful applicants received a provincial nomination from Ontario, which they could then use to apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence.
How to Apply in Ontario OINP?
Ontario’s expression of interest (EOI) was an online system where interested and eligible applicants registered along with the details of their qualifications. Each applicant could register one profile only. This was the first step of applying under Ontario’s former EOI system. Each profile remained in the pool for up to 12 months, after which it was deleted automatically. Candidates could also withdraw their profile during this period. There was no fee to register an EOI online.
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program used a score-based ranking system. The OINP allotted scores to each candidate’s profile based on qualifications (education, experience, language proficiency, etc.).
Candidates with highest scoring profiles will be selected for provincial nomination. Ontario immigration will require several documents to complete the process of nomination. Such candidates will get an invitation to apply which will allow them to apply for permanent residence of Canada. The application for permanent residence of Canada is submitted to Federal immigration of Canada.
OINP e-Filing Portal (historical):
Applicants submitted their expression of interest through the OINP e-Filing Portal, which served the former EOI system. The portal and the EOI system closed to new registrations on June 26, 2026. For the current process, see the official Ontario Workforce Priority stream page.
Ontario EOI Score Calculator System:
Ontario EOI Score Calculator uses a large number of factors to grant scores to each profile. Generally, the score is given based on the following factors:
- NOC TEER category of the job offer
- NOC broad occupational category
- Job offer wage
- The length of Experience in Canada
- Education
- location of job offer
- location of study
To read more about the points and score system, please click here.
The above information is kept for general historical reference only. For current information, visit the official website of Ontario Immigration.
