What was the OINP Human Capital Priorities stream and what replaced it?

The OINP Human Capital Priorities (HCP) stream was an Express Entry-linked stream where Ontario searched the federal Express Entry pool and sent Notifications of Interest (NOIs) to candidates whose profiles matched Ontario's criteria; it closed to new applications on May 30, 2026 and has been replaced by the Ontario Workforce Priority stream's Express Entry-linked pathway. You cannot apply directly to this stream — Ontario comes to you.

To be eligible you had to have an active Express Entry profile under the Federal Skilled Worker Program or Canadian Experience Class, meeting OINP's minimum thresholds at the time Ontario searched the pool. Ontario targeted candidates on CRS score, work experience, education, language ability, and sometimes specific in-demand occupations. The Workforce Priority stream's Express Entry-linked pathway works on the same broad principle, but confirm its current criteria.

Receiving an NOI did not mean you had been nominated. It meant Ontario was inviting you to apply to OINP, after which you had a limited window to submit a complete application with supporting documentation. If OINP approves your application, you receive a nomination certificate, which adds 600 CRS points to your Express Entry profile and leads to an ITA from IRCC.

The minimum CRS score Ontario targeted varied over time and was never publicly guaranteed. A higher CRS score and a stronger profile improved the chance of an NOI, but selection was always at Ontario's discretion — as it remains under the Workforce Priority stream.