OINP Human Capital Priorities Stream (Closed): Express Entry Options

Human Capital Priorities was the largest of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program's (OINP) three Express Entry streams. It was an "enhanced" nomination stream, which means it worked inside the federal Express Entry system.

Ontario did not take applications directly. Instead, it searched the federal Express Entry pool for candidates who matched its needs and sent them a Notification of Interest (NOI) in their Express Entry account. Candidates had to qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker program or the Canadian Experience Class, and Ontario looked for people with higher education and strong English or French. Some rounds targeted specific jobs, such as tech or health occupations.

No job offer was needed. A provincial nomination in Express Entry adds 600 points to a candidate's Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, which almost always leads to an invitation to apply for permanent residence.

Because the stream is closed, its old criteria no longer apply to anyone applying today.

The Human Capital Priorities stream is closed. Ontario repealed it, along with the other legacy OINP streams, effective June 25, 2026, when it introduced the Ontario Workforce Priority stream. It does not accept new expressions of interest (EOIs) or applications, and it will not reopen under its old rules.

As of September 2026, the Ontario Workforce Priority stream is the only OINP stream taking new candidates. The full story is on our 2026 OINP overhaul page.

Ontario's updates page explains two rules for people caught in the change:

• You applied after an invitation: your application continues to be assessed against the rules that were in effect on the day you submitted it. You do not need to reapply.
• You only had an EOI (or your employer had registered a job offer) and no invitation: Ontario is withdrawing these automatically. Nothing carries over to the new stream. If you qualify for the Ontario Workforce Priority stream, you (and your employer, if you have a job offer) must start again in the new system.

If you were already nominated, the nomination is still valid for the time stated on it, and you apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence as usual. If your temporary status is running out while you wait, look at maintained status and your options to extend your status. If your situation is complex, talk to a lawyer or a licensed immigration consultant (RCIC) before acting.

The same logic applies to Notifications of Interest: if you received an NOI and submitted your OINP application before the change, it continues under the old rules. An NOI you did not act on does not carry over.

Yes, but only with a job offer. The Ontario Workforce Priority stream lets you choose to be nominated through Express Entry if either:

• you have a full-time, permanent job offer in a TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupation, or
• you apply as a self-employed physician.

You must meet the rules of a federal Express Entry program and keep a valid profile from the time you apply until you are nominated. Ontario says this may lead to faster federal processing.

• Raise your CRS score: retake a language test, add French, or get an educational credential assessment for every degree. Use the CRS calculator.
• Target category-based draws: see category-based draws for healthcare, trades, French, researchers and other groups.
• Get an Ontario job offer: then apply through the Ontario Workforce Priority stream.
• Look at other provinces: many still run Express Entry-linked streams. Compare them on our Provincial Nominee Program page and read Express Entry vs PNP.