The OINP International Student Stream closed as part of the June 2026 OINP redesign. Ontario removed it — together with the Masters Graduate and PhD Graduate streams and all other former streams — when the Ontario Workforce Priority (OWP) stream launched. This page explains exactly what happened, what happens to applications and EOIs, and what pathways exist for international graduates in Ontario today.
TL;DR
– The International Student Stream (job-offer route), Masters Graduate stream and PhD Graduate stream all closed in June 2026.
– Applications submitted after an invitation continue to be assessed under the rules in effect at submission.
– EOIs that never led to an invitation were automatically withdrawn — nothing carries over.
– Graduates now reach PR through the OWP stream with an Ontario employer (recent-graduate experience rule: 3 months) or through federal programs such as the Canadian Experience Class after a PGWP.
– Masters/PhD draw history is preserved below for reference.
What happened to the International Student Stream?
Ontario’s 2026 OINP updates page lists the Employer Job Offer: International Student stream, the Masters Graduate stream and the PhD Graduate stream among the streams closed in the redesign. Regulatory amendments to O. Reg. 422/17 came into force June 25, 2026, and Ontario announced the change on June 26, 2026. The former stream pages on ontario.ca are archived.
What happens to applications and EOIs?
Your situation | What happens |
|---|---|
Application submitted after an invitation (before closure) | Assessed under the rules in effect when you submitted. No reapplication needed. |
EOI registered but never invited | Automatically withdrawn by Ontario; registrants were notified directly. Nothing carries to OWP. |
Employer had registered a job offer but no invitation | Same as above — the employer must submit a new job offer under OWP if you pursue that route. |
Pathways for international graduates in 2026
1. Ontario Workforce Priority stream (with an employer)
The OWP stream’s TEER 0–3 pathway has a recent Ontario graduate provision: if you graduated within the last 3 years from an eligible Ontario institution with a qualifying credential (2-year+ degree or diploma, Ontario College Graduate Certificate, Master’s, or PhD), you can meet the work-experience requirement with 3 months of full-time work in the job-offer position. A full-time, permanent job offer from an approved Ontario employer is required. See the OWP stream guide.
2. Federal programs after a PGWP
Many graduates work on a Post-Graduation Work Permit and qualify for federal pathways — most commonly the Canadian Experience Class within Express Entry — based on skilled Canadian work experience. Express Entry remains open to Ontario graduates; see Ontario PNP vs Express Entry.
3. Employer-led TEER 4–5 route
If your job offer is in a TEER 4–5 occupation, the OWP’s TEER 4–5 pathway may apply (9-month experience rule with that employer). See the In-Demand Skills successor page.
Historical draw context (for reference)
The Masters Graduate and PhD Graduate streams held no draws during 2025, ran final draws in March–April 2026, then closed. The former International Student stream’s last published invitations were in 2025 (e.g., targeted health-occupation draws in September–December 2025 under the former EOI system). Historical invitation tables remain on Ontario’s invitations page.
Frequently asked questions
Is the OINP International Student Stream still open?
No. It closed in the June 2026 OINP redesign and is not accepting EOIs or applications.
Can I still get PR as an international graduate in Ontario?
Yes — through the OWP stream with a qualifying Ontario employer (3-month recent-graduate experience rule for TEER 0–3 jobs) or through federal programs like the Canadian Experience Class. There is no longer a job-offer-free graduate nomination stream.
What happened to the Masters Graduate stream?
Closed in the same redesign. Masters graduates now use the same OWP or federal routes as other graduates; a master’s degree still counts in the OWP recent-graduate provision and in federal scoring.
What if my OINP application was already in the system?
Applications submitted after an invitation continue under the original rules. EOIs without invitations were withdrawn. See OINP draws & application status.
Related pages
- Ontario Workforce Priority stream
- OINP draws & application status
- Study permit service
- Ontario PNP hub
- All nine closed streams — archive
- Stranded EOIs & grandfathering
Official sources
- 2026 OINP updates — Redesign Phase 1, closed streams (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Ontario OINP main page (updated 2026-10-20)
- O. Reg. 422/17 — GENERAL
- OINP invitations to apply (historical tables)
- IRCC study and post-graduation programs: canada.ca study permit