The Canadian province of Ontario has officially opened applications for its new Workforce Priority Stream, providing eligible foreign workers with a fresh pathway to permanent residence through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).
The province announced that, effective August 4, 2026, eligible foreign nationals can now submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through Ontario’s e-Filing Portal, provided they have a qualifying job offer from an eligible Ontario employer.
Three Pathways Under New Programme
According to information released by the OINP and shared via Canada Visa’s X account, the Workforce Priority Stream comprises three categories designed to address labour shortages across different sectors.
The pathways include:
A stream for higher-skilled workers.
A stream for lower-skilled workers.
A dedicated stream for self-employed physicians registered to practise in Ontario and eligible to bill the province’s public health insurance plan, the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).
To qualify, applicants must submit an Expression of Interest linked to a valid job offer created by an eligible employer through the OINP Employer Portal.
Expression of Interest Now Open
Although the Workforce Priority Stream was introduced on June 26, 2026, applicants were unable to join the selection pool until the e-Filing Portal became operational this week.
Ontario said all active Expressions of Interest will be assessed under a points-based ranking system introduced on July 20, 2026. Invitations to apply for provincial nomination will be issued through periodic draws based on candidates’ scores.
“Once submitted, an Expression of Interest remains valid for up to 12 months,” the province said, noting that applicants who are not invited within that period will need to submit a new EOI to remain eligible.
Timelines for Applicants and Employers
Successful candidates who receive an invitation to apply will have 17 calendar days to submit a complete application.
Employers, meanwhile, must seek approval for the employment position within 14 calendar days of the candidate receiving an invitation.
Applicants nominated under the job-offer streams will receive a provincial support letter, enabling them to apply for a federal work permit while Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) processes their permanent residence application.
Faster Processing Through Express Entry
Ontario also stated that successful applicants under the Higher-Skilled Worker Stream and the Self-Employed Physician Stream may qualify for the Enhanced Provincial Nominee Program, which is linked to Canada’s Express Entry system.
Candidates nominated through this pathway could benefit from accelerated permanent residence processing at the federal level.
More Immigration Pathways Coming
The Workforce Priority Stream is the first programme introduced under Ontario’s comprehensive overhaul of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program after all previous immigration streams were closed on May 30, 2026.
The province said additional immigration pathways will be launched during the second phase of the programme’s modernisation, including a Priority Healthcare Worker Stream, an Entrepreneur Stream and an Exceptional Talent Stream.
The new initiatives are expected to strengthen Ontario’s ability to attract skilled workers, entrepreneurs and professionals needed to support the province’s growing economy.
