Ontario's Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has updated its Workforce Priority Stream eligibility and scoring information, confirming an important change to the Canadian earnings-history scoring system.

The updated scoring page, verified on October 20, 2026, now reflects the October earnings-history amendment and resolves the discrepancy that previously existed between the announcement and the older scoring table.

For candidates considering Ontario's immigration pathways, the update is particularly important because Canadian earnings can contribute points toward an Expression of Interest (EOI) score.

Under the updated scoring system, candidates with annual Canadian earnings of $80,000 or more can receive 10 EOI points for this factor.

The revised scoring also confirms that existing EOIs were automatically updated following the October 5 amendment.

This means candidates do not need to resubmit an existing EOI solely to receive the revised earnings points.

What Is the OINP Workforce Priority Stream?

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program is Ontario's provincial immigration program.

Through its various streams, Ontario can nominate eligible candidates for permanent residence in Canada.

The Workforce Priority Stream uses an Expression of Interest system to assess eligible candidates based on different factors.

An EOI score can help determine how candidates are ranked for potential invitations.

Because provincial immigration programs can update their requirements and scoring systems, candidates should pay close attention to official OINP information when assessing their eligibility.

The $80,000 Canadian Earnings Threshold

The major point from the updated scoring page is the confirmed earnings threshold.

Candidates with:

$80,000 or more in annual Canadian earnings

can receive:

10 EOI points

This is the highest score available under the Canadian earnings-history factor described in the updated table.

The revised scoring structure creates a graduated system, meaning candidates can receive different numbers of points depending on their verified annual Canadian earnings.

Updated Canadian Earnings Scoring Table

The current scoring is:

Annual Canadian Earnings	EOI Points
$80,000 or more	10 points
$70,000–$79,999	8 points
$50,000–$69,999	6 points
$30,000–$49,999	4 points
Below $30,000	0 points

This means that the difference between earnings levels can directly affect the candidate's EOI score under this factor.

For example, a candidate with verified annual Canadian earnings of $80,000 or more would receive 10 points, while someone with earnings between $70,000 and $79,999 would receive 8 points.

How Must Canadian Earnings Be Proven?

Candidates cannot simply report an earnings amount without supporting evidence.

The updated scoring information specifies that earnings must be demonstrated through a:

CRA Notice of Assessment

The qualifying earnings must relate to a qualifying year within the:

Preceding five years

This makes the CRA Notice of Assessment an important document for candidates relying on Canadian earnings-history points.

Applicants should ensure that the information they provide is consistent with their official Canadian tax records.

What Is a CRA Notice of Assessment?

A CRA Notice of Assessment is an official document issued by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) after a tax return is assessed.

It provides information about the individual's tax assessment and reported income.

For the OINP earnings-history factor, the Notice of Assessment provides evidence that can be used to demonstrate qualifying Canadian earnings.

Candidates should carefully review their tax documentation before claiming earnings-related points.

Existing EOIs Were Automatically Updated

Another important part of the October update concerns candidates who already had an Expression of Interest.

The October 5 amendment was applied automatically to existing EOIs.

Therefore:

No resubmission is required solely to obtain the revised earnings points.

This is useful for candidates who already submitted an EOI before the scoring update.

They do not need to create and submit a new EOI simply because the earnings-history scoring has changed.

However, candidates should still ensure that their EOI information remains accurate and that they comply with any other applicable OINP requirements.

Why the Automatic Update Matters

An automatic update reduces the administrative burden on candidates.

Without an automatic update, candidates might have needed to withdraw and resubmit their EOI simply to have the revised scoring reflected.

Instead, the October 5 amendment was applied to existing EOIs.

Candidates should therefore review their EOI information and understand how the updated score affects their overall profile.

Toronto Receives Zero Regionalization Points

The updated scoring page also confirms an important regionalization distinction.

Employment in:

Toronto = 0 regionalization points

This is important because candidates may assume that employment anywhere in the Greater Toronto Area automatically provides regionalization points.

That is not the case under the scoring information provided.

Employment Elsewhere in the GTA

Employment elsewhere in the Greater Toronto Area receives:

5 regionalization points

Therefore, the location of employment can make a difference to a candidate's EOI score.

Candidates should carefully identify where their qualifying employment is located rather than assuming that all GTA locations receive the same score.

Higher Regionalization Points in Other Ontario Regions

The scoring system also provides higher regionalization points for employment in other Ontario regions.

This reflects the broader objective of encouraging immigration and economic participation beyond Toronto.

For candidates considering where to work in Ontario, regionalization can therefore be an important part of an overall immigration strategy.

However, immigration decisions should not be based solely on points.

Candidates should also consider employment opportunities, wages, living costs, job stability and whether they meet the eligibility requirements of the applicable immigration stream.

Why the Regionalization Factor Matters

Ontario is one of Canada's largest and most economically diverse provinces.

Toronto is a major employment centre, but the province also has many communities outside Toronto that are seeking skilled workers.

Regionalization scoring can therefore influence how candidates are ranked within an EOI system.

A candidate with qualifying employment outside Toronto may receive regionalization points that a Toronto-based candidate does not receive.

This can potentially create a meaningful difference in an EOI score.

Canadian Earnings and Regionalization Are Different Factors

Candidates should not confuse earnings points with regionalization points.

They measure different aspects of an EOI profile.

Earnings factor

Based on qualifying annual Canadian earnings and supported by a CRA Notice of Assessment.

Regionalization factor

Based on the location of qualifying employment in Ontario.

A candidate's overall EOI score may therefore depend on several different factors rather than earnings alone.

Example: How the Earnings Score Works

Consider a candidate who has verified annual Canadian earnings of $82,000 in a qualifying year within the previous five years.

Under the updated earnings-history table, the candidate would receive:

10 EOI points

Now consider another candidate with verified annual earnings of $75,000.

That candidate would receive:

8 EOI points

A third candidate with annual earnings of $55,000 would receive:

6 EOI points

These examples show how the scoring increases at different earnings thresholds.

Why Candidates Should Keep Their Tax Records

For candidates relying on Canadian earnings-history points, official tax documentation is important.

A CRA Notice of Assessment can provide the evidence required to demonstrate qualifying earnings.

Candidates should therefore maintain organized records of their Canadian tax documents.

When reviewing an EOI, it is important that the claimed earnings can be supported by the appropriate documentation.

What Does This Update Mean for Existing OINP Candidates?

For candidates who already have an EOI, the key message is straightforward:

You do not need to resubmit solely because of the revised earnings scoring.

The October 5 amendment was applied automatically to existing EOIs.

Candidates can instead focus on ensuring that their profile information remains accurate and that they continue to meet the requirements applicable to their stream.

If other information in an EOI changes, candidates should follow OINP instructions regarding when and how the information should be updated.

What Should New Candidates Consider?

Candidates considering an Ontario EOI should review the current scoring system before submitting their profile.

In particular, they should understand:

• Their qualifying Canadian earnings

• The available earnings points

• Whether they can document their earnings through a CRA Notice of Assessment

• The location of their qualifying employment

• Regionalization points

• Other applicable EOI scoring factors

• The eligibility requirements of the specific OINP stream

A strong understanding of the scoring system can help candidates avoid mistakes when preparing their profile.

Does Earning $80,000 Guarantee an OINP Invitation?

No.

Receiving 10 points for qualifying earnings does not guarantee an invitation.

The earnings factor is only one component of the overall EOI scoring system.

Candidates must still meet the applicable eligibility requirements and may need to achieve a competitive overall score depending on the specific invitation round.

Provincial nomination programs can also change their priorities, available spaces and invitation criteria.

Therefore, candidates should not interpret the $80,000 threshold as an automatic pathway to nomination.

Does Working in Toronto Make a Candidate Ineligible?

No.

The fact that Toronto receives zero regionalization points does not mean that candidates working in Toronto cannot qualify.

It simply means that they do not receive points under the applicable regionalization factor for Toronto employment.

Candidates may still receive points through other factors and may qualify if they meet all applicable requirements.

Is Employment Outside Toronto Better for Immigration?

There is no universal answer.

Employment outside Toronto may provide additional regionalization points under the scoring system.

However, candidates should consider their entire immigration profile.

Factors such as occupation, employer, earnings, work experience, education, language ability and other applicable requirements can also matter.

The best location depends on an individual's circumstances and the specific OINP pathway.

What Does the Update Mean for Ontario Immigration Planning?

The updated scoring page provides greater clarity for candidates evaluating their OINP options.

The key earnings thresholds are now clearly reflected:

$80,000+ → 10 points

$70,000–$79,999 → 8 points

$50,000–$69,999 → 6 points

$30,000–$49,999 → 4 points

Below $30,000 → 0 points

At the same time, regionalization remains an important factor, with Toronto receiving zero points, elsewhere in the GTA receiving five points and higher points available in other Ontario regions.

Candidates should therefore look at their complete profile rather than focusing on a single scoring factor.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the new OINP earnings threshold for 10 points?

Under the updated Workforce Priority scoring page, candidates with $80,000 or more in annual Canadian earnings can receive 10 EOI points under the Canadian earnings-history factor.

How many points are available for earnings of $70,000–$79,999?

The updated scoring gives 8 EOI points for annual Canadian earnings between $70,000 and $79,999.

What if my Canadian earnings are between $50,000 and $69,999?

The current scoring provides 6 EOI points for this earnings range.

How are earnings verified?

Earnings must be demonstrated through a CRA Notice of Assessment for a qualifying year within the preceding five years.

Do existing EOIs need to be resubmitted?

No. The October 5 amendment was applied automatically to existing EOIs.

Candidates do not need to resubmit an EOI solely to obtain the revised earnings points.

How many regionalization points does Toronto receive?

Toronto employment receives 0 regionalization points under the current scoring.

Does employment elsewhere in the GTA receive regionalization points?

Yes. The current scoring page confirms 5 points for employment elsewhere in the Greater Toronto Area.

Are higher regionalization points available outside the GTA?

Yes. Higher regionalization points are available for employment in other Ontario regions under the current scoring structure.

Does earning $80,000 guarantee an OINP nomination?

No. The 10 earnings points are only one part of the EOI scoring system and do not guarantee an invitation or nomination.

Final Takeaway

Ontario has updated its Workforce Priority Stream scoring information, and the revised page now clearly reflects the $80,000 Canadian earnings threshold.

The current earnings-history scoring is:

Canadian Annual Earnings	EOI Points
$80,000+	10
$70,000–$79,999	8
$50,000–$69,999	6
$30,000–$49,999	4
Below $30,000	0

Earnings must be supported through a CRA Notice of Assessment for a qualifying year within the preceding five years.

For existing EOIs, the October 5 amendment was applied automatically, meaning candidates do not need to resubmit solely to receive the revised earnings points.

Regionalization is another important factor. Toronto employment receives 0 points, employment elsewhere in the GTA receives 5 points, and other Ontario regions can provide higher regionalization points.

The update gives candidates a clearer picture of how Canadian earnings and employment location can affect their OINP EOI score.

However, scoring points alone do not guarantee an invitation or nomination. Candidates should assess their full profile and make sure all information is accurate and supported by appropriate documentation.

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