Ontario Launches New Ontario Workforce Priority Stream: What Skilled Workers and Employers Need to Know

Ontario has officially launched the Ontario Workforce Priority stream, the first new pathway under the redesigned Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program.

The changes took effect on June 26, 2026. Eight former OINP streams were closed to new applications, and Ontario introduced a new consolidated stream for workers with Ontario job offers and eligible self-employed physicians.

The new Expression of Interest system is expected to open later in the summer of 2026.

What Changed on June 26, 2026?

The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development amended Ontario Regulation 422/17 under the Ontario Immigration Act, 2015.

The amendments:

• Closed eight existing OINP streams to new applications.
• Introduced the Ontario Workforce Priority stream.
• Created pathways for job offers in all National Occupational Classification TEER categories.
• Introduced a pathway for eligible self-employed physicians without a job offer.
• Established new transition rules for existing applications, EOIs, employers, and representatives.

This is the first phase of a broader two-phase OINP redesign.

The Eight OINP Streams That Closed

The following streams were closed to new applications on June 26, 2026:

Applications already submitted after an invitation under a former stream will continue to be assessed under the eligibility rules that applied when the application was filed.

The New Ontario Workforce Priority Stream

The Ontario Workforce Priority stream includes pathways for workers in all TEER categories and a separate pathway for eligible self-employed physicians.

TEER 0–3 Pathway for Skilled Workers

This pathway is intended for skilled workers with a full-time, permanent job offer in Ontario in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation.

Applicants must generally satisfy one of the following work-experience options:

• Six consecutive months in the previous 12 months in the job-offer position with the job-offer employer.
• For certain recent Ontario graduates, three consecutive months in the previous 12 months in the job-offer position with the employer.
• Two years of cumulative experience in the previous five years in the same NOC occupation.
• Licensed applicants may be exempt from the work-experience requirement where the applicable rules permit.

Additional requirements generally include:

• A full-time and permanent Ontario job offer.
• Canadian Language Benchmark 6, or CLB 5 for certain occupations.
• A qualifying post-secondary degree or diploma.
• Employer registration and approval of the employment position.

Some occupations may be subject to alternate criteria. Candidates should review the applicable regulation before relying on a general summary.

TEER 4–5 Pathway for Essential Workers

This pathway is intended for workers with a full-time, permanent Ontario job offer in a TEER 4 or 5 occupation.

General eligibility requirements include:

• Nine months of cumulative work experience in the previous two years in the job-offer position with the job-offer employer.
• Canadian Language Benchmark 4.
• A Canadian secondary school diploma or equivalent.
• Employer registration and approval of the employment position.

The new pathway broadens access for lower-TEER workers beyond the former In-Demand Skills structure.

Self-Employed Physician Pathway

This is the only pathway under the new stream that does not require a job offer.

An eligible physician must generally:

• Be a member in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.
• Hold a valid certificate of registration in an eligible class, such as independent, academic, or provisional.
• Be eligible to bill through the Ontario Health Insurance Plan.

Physicians should confirm the exact registration class and billing requirements before applying.

Rural Community Employers

Lower gross annual revenue requirements apply to eligible employers located in rural communities.

For program purposes, a rural community is generally located in a census division with a population of fewer than 150,000 people.

What Happens to Existing EOI Profiles?

The former Expression of Interest system is closed to new registrations.

No further invitations will be issued under the eight closed streams.

EOIs and job offers registered under the former streams that did not result in an invitation to apply will be automatically withdrawn while Ontario updates the EOI and application systems.

Affected candidates, employers, and representatives are expected to receive direct notice.

What Employers Need to Do

Employers already registered in the OINP employer portal do not need to register again solely because of the program redesign.

However, after the Employer Portal reopens, the employer will generally need to:

1. Submit a new job offer.
2. Submit a new application for approval of the employment position.
3. Complete the employer-side steps required to initiate the candidate’s new EOI.

Employers should also confirm that they continue to meet the applicable business, revenue, employee, and workplace requirements.

Program Integrity Changes

The regulatory amendments also changed certain compliance and enforcement procedures.

The response period for a Notice of Intent to Issue an Administrative Monetary Penalty or Ban order was reduced from 60 days to 30 days.

Ontario may also deliver notices of contravention by email, mail, or in person, with the regulation providing rules for when a notice is considered delivered.

These changes apply to OINP compliance and enforcement procedures generally. They are not limited to employer-registration issues.

Ontario’s 2026 Nomination Allocation

Ontario received a confirmed allocation of 14,119 provincial nominations for 2026.

The province issued nominations under the former streams earlier in the year. The remaining 2026 allocation is expected to be used through the Ontario Workforce Priority stream after the updated EOI platform opens.

Phase 2 of the OINP Redesign

The Ontario Workforce Priority stream is the first phase of the redesign.

Ontario has indicated that Phase 2 is expected to introduce additional streams aligned with provincial labour-market priorities.

Based on the December 2025 stakeholder consultation, proposed pathways may include:

• A Priority Healthcare stream.
• An Exceptional Talent stream.
• A redesigned Entrepreneur stream.

These remain proposed pathways. Ontario has not yet confirmed launch dates, full eligibility requirements, or implementation details.

Candidates should not make immigration decisions based on proposed Phase 2 pathways until Ontario publishes final requirements.

What to Do Based on Your Situation

If You Submitted an Application Under a Former Stream

Your application will continue to be assessed under the rules that applied when it was submitted.

You do not need to submit a new application under the Ontario Workforce Priority stream unless Ontario specifically instructs you to do so.

Continue monitoring your OINP account and respond promptly to any document request or procedural notice.

If You Had an EOI but Did Not Receive an Invitation

Your former EOI will be withdrawn as part of the transition.

Review the new stream requirements now so you can prepare a new profile after the platform reopens.

If your application depends on an Ontario employer, confirm that the employer understands the new job-offer and employment-position approval steps.

If You Are a TEER 0–3 Skilled Worker

Confirm:

• Your NOC code and TEER level.
• That your Ontario job offer is full-time and permanent.
• Which work-experience option applies to you.
• Your language-test results.
• Your education documents.
• Your employer’s eligibility and portal registration.

Our Ontario PNP services can help review your eligibility and NOC classification before the new EOI system opens.

If You Are a TEER 4–5 Essential Worker

Confirm that:

• Your job offer is full-time and permanent.
• Your occupation falls within TEER 4 or 5.
• You have the required nine months of cumulative experience with the job-offer employer.
• You meet the CLB 4 language requirement.
• You have the required secondary-school credential or equivalent.

If You Are a Physician

The self-employed physician pathway may allow an eligible physician to seek a provincial nomination without a job offer.

Confirm your:

• CPSO membership status.
• Registration class.
• OHIP billing eligibility.
• Compliance with all other provincial nomination requirements.

If You Are an International Graduate

The former Master’s Graduate and PhD Graduate streams are closed.

Under the current Phase 1 structure, international graduates will generally need a qualifying full-time, permanent job offer to access the Ontario Workforce Priority stream.

Candidates without a qualifying job offer may also consider federal options such as the Canadian Experience Class, depending on their work experience and Express Entry eligibility.

Our Express Entry strategy services can help compare provincial and federal options.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many former OINP streams were closed?

Eight streams were closed on June 26, 2026: the three Employer Job Offer streams, the Master’s Graduate and PhD Graduate streams, and the three Express Entry-aligned streams.

Do I need a job offer for the Ontario Workforce Priority stream?

A full-time, permanent Ontario job offer is required for the TEER 0–3 and TEER 4–5 pathways. The self-employed physician pathway does not require a job offer but has separate CPSO registration and OHIP billing requirements.

What happens to my old EOI profile?

If your EOI under a former stream did not result in an invitation to apply, it will be withdrawn during the transition. You will need to create a new EOI after the updated system opens.

When will the new EOI system open?

Ontario has stated that the Ontario Workforce Priority EOI system is anticipated to open later in the summer of 2026. A specific opening date has not yet been announced.

What are the language requirements?

The TEER 0–3 pathway generally requires CLB 6, with CLB 5 accepted for certain occupations. The TEER 4–5 pathway generally requires CLB 4. Candidates should confirm the exact requirement for their occupation.

Is the Entrepreneur stream still available?

The former Entrepreneur stream was not one of the eight streams closed through the June 26 amendments. A redesigned Entrepreneur stream has been discussed as part of Phase 2, but Ontario has not confirmed final eligibility requirements or a launch date.