Canadian province of Ontario has opened applications for its new Workforce Priority Stream, providing eligible foreign workers with a new pathway to permanent residence through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).
Applications opened on Aug. 4, 2026, with eligible foreign nationals now able to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the province’s electronic filing portal, provided they have a qualifying job offer from an eligible Ontario employer.
The new immigration stream comprises three pathways, including options for higher-skilled workers, lower-skilled workers and self-employed physicians who are licensed to practise in Ontario and eligible to bill the province’s public health insurance plan.
Under the programme, applicants must submit an EOI linked to a valid job offer that has been entered into the OINP Employer Portal by an eligible employer.
Although the Workforce Priority Stream was introduced on June 26, 2026, candidates were only able to begin entering the selection pool after the online portal became operational this week.
Applicants will be assessed under a points-based ranking system introduced on July 20, 2026, with invitations to apply issued through periodic selection draws.
An Expression of Interest remains valid for up to 12 months. Candidates who do not receive an invitation within that period will be required to submit a new application.
Successful candidates invited to apply will have 17 calendar days to submit a complete application, while employers must seek approval for the employment position within 14 days of the invitation.
Applicants nominated under the job-offer stream will receive a provincial support letter, enabling them to apply for a federal work permit while their permanent residence applications are being processed.
Those applying through the higher-skilled worker or self-employed physician pathways may also qualify under the Enhanced Provincial Nominee Program linked to Express Entry, which could accelerate permanent residence processing.
The Workforce Priority Stream is the first immigration pathway introduced under Ontario’s restructuring of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program following the closure of all previous streams in May 2026.
The province also announced plans to introduce additional immigration pathways, including a Priority Healthcare Worker Stream, an Entrepreneur Stream and an Exceptional Talent Stream as part of the next phase of the programme.
