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Ontario's Express Entry-aligned streams let the province nominate candidates directly from the federal pool - adding +600 CRS points and virtually guaranteeing a federal ITA. Here's everything you need to know about OINP Express Entry in 2026 from our licensed immigration consultants in Brampton.
Time-Critical: OINP Major Overhaul on May 30, 2026
The Human Capital Priorities, Masters Graduate, PhD Graduate, and French-Speaking Skilled Worker streams all lose their legal basis on May 30, 2026. If you qualify under any current Express Entry-aligned OINP stream today, the window to apply is narrowing fast. Book an urgent assessment →
OINP Express Entry-aligned streams don't require you to apply directly - Ontario searches the federal Express Entry pool and identifies candidates who meet their criteria. When Ontario wants you, they send a Notification of Interest (NOI) to your IRCC account.
Build your Express Entry profile
Must meet OINP minimum requirements for your target stream
Receive an NOI from Ontario
Ontario contacts you - you cannot apply directly to HCP
Submit OINP application in 45 days
Hard deadline - no extensions. $1,500 fee.
Get +600 CRS → federal ITA
Nomination added to your profile → ITA at next federal draw
Ontario's flagship Express Entry stream. Ontario searches the federal pool and sends NOIs to qualifying candidates. No job offer required - selection is based on your profile.
Targets candidates in skilled trades occupations. Often has lower CRS requirements than HCP. Ontario actively recruits electricians, welders, plumbers, HVAC technicians, and other tradespeople.
For French-speaking candidates in the Express Entry pool destined for Ontario. Among the lowest CRS cutoffs of any OINP stream - often 30–50 points below HCP.
Real scores from actual draws. Not estimates.
| Draw Date | Stream / Region | Min Score | ITAs Issued | Target NOCs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 25, 2026 | HCP - GTA | 61 | 431 | Tech, healthcare, finance |
| Mar 25, 2026 | HCP - SW Ontario | 53 | 251 | Tech, nursing, trades |
| Mar 25, 2026 | HCP - Northern Ontario | TBD | 57 | Healthcare, trades |
| Feb 2, 2026 | Healthcare (HCP) | 36 | 1649 | All healthcare NOCs |
| Feb 2, 2026 | Physician (HCP) | 36 | 129 | 31100, 31101, 31102 |
| Feb 2, 2026 | REDI - Regional HCP | 44 | 14 | 21231, 21222, 12200 |
Source: Official OINP draw announcements, 2026.
Your OINP EOI (Expression of Interest) score is not the same as your federal CRS score. Ontario calculates its own score based on: your job offer location (GTA vs regional), wage level, Ontario work experience, Ontario education, language level, and NOC TEER. A candidate with a CRS of 420 might have an OINP EOI score of 55 - or 70 - depending on these factors.
This is why a candidate who has been waiting in the federal Express Entry pool for 2+ years at CRS 430 might receive an Ontario nomination in 3 months through the right OINP stream.
Ontario searches the federal Express Entry pool and sends a Notification of Interest (NOI) to eligible candidates. You then have 45 days to submit an OINP application. If approved, Ontario nominates you and IRCC adds +600 CRS points to your Express Entry profile, virtually guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply at the next federal draw.
There is no fixed CRS minimum - Ontario sets its own draw cutoffs. In 2026, HCP draws have targeted candidates with CRS scores in the 400–480 range, well below the all-program federal draw cutoff of 490–530.
OINP Express Entry (Human Capital Priorities) typically takes 90–180 days from submission to nomination. After nomination, federal Express Entry processing takes approximately 6 months.
Yes. OINP's Skilled Trades stream targets TEER 2 and 3 trade occupations within the Express Entry pool - often with lower CRS requirements than the Human Capital Priorities stream.
Missing the deadline permanently cancels the NOI. You cannot request an extension. You must wait for a new NOI in a future draw - which is why preparing documents in advance is critical.
Our licensed immigration consultants in Brampton assess your OINP eligibility across all Express Entry-aligned streams - HCP, Skilled Trades, French-Language - and calculate your exact OINP EOI score before any fee is paid.