The Biggest Change Yet
Ontario has just implemented the first phase of a significant redesign of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), effective June 26, 2026. The changes eliminate eight existing nomination streams from the program and introduce the new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream, which will serve as the primary pathway to nominate permanent residents through employer sponsorship. This is not a minor change. Over the past nearly twenty years, Ontario has operated eight different streams, each with its own rules. Now they are all consolidated into a single program.
What is the reason for this change? The Ontario Workforce Priority Stream allows employers in Ontario to nominate foreign workers for permanent residency. This stream supports the province's economic growth by attracting skilled workers who can fill labour gaps in key sectors. In other words, Ontario wants to select the workers the province actually needs, rather than letting applicants choose which stream they want to apply to.
Three Pathways, Three Types of Workers
The new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream comprises three pathways: one for workers in higher-skilled occupations (NOC TEER 0-3), one for workers in lower-skilled occupations (TEER 4-5), and one for self-employed physicians who meet eligibility requirements.
This means Ontario no longer distinguishes between "international graduates" or "experienced workers." Instead, all are considered based on the skill level of the job they are offered. If you have a job offer for a position in NOC TEER 0-3 (for example: engineer, data analyst, project manager), you will follow the first pathway. If your job is TEER 4-5 (for example: welder, part-time sales associate), you will follow the second pathway.
EOI Portal Opens August 4
On August 4, 2026, the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development opened the Expression of Interest (EOI) portal for the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream. Employers can now begin submitting job offers and eligible foreign workers can now begin submitting new EOIs under the redesigned program. This means if you have been waiting for Ontario to reopen, today is that day.
How does the process work? Applicants must receive an Invitation to Apply through Ontario's Expression of Interest system before submitting a nomination application. In other words, you cannot simply apply. You must be invited first.
Requirements for Workers
To be eligible, applicants must have a job offer from an Ontario employer, possess the necessary work experience and qualifications for the job, and meet English language proficiency requirements. They must also have a minimum level of education and sufficient funds to support themselves and their dependents in Canada.
The employer's job offer must be full-time, permanent, in Ontario, urgently needed for the business, not affecting a labour dispute, and meet the required wage level for the position.
Requirements for Employers
Not every company can apply. To be eligible as an employer, the business must have been operating in Ontario for at least three years, must have a physical workplace, and must not have any orders against it under Employment Standards or Health and Safety legislation. Revenue requirements vary by region: employers in the Greater Toronto Area need at least $1 million USD in revenue, employers in certain other designated areas such as Ottawa, Waterloo, Hamilton, and Niagara need at least $500,000 USD, and employers elsewhere in the province need at least $250,000 USD in revenue in their two most recent fiscal years.
Important Cautions
One important point: a qualified job offer alone is not enough. You need to be invited to apply through the EOI system. This means that even if you have a job offer, Ontario may still not invite you to apply if they do not need workers in your field or if there are too many other applicants with higher qualifications.
Additionally, if the applicant has already worked for the employer in the position being offered, they must continue to work in that role until they are nominated and throughout the period after nomination until permanent residency is granted or denied. In other words, you cannot change jobs during the processing period.