Canada’s province of Ontario has officially begun accepting applications for its newly introduced Workforce Priority Stream, creating another route for qualified foreign workers to obtain permanent residency through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program.
The provincial government announced that from August 4, 2026, eligible foreign nationals can submit an Expression of Interest through Ontario’s e-Filing Portal, provided it is linked to a qualifying job offer from an approved employer in the province.
According to a post shared on Canada Visa’s X account on Wednesday, the OINP said the new stream consists of three categories: one targeting higher-skilled workers, another for lower-skilled workers, and a dedicated pathway for self-employed physicians who are licensed to practise in Ontario and qualify to bill the province’s public health insurance program, OHIP.
To qualify for consideration, applicants must create an EOI tied to a valid job offer submitted by an eligible employer through the OINP Employer Portal.
Although the Workforce Priority Stream was unveiled on June 26, 2026, prospective applicants were unable to join the selection pool until the online application portal became operational this week.
Ontario explained that all active EOIs will be assessed using the province’s points-based ranking system, introduced on July 20, 2026, with invitations to apply expected to be issued during scheduled draws.
“Once submitted, an EOI remains valid for up to 12 months,” the province said, adding that candidates who do not receive an invitation within that period must register a new EOI to remain under consideration.
The province further stated that successful candidates who receive invitations will have 17 calendar days to submit a complete application, while their employers must seek approval for the employment position within 14 calendar days of the invitation being issued.
Applicants nominated through the job-offer pathway will also receive a provincial support letter, enabling them to apply for a federal work permit while awaiting a decision on their permanent residence application.
Ontario added that nominees under the higher-skilled worker category and the self-employed physician pathway could also be eligible for the Enhanced Provincial Nominee Program linked to Express Entry, a process that may speed up permanent residence approvals.
The Workforce Priority Stream marks the first immigration pathway introduced following Ontario’s restructuring of the OINP, which saw all previous streams closed on May 30, 2026.
The province also revealed that more immigration pathways will be rolled out in the next phase of the program’s overhaul, including a Priority Healthcare Worker Stream, an Entrepreneur Stream, and an Exceptional Talent Stream.
