Ontario immigration program update
Ontario Workforce Priority Stream Replaces Previous OINP Streams
Ontario's Workforce Priority stream is now the province's active OINP pathway, covering eligible workers with job offers in all NOC TEER categories and qualifying self-employed physicians.
What was announced
Ontario opened the Expression of Interest portal for its new Ontario Workforce Priority stream on August 4, 2026. The province's current OINP page identifies this as the active stream and states that the previous streams are closed. The new stream covers eligible skilled foreign workers with qualifying full-time, permanent job offers in every NOC TEER category and eligible self-employed physicians who do not have a job offer.
For a job-offer application, the Ontario employer begins the process through the Employer Portal and submits the job-offer information. The worker then registers an Expression of Interest. If selected, the worker must prove every scoring factor claimed and meet the applicable work experience or licensing, language, education, legal-status and Ontario-intention requirements. The employer must also obtain approval of the employment position.
Requirements vary by the job offer's TEER category. For TEER 0 to 3 positions, qualifying options can include recent consecutive work in the offered position, two years of relevant experience within the previous five years, or the mandatory licence or authorization required for the role. TEER 4 and 5 job offers generally require nine months of paid experience in the offered position within the previous two years. Self-employed physicians may apply without a job offer but must meet the separate physician requirements, including registration in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario and an OHIP billing number.
Ontario's redesign removed the former eight streams. The province states that applications submitted under the former framework continue to be assessed under the rules in effect when they were filed, while former Expressions of Interest and job offers that did not lead to an invitation were withdrawn. A new Expression of Interest and employer submission may therefore be required under the Workforce Priority stream.
What this may mean for applicants
A previous OINP profile or job offer should not be assumed to remain active. Workers and employers should confirm the correct TEER category, job-offer and employer requirements, work experience, language level, education and any mandatory professional licence before registering. Self-employed physicians should confirm both CPSO registration and OHIP billing eligibility. Registration is not an invitation or nomination, and Ontario may select profiles according to current labour-market priorities.