Your OINP score may have gone up this week, without you logging in
If you have a profile in the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) Expression of Interest (EOI) pool, your score may have changed overnight.
On October 5, 2026, Ontario updated how it scores Canadian earnings history under the Ontario Workforce Priority stream. Candidates who earned $80,000 or more in a single year now receive 10 points for this factor, up from a previous maximum of 8. Ontario announced the change publicly on October 7.
The best part: if you qualify, you don’t have to do anything. Existing EOI profiles have already been updated automatically.
Here’s exactly what changed, who benefits, and what you should check next.
What changed: the new OINP earnings history points
Ontario added a new top bracket to the “Canadian work experience: earnings history” factor. Before October 5, the highest bracket was $70,000 or more, worth 8 points. Now there is a higher tier above it.
| Annual Canadian earnings (single year, CRA NOA) | Points before Oct 5, 2026 | Points from Oct 5, 2026 |
| $80,000 or more | 8 | 10 |
| $70,000 – $79,999 | 8 | 8 |
| $50,000 – $69,999 | 6 | 6 |
| $30,000 – $49,999 | 4 | 4 |
| Under $30,000 | 0 | 0 |
Only the top tier moved. If your best year was under $80,000, your points for this factor stay the same.
Three rules that decide whether you get the 10 points
- It must be one single year. Ontario looks at your earnings in one tax year, not a total across several years. Earning $45,000 in 2023 and $40,000 in 2024 does not add up to $80,000 for this factor.
- The year must fall within the past five years. Your qualifying year has to appear on a Notice of Assessment issued in the last five years.
- Your CRA Notice of Assessment is the proof. Points are based on the income shown on your Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Notice of Assessment (NOA). If you claim 10 points, you must be able to back it up with that document when you apply.
If you have never filed taxes in Canada, you won’t receive points for this factor.
Who benefits? Three quick examples
| Candidate | Best single year on NOA | Points before | Points now | Change |
| Priya, software developer | $92,000 (2025) | 8 | 10 | +2 |
| Daniel, electrician | $76,500 (2024) | 8 | 8 | No change |
| Aisha, healthcare aide | $41,000 + $39,000 over two years | 4 | 4 | No change (years can’t be combined) |
The people who gain are those whose highest single year on a CRA NOA is $80,000 or more. For them, the change is worth 2 extra points.
Why two points can matter
The Ontario Workforce Priority stream is now Ontario’s main route to provincial nomination. In 2026, Ontario closed its older OINP streams and replaced them with this single stream, which opened for Expressions of Interest on August 4, 2026. It is designed for skilled foreign workers with a qualifying Ontario job offer, along with eligible self-employed physicians.
Candidates in the EOI pool are ranked by points, and Ontario invites the highest-scoring profiles to apply. Earnings history is just one factor alongside job offer wage, Ontario work experience, occupation, work region, education and language ability.
Two extra points won’t guarantee an invitation. But when scores in a draw are close, they can be the difference between being invited and waiting for the next round.
What to do now
You don’t need to log in or edit your EOI for the new score to apply. Still, it’s worth a few minutes to check you’re getting full credit.
- Gather your CRA Notices of Assessment from the last five years.
- Find your highest single year of reported income.
- Check the earnings figure claimed in your EOI matches that NOA.
- If your best year is $80,000 or more, confirm your profile now reflects 10 points for this factor.
- Keep your NOA ready. You’ll need it as proof if you’re invited to apply.
- Review the rest of your profile, since other factors may offer bigger gains.
Claiming points you can’t prove can lead to a refused application. If you’re unsure which NOA to rely on, get advice before you’re invited.
Frequently asked questions
When did the OINP earnings points change take effect?
The change took effect on October 5, 2026, and Ontario announced it on October 7, 2026.
How many points do I get for earning $80,000?
If you earned $80,000 or more in a single year within the past five years, as shown on your CRA Notice of Assessment, you get 10 points for the earnings history factor.
Can I combine income from different years to reach $80,000?
No. The points are based on one single year of earnings, not a combined total.
Do I need to update my EOI profile?
No. Ontario has applied the change to existing EOIs automatically. You don’t need to log in or create a new profile.
Which stream does this apply to?
The Ontario Workforce Priority stream, through its Expression of Interest system.
Does a higher score guarantee an invitation?
No. Invitations depend on your full score, Ontario’s draw criteria and your eligibility for the stream. Extra points improve your ranking, but they don’t guarantee an invitation or permanent residence.
Not sure how your EOI scores? Talk to Earnest Immigration
Every point counts in a competitive pool. Earnest Immigration can review your Ontario Workforce Priority profile, check that each factor is claimed correctly, and spot where you could realistically gain points.
Book a consultation with Earnest Immigration or send us a message to get your OINP EOI score reviewed.
