ONTARIO UNVEILS NEW WORKFORCE PRIORITY STREAM: WHAT SKILLED WORKERS AND EMPLOYERS NEED TO KNOW
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has officially published the eligibility requirements for its new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream, the centrepiece of a major redesign that closed all eight of the province's previous OINP streams on June 26, 2026. For anyone with an Ontario job offer — or an employer looking to retain international talent — this is the framework that will govern provincial nomination in Ontario going forward.
What Changed
Effective June 26, 2026, Ontario eliminated its former lineup of employer-based, international student, and Express Entry-aligned streams (including Employer Job Offer, Masters/PhD Graduate, and the previously suspended Skilled Trades and Entrepreneur categories) and replaced them with a single, consolidated stream built around three pathways. The change came into force through an amendment to Ontario Regulation 422/17 under the Ontario Immigration Act, 2015.
Existing applications submitted before the closure will continue to be assessed under the old rules. However, no new Expressions of Interest are being accepted under the former streams, and unselected EOIs are being withdrawn as the province transitions fully to the new system.
The Three Pathways
1. TEER 0–3 Occupations (higher-skilled workers)
Covers management, professional, technical, and skilled trades roles. Applicants generally need a full-time, permanent Ontario job offer, a minimum of six to nine months of relevant work experience (depending on the specific route), a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 6 in all four skills (CLB 5 for select occupations), and at least a one-year post-secondary credential.
2. TEER 4–5 Occupations (essential workers)
Designed for occupations in intermediate and labour-based roles that are harder to fill through domestic recruitment alone. This pathway also requires a full-time, permanent job offer, with education and language requirements calibrated to the occupation — in some cases requiring only a Canadian secondary school diploma or equivalent.
3. Self-Employed Physicians
The only pathway that does not require a job offer. Eligible physicians must be in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) and OHIP-eligible.
Employer-Friendly Adjustments
Alongside the new pathways, Ontario introduced several changes aimed at businesses:
● Lower gross annual revenue thresholds for employers in rural and northern communities (census divisions with populations under 150,000)
● Faster compliance processing, including reduced response times for enforcement notices
● No re-registration required for employers already active in the Employer Portal — though new job offers must be submitted under the redesigned system
When Can You Apply?
The Expression of Interest (EOI) system for the Workforce Priority Stream is expected to reopen later this summer, though Ontario has not confirmed an exact date. A second phase of the OINP redesign — expected to introduce additional streams, including an Exceptional Talent and a Priority Healthcare stream — is anticipated later in 2026.
Getting Ready Now
Even with the EOI portal temporarily closed, there's real value in preparing:
● Confirm which of the three pathways matches your occupation and job offer
● Secure a qualifying Ontario job offer if you don't already have one
● Book language testing early — CLB requirements will determine which candidates are competitive once the portal reopens
● Have your education credential assessment ready to go
Let Us Help You Get Ahead of the Reopening
Do you have an Ontario job offer, or are you an employer trying to figure out which of the three new pathways applies to your hire? Ontario's redesign is one of the most significant provincial immigration changes of 2026, and candidates and employers who prepare now will be first in line once the Expression of Interest system reopens.
At Global Opportunities, we're closely monitoring the OINP rollout, including the still-pending EOI scoring criteria, and can help you confirm which pathway fits, get your job offer and language testing in order, and position your file to move the moment the portal reopens. Contact us today to start building your Workforce Priority Stream plan.
Sources: Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (Ontario.ca); Ontario Regulation 422/17 under the Ontario Immigration Act, 2015, as amended effective June 26, 2026.