The Canadian province of Ontario has opened applications for its newly introduced Workforce Priority Stream, creating another pathway to permanent residence for eligible foreign workers 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.
According to information released by the OINP, the Workforce Priority Stream comprises three pathways designed to address different labour market needs. These include streams for higher-skilled workers, lower-skilled workers, and 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).
Ontario authorities explained that prospective applicants must first create an Expression of Interest linked to a qualifying job offer submitted by an eligible employer through the OINP Employer Portal before they can be considered for provincial nomination.
Although the Workforce Priority Stream was officially launched on June 26, 2026, candidates were unable to join the selection pool until the province activated the online application portal this week.
Under the new system, candidates with active Expressions of Interest will be assessed using 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.
The province noted that each Expression of Interest will remain valid for up to 12 months.
“Once submitted, an EOI remains valid for up to 12 months,” Ontario stated, adding that candidates who are not invited within that period must submit a new Expression of Interest to remain eligible for future draws.
Successful candidates invited to apply will have 17 calendar days to submit a complete application, while their employers must apply for approval of the employment position within 14 calendar days of the invitation.
Ontario also disclosed that successful applicants under the job-offer pathways will receive a provincial support letter, enabling them to apply for a federal work permit while their permanent residence application is being processed.
In addition, nominees under the Higher-Skilled Worker Stream and the Self-Employed Physician Stream may qualify for the Enhanced Provincial Nominee Program linked to Canada’s Express Entry system, potentially allowing them to benefit from faster processing of their permanent residence applications.
The Workforce Priority Stream is the first immigration pathway introduced under Ontario’s comprehensive overhaul of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program after the province closed all previous immigration streams on May 30, 2026.
The provincial government said additional immigration pathways—including a Priority Healthcare Worker Stream, an Entrepreneur Stream and an Exceptional Talent Stream—will be launched during the second phase of the OINP modernisation programme as Ontario seeks to address labour shortages and attract skilled professionals across key sectors of its economy.