Ontario Launches New Workforce Priority Stream: What Employers and Foreign Workers Need to Know
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) officially launched the first phase of its long-awaited program redesign.
Effective June 26, 2026, Ontario has replaced eight existing immigration streams with a new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream, fundamentally changing how employers and foreign workers will access provincial nomination. Although the new program is now in effect, the new Expression of Interest (EOI) system is expected to reopen later this summer.
What has changed?
The province has eliminated the following streams:
• Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker
• Employer Job Offer: International Student
• Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills
• Master’s Graduate
• PhD Graduate
• Express Entry Human Capital Priorities
• Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker
• Express Entry Skilled Trades
These streams have been replaced by a single employer-focused stream known as the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream.
What happens to existing EOIs?
Ontario has confirmed that:
• The current EOI system is closed.
• No further Invitations to Apply (ITAs) will be issued under the previous streams.
• Existing EOIs and employer job offers that have not received an ITA will be automatically withdrawn.
• Applicants and employers will receive notification directly from the OINP.
Applicants whose applications were already submitted after receiving an Invitation to Apply will continue to be assessed under the previous program requirements.
What employers need to do
The Employer Portal will reopen later this summer.
Employers who already have an Employer Portal account do not need to register again. However, they will need to submit:
• A new Job Offer;
• A new Application for Approval of an Employment Position; and
• A new Expression of Interest (EOI) for each eligible employee.
Previous job offers and EOIs cannot be transferred into the new system.
New eligibility requirements for TEER 0–3 occupations
The new program introduces higher minimum eligibility requirements for most skilled occupations.
Applicants must generally have:
• A full-time, permanent job offer;
• One of the following work experience qualifications:
– 6 consecutive months with the employer in the offered position during the last 12 months;
– 3 consecutive months for recent Ontario graduates; or
– 2 years of cumulative experience in the occupation within the last 5 years;
• Language proficiency of CLB 6 (CLB 5 for certain occupations); and
• A post-secondary diploma or degree.
Licensed occupations may be exempt from the work experience requirement.
New eligibility requirements for TEER 4–5 occupations
Workers in TEER 4–5 occupations may also qualify under the new stream if they have:
• A full-time, permanent job offer;
• 9 months of work experience with the employer within the last 2 years;
• Language proficiency of CLB 4; and
• A Canadian secondary school diploma or equivalent.
Unlike the previous In-Demand Skills Stream, eligibility is no longer limited to a prescribed list of occupations.
Key differences from the previous OINP
Compared to the previous program, the new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream introduces several important changes:
• Eight immigration streams have been consolidated into one employer-driven stream.
• Language testing is now a standard requirement for most applicants.
• Minimum education requirements have been introduced or strengthened.
• Recent graduates generally need Canadian work experience before becoming eligible.
• TEER 4–5 occupations are now eligible under a broader pathway instead of a limited occupation list.
• Employers in rural communities benefit from reduced business revenue requirements.
Overall, the redesign simplifies the program structure while introducing more rigorous eligibility standards.
What should applicants do now?
Although the EOI system has not yet reopened, applicants should begin preparing now.
This includes:
• Confirming they meet the new work experience requirements.
• Completing an approved language test if required.
• Obtaining educational documents or an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA), if applicable.
• Reviewing their eligibility with an immigration professional before the new EOI system opens.
Preparing in advance will help ensure applications can be submitted promptly once Ontario begins accepting new EOIs.
