Ontario's New Workforce Priority Stream Is Open: What Employers and Foreign Workers Need to Know

On August 4, 2026, Ontario opened intake for the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream (OWPS). It is the core of the biggest redesign of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) in years. Two things matter most before you start: you cannot enter this stream on your own, and meeting the criteria does not guarantee an invitation.

What changed

Ontario scrapped its previous eight OINP streams for a single, employer-driven pathway with three routes: TEER 0-3 (higher-skilled jobs), TEER 4-5 (lower-skilled jobs that used to have few PR options), and a self-employed physician route that needs no job offer.

For the two TEER routes, everything starts with the employer. The worker can't register an Expression of Interest (EOI) until an eligible Ontario employer registers and submits a job offer first. No employer, no application.

The deadlines that catch people out

It is important to note that entering the EOI pool does not mean you'll be invited. Ontario scores every candidate on various factors, including NOC TEER category, occupational category, hourly wage, Ontario work experience, legal status in Canada, education, language, and job location in Ontario. Candidates are invited based on relative scores and shifting labour priorities.

What to do now

• Employers should confirm they meet the baseline: at least three years in business, an Ontario premises, no outstanding Employment Standards Act or Occupational Health and Safety Act orders, and the revenue and Canadian-employee thresholds.

• Foreign workers should secure any required language test or ECA early, review the points system for ways to raise their score, and know that a nomination is conditional: if the approved job ends, the nomination can be cancelled and you start over. Once nominated, you have six months to apply to IRCC for permanent residence.

How we can help

We advise both employers and foreign workers at every stage: assessing eligibility, structuring compliant job offers, maximizing EOI scores, and managing post-nomination obligations. If you're considering the OWPS, contact us to book a consultation before you register.‍

This article is general information, not legal advice, and reflects the program as of August 2026. Immigration rules change often. The OINP is governed by the Ontario Immigration Act, 2015 and its regulations, which prevail over any summary.