Big News for Ontario Immigration: The Workforce Priority Stream Is Officially Open. Here’s How to Apply
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has just rolled out a major update. As of August 4, 2026, the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development has officially opened the expression of interest (EOI) portal for the new Ontario Workforce Priority stream and it’s one of the biggest expansions to Ontario’s economic immigration program in recent memory.
The Ontario Workforce Priority stream is part of the OINP, the province’s economic immigration program delivered in partnership with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
What makes this stream stand out is that it offers pathways for candidates across all National Occupational Classification (NOC) Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) categories, not just select high-skill occupations, along with a dedicated pathway for self-employed physicians. This is a significant development for foreign nationals with job offers in Ontario, as well as for employers looking to fill labour market needs across a wide range of occupations.
The program uses an expression of interest (EOI) system to manage application intake. Registering an EOI is the first step, but it is important to understand that registering is not the same as applying to the OINP or applying for permanent residence. Candidates can only apply once they receive an invitation from the OINP. Here’s a complete, official breakdown of how the process works from registering your EOI to submitting a full application.
Before You Apply
Before registering an EOI, candidates should carefully review the eligibility requirements for the Ontario Workforce Priority stream. The OINP is clear that individuals should not register an EOI unless they meet all stream criteria, as applications that don’t meet requirements will be refused without a refund of the application fee.
Registering an EOI allows the OINP to collect information used to rank and select candidates most likely to meet Ontario’s labour market needs, based on factors such as:
- Education level, field of study, and where it was completed
- Language proficiency in English and/or French
- Intention to settle outside the Greater Toronto Area
- Skill and work experience level
- Earnings history in Canada
- Other attributes tied to Ontario’s labour market needs, including a valid job offer or Ontario work experience
How to Register an EOI With a Job Offer?
To register an EOI under this stream:
- The employer must first register their business through the Employer Portal and submit the job offer details.
- The candidate will then automatically receive an email containing a job offer ID.
- The candidate uses this job offer ID and their email address to register an EOI through the OINP e-Filing Portal.
Candidates have 30 calendar days from the date the job offer is submitted to register their EOI. If this window is missed, the job offer expires, and the employer must submit a new one before a new EOI can be registered.
Self-employed physicians who are eligible to apply without a job offer can begin the process by submitting a webform.
Express Entry vs. Non-Express Entry Pathway
Candidates who are invited to apply and approved under the Ontario Workforce Priority stream may have the option to be nominated through the IRCC Express Entry system, provided they apply with either:
- A job offer in TEER category 0 to 3, or
- As a self-employed physician
Choosing the Express Entry route can lead to faster IRCC processing times for permanent residence, but candidates must maintain a valid Express Entry profile from the time they apply until they are nominated.
Candidates who do not qualify for or choose not to pursue Express Entry can still move forward through the non-Express Entry permanent residence application process once nominated.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
Once invited to apply, candidates should follow these key steps:
1. Confirm eligibility — Re-check that you still meet all stream requirements at the time of application.
2. Prepare supporting documents — All documents must be scanned and uploaded to validate your EOI information. Non-English or non-French documents require a notarized translation.
3. Complete the application — Applications are submitted through the OINP e-Filing Portal. Under this stream, employers must first submit their application for approval of the employment position before the candidate can submit their own application and payment.
4. Pay the application fee and submit — The application can only be submitted once all mandatory questions are answered, all required documents are uploaded, and the fee is paid.
5. Maintain a valid Express Entry profile (if applicable) — This must remain valid from the time of application until nomination.
Deadlines to Apply
For the Ontario Workforce Priority stream job offer pathway:
- Employers must submit their application for approval of the employment position within 14 calendar days of the invitation to apply.
- Candidates must submit their nomination certificate application, with fees paid, within 17 calendar days of the invitation to apply.
For self-employed physicians, the deadline to submit and pay is also 17 calendar days from the date of invitation.
Missing these deadlines results in the job offer being withdrawn and the EOI removed from the selection pool — with no option for reinstatement.
Application Fees
- $1,500 if the job offer (or physician’s practice) is located outside the Greater Toronto Area
- $2,000 if located within the Greater Toronto Area (City of Toronto, Durham, Halton, Peel, and York regions)
Only Visa, Visa Debit, Mastercard, and Mastercard Debit are accepted. Fees are non-refundable once the OINP has begun processing a complete application.
If You Are Nominated
Successful candidates will receive a nomination approval letter, a nomination certificate, and, if applicable, a work permit support letter. From there, candidates must apply to IRCC for permanent residence within six months, as the nomination certificate is only valid for that period.
It’s important to note that a nomination does not guarantee approval of a permanent residence application IRCC makes the final decision.
Why This Update Matters?
This is the first time candidates across all TEER categories have access to a dedicated pathway under the OINP, significantly widening the pool of eligible occupations compared to previous streams. Employers and prospective candidates are strongly encouraged to review the official Ontario Workforce Priority stream criteria carefully before registering an EOI, since eligibility requirements must be met both at registration and at the time of application.
Book a Consultation
Immigration programs like the OINP move fast, and rules around eligibility, deadlines, and documentation can be complex especially with a brand-new stream like this one. Missing a 14-day or 17-day deadline, or submitting an incomplete application, can cost you your spot in the process entirely. If you want to know whether you or your employer qualify under the new Ontario Workforce Priority stream, book a consultation with our licensed RCIC consultant to discuss your specific situation.
Please let us know how we can help you. If you would like to get a consultation, kindly feel free to book an appointment at the link above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is registering an EOI the same as applying to the OINP?
No. Registering an expression of interest only lets the OINP know you’re interested in being considered. You can only submit a full application once you receive an official invitation to apply.
What is the deadline to apply after receiving an invitation under the Ontario Workforce Priority stream?
Employers must submit their employment position approval application within 14 calendar days of the invitation, while candidates must submit their nomination certificate application with fees paid within 17 calendar days.
How much does it cost to apply under this stream?
The application fee is $1,500 for job offers or physician practices located outside the Greater Toronto Area, and $2,000 for those within the Greater Toronto Area.
Can I be nominated through Express Entry under this stream?
Yes, if you apply with a job offer in TEER category 0 to 3, or as a self-employed physician, and you maintain a valid Express Entry profile from application until nomination. This can lead to faster IRCC processing times.