Ontario has taken a significant step in reshaping its provincial immigration system with the introduction of a new employer-focused permanent residence program. Effective June 26, 2026, the province has officially launched the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream, a redesigned immigration model that introduces three separate pathways for workers while replacing several previous employer-based options under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).
Although the regulatory framework is now in place, interested applicants cannot yet submit profiles. Ontario has confirmed that registrations will begin only after its upgraded Expression of Interest (EOI) system reopens later in the summer of 2026.
Also Read Ontario Unveils Three New Permanent Residence Pathways
Ontario Begins a New Chapter for Provincial Immigration
The launch marks the first phase of a broader modernization plan for Ontario’s immigration system. Earlier in 2026, the province suspended several existing permanent residence streams to prepare for a new structure that better aligns immigration selection with labour market demands.
The newly introduced Workforce Priority Stream places employers at the centre of the selection process while creating specialized pathways for different categories of workers. Provincial officials have also indicated that additional immigration streams will be introduced as future phases of the reform.
Highlights of the New Workforce Priority Stream
| Category | Details |
| Launch Date | June 26, 2026 |
| Program | Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) |
| New Stream | Ontario Workforce Priority Stream |
| Available Pathways | TEER 0–3, TEER 4–5, Self-Employed Physicians |
| EOI Registration | Expected to reopen in Summer 2026 |
| Application Intake | Begins after the new EOI system launches |
Three Immigration Pathways Introduced
The Workforce Priority Stream has been divided into three categories to support different workforce needs across Ontario.
TEER 0–3 Pathway
This stream is designed for individuals employed in higher-skilled occupations, including managerial positions, professional careers, technical occupations and skilled trades. Applicants must receive a permanent, full-time job offer from an eligible Ontario employer before becoming eligible.
TEER 4–5 Pathway
Ontario has also introduced a dedicated route for essential workers employed in occupations that generally require secondary school education, on-the-job training or practical work experience. This pathway aims to support industries experiencing ongoing labour shortages.
Self-Employed Physicians Pathway
For the first time, Ontario has established a permanent residence pathway specifically for physicians who practise independently and provide publicly funded healthcare services within the province.
Each stream has its own eligibility requirements based on occupation, education, work experience and licensing.
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Eligibility Requirements for Skilled Occupations
Individuals applying through the TEER 0–3 pathway must first secure an eligible permanent job offer from an Ontario employer. Eligible occupations fall within TEER categories 0, 1, 2 or 3.
Applicants are generally required to demonstrate one of the following:
- English or French language proficiency at CLB 6, or CLB 5 for certain occupations.
- Graduation from an eligible Ontario post-secondary institution.
- Required occupational licensing where applicable.
- Educational qualifications that meet Ontario standards or foreign credentials supported by an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
Two Ways to Qualify Through Work Experience
Ontario offers flexibility by allowing candidates to meet work experience requirements through one of two methods.
Occupational Experience
Applicants can qualify by accumulating the equivalent of two years of full-time work experience during the previous five years in the same occupation or an approved closely related occupation. Eligible part-time employment may also count toward this requirement.
Employer-Based Experience
Workers already employed by the company offering the permanent position may instead qualify through continuous employment with that employer.
The required experience includes:
- Six consecutive months of full-time work, or
- Three consecutive months for eligible graduates from Ontario institutions.
Full-time employment is defined as a minimum of 30 hours per week.
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Ontario Graduates Receive Additional Benefits
Recent graduates from eligible Ontario colleges and universities may qualify under more flexible criteria.
Eligible credentials include:
- Two-year diploma programs
- Degree programs
- Graduate certificates
- Master’s degrees
- Doctoral degrees
Graduates who completed their studies within the past three years may qualify with shorter employment histories and, in some situations, lower wage requirements.
Certain Occupations Benefit from Relaxed Education Requirements
Recognizing workforce shortages in several industries, Ontario has introduced educational exemptions for selected occupations.
Examples include positions in:
- Skilled construction trades
- Transportation
- Manufacturing
- Natural resources
- Culinary occupations such as cooks, bakers, chefs and butchers
- Nurse aides and patient service associates
In many of these occupations, applicants may qualify with secondary school education or specific Ontario college certificates. Some occupations also require only CLB 5 language proficiency.
Related Work Experience Can Also Be Accepted
Ontario’s updated rules allow experience in closely connected occupations to satisfy eligibility requirements in some cases.
Examples include:
- Pharmacists applying for pharmacy assistant positions.
- Registered nurses and licensed practical nurses seeking nurse aide roles.
- Professional engineers applying for engineering technician occupations.
Applicants must still meet all licensing requirements applicable to their intended occupation.
Dedicated Pathway for Essential Workers
The TEER 4–5 pathway provides a permanent residence option for individuals working in essential occupations requiring secondary education or workplace training.
Applicants must generally demonstrate:
- A permanent full-time job offer.
- Employment in an eligible TEER 4 or TEER 5 occupation.
- Wages that meet Ontario’s regional median wage requirements.
- Nine months of work experience with the same employer within the previous two years.
- Secondary school education or its equivalent.
- Minimum language proficiency of CLB 4.
New Route Created for Self-Employed Physicians
Ontario has also introduced a specialized pathway for independently practising physicians.
Eligible doctors must:
- Hold registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.
- Remain in good professional standing.
- Possess independent, provisional or academic registration.
- Be eligible to bill the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).
The province expects this pathway to help strengthen long-term healthcare delivery.
Employer Eligibility Requirements
Only employers meeting provincial standards will be permitted to participate in the Workforce Priority Stream.
Businesses must:
- Operate within Ontario.
- Have been in business for at least three years.
- Meet minimum annual revenue requirements.
- Employ a specified number of Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
- Comply with provincial employment laws.
Minimum Revenue Requirements
| Business Location | Minimum Annual Revenue |
| Greater Toronto Area | $1 million |
| Major Census Metropolitan Areas | $500,000 |
| Outside GTA and Major CMAs | $250,000 in each of the previous two fiscal years |
Minimum Canadian or Permanent Resident Employees
| Business Location | Required Full-Time Employees |
| Greater Toronto Area | 5 |
| Outside GTA | 3 |
Major Census Metropolitan Areas include Ottawa, Hamilton, Waterloo, Niagara, Windsor-Essex, Wellington, Greater Sudbury, Frontenac, Brant, Peterborough, Hastings and Thunder Bay.
Rules for Eligible Job Offers
To support an immigration application, employers must provide a job offer that satisfies Ontario’s conditions.
The offer must:
- Be permanent and full-time.
- Not be based on a temporary contract.
- Address a genuine labour market need.
- Be primarily located in Ontario unless exempt.
- Meet regional wage standards.
- Match or exceed the worker’s current salary where applicable.
In some cases, employers may also need to demonstrate efforts to recruit Canadian citizens or permanent residents before hiring foreign workers.
Applicants and their immediate family members generally cannot own more than 10% of the employer’s business unless ownership resulted from employee compensation arrangements.
Special Provisions for Transportation Workers
Ontario has created separate provisions for certain transportation occupations.
Truck drivers and public transit operators may qualify if:
- They work under NOC 73300 or NOC 73301.
- Their employer holds a valid Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration (CVOR).
- The employer maintains an Excellent or Satisfactory provincial safety rating.
Updated Expression of Interest System
Once Ontario reopens its redesigned EOI platform, applicants will follow a new application process:
- The employer submits an eligible job through the Employer Portal.
- The worker registers an Expression of Interest.
- Ontario conducts candidate selection.
- Selected candidates receive an Invitation to Apply.
- Applicants submit their nomination application.
- Successful candidates receive a provincial nomination.
Existing Employer Portal registrations will remain valid, meaning employers will not be required to create new accounts.
Additional Immigration Streams Planned
Ontario has confirmed that the Workforce Priority Stream is only the beginning of its immigration reforms.
Future streams are expected to include:
- Priority Healthcare Stream for healthcare professionals and individuals working toward professional licensing without requiring a job offer.
- Entrepreneur Stream for business owners launching or expanding businesses in Ontario.
- Exceptional Talent Stream for internationally recognized professionals in science, technology, research, arts, culture and literature.
The province has not yet announced implementation dates for these programs.
Permanent Residence Process After Nomination
Candidates nominated through Ontario will still need to apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence.
The process generally includes:
- Meeting the eligibility requirements of an OINP stream.
- Registering an Expression of Interest.
- Receiving an Invitation to Apply.
- Obtaining a provincial nomination.
- Submitting a permanent residence application to IRCC.
- Receiving Confirmation of Permanent Residence.
- Completing the landing process in Canada.
Depending on the stream, applicants may proceed through either an Express Entry-linked pathway or a base provincial nomination process.
Understanding Canada’s TEER Occupation Categories
Ontario continues to assess occupations using Canada’s National Occupation Classification (NOC) system.
| TEER Level | Description |
| TEER 0 | Management occupations |
| TEER 1 | Occupations typically requiring a university degree |
| TEER 2 | Jobs requiring college education or long apprenticeships |
| TEER 3 | Occupations requiring shorter apprenticeships, diplomas or extensive training |
| TEER 4 | Occupations generally requiring secondary school and job-specific training |
| TEER 5 | Positions involving short-term workplace instruction |
Conclusion
Ontario’s introduction of the Workforce Priority Stream represents one of the province’s most significant immigration reforms in recent years. By creating separate pathways for skilled professionals, essential workers and self-employed physicians, the province is aligning its immigration strategy more closely with current labour market needs. While applicants must wait for the updated Expression of Interest system to reopen later this summer, the new framework provides a clearer and more targeted route to provincial nomination and, ultimately, Canadian permanent residence.
