Ontario has introduced a new pathway for foreign workers seeking permanent residency through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). 

What’s Changing: 

On June 26, 2026, Ontario eliminated its previous streams in favor of a single new pathway: the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream.  

This new stream allows skilled foreign workers with a qualifying job offer in virtually any occupation classification to apply for permanent residency in Ontario, and it also accommodates self-employed physicians without a job offer. 

How the Process Works: 

1. The employer initiates the process through the OINP Employer Portal. 
2. The foreign worker registers a new Expression of Interest (EOI) under the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream once the EOI System reopens. 
3. Once invited to apply, the candidate must show they meet the program’s eligibility criteria and match the qualifications outlined in their Expression of Interest. 
4. The employer must separately obtain approval of the position (i.e. submit a new job offer) through the Employer Portal. 

Eligibility at a Glance: 

Work experience requirements vary by the position’s TEER (Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities) category: 

• Higher-skilled positions (TEER 0–3) generally require at least 6 months of recent, full-time experience in the role (3 months for recent Ontario graduates), or 2 years of related experience in the field within the past 5 years, or a required professional license. 

• Lower-skilled positions (TEER 4–5) require at least 9 months of relevant full-time experience gained within the past 2 years. 

Language proficiency is required for TEER 0–3 positions, with minimum scores needed across listening, reading, writing, and speaking on an approved test. Slightly lower thresholds apply for skilled trades. Recent graduates of eligible Ontario institutions with qualifying credentials may be exempt from language testing altogether. 

Education requirements also vary according to the TEER category, generally ranging from a high school diploma (for trades and lower-skilled roles) to a postsecondary credential of at least one year (for higher-skilled roles). Applicants with foreign education must submit a valid Educational Credential Assessment no more than 5 years old. 

Express Entry alignment: Candidates in TEER 0–3 roles, including self-employed physicians, may request nomination through IRCC’s Express Entry system, provided they meet federal eligibility and maintain an active Express Entry profile throughout the process. 

Employer Requirements: 

Employers aren’t just facilitators in this process — they must independently qualify. To sponsor a candidate, an employer generally must: 

• Have been actively operating for at least 3 years. 

• Maintain a business location in Ontario where the employee will work. 

• Have no outstanding orders under Ontario’s employment standards or occupational health and safety legislation. 

• Meet minimum revenue and Canadian/permanent-resident staffing thresholds tied to the job’s location. 

• Show sufficient recruitment effort to hire a Canadian citizen or permanent resident first, if the candidate is currently living outside Canada or working outside Ontario. 

The job offer itself must be full-time and permanent, tied to a genuine business need, unrelated to any labor dispute, and must meet a minimum wage threshold based on location. 

What This Means for Employers and Candidates: 

• The new OINP stream will be opened to a wider range of occupations and introduce meaningful employer eligibility hurdles and firm deadlines that weren’t as prominent under prior streams.  

• EOIs and job offers previously registered under the former streams that have not resulted in an invitation to apply (ITA) will be automatically withdrawn over the coming weeks. 

• Employers who support employees with permanent residence will need to reassess eligibility under the new stream and submit a new job offer for eligible employees once the system is live. 

We’re Here to Help: 

Our team is closely monitoring further guidance as it’s released and can help assess whether your organization’s roles or candidates qualify under the new Workforce Priority Stream. Reach out to our T&S Americas team to discuss your specific situation. 

 

This alert is provided for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Program details are subject to change; please confirm current requirements before proceeding with an application.