Ontario Launches New PR Pathway: Workforce Priority 2026
On June 26, 2026, Ontario made one of the most significant announcements in its immigration history. After eliminating all nine of its existing immigration streams on May 30, 2026 and leaving candidates and employers waiting for weeks — the province officially launched the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream, marking Phase 1 of its complete overhaul of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).
The new stream replaces every previous OINP pathway and introduces three new routes to Canadian permanent residence: a TEER 0–3 pathway for skilled workers, a TEER 4–5 pathway for workers in essential occupations, and a self-employed physicians pathway for registered Ontario physicians. The regulatory amendments took effect June 25, 2026 — making this the active framework for Ontario provincial nominations going forward.
There is one critical caveat every candidate and employer needs to understand immediately: the streams are active but the Expression of Interest (EOI) system has not yet reopened. You cannot apply today. But understanding the requirements right now — before the EOI system opens — is exactly what separates candidates who are ready to submit the moment the portal reopens from those who are scrambling after.
This blog explains every eligibility requirement for all three pathways, what Ontario employers must satisfy, and what this means specifically for workers and businesses in Northern Ontario.
Not sure if you qualify under the new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream? Book a consultation with iCA Immigration and Talent Services today and get clarity from a licensed RCIC.
👉 https://www.ica-immigration.ca/book-a-consultation
What Is the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream?
The Ontario Workforce Priority Stream is the first phase of Ontario's redesigned provincial nomination program, introduced through amendments to Ontario Regulation 422/17 under the Ontario Immigration Act. It replaces all eight previous permanent residence pathways that were revoked on May 30, 2026.
The Three Pathways at a Glance
The stream contains three distinct pathways — each targeting a different type of worker:
- TEER 0–3 Pathway — for workers in skilled occupations that typically require post-secondary education or training
- TEER 4–5 Pathway — for workers in essential occupations requiring secondary school education and on-the-job training
- Self-Employed Physicians Pathway — for licensed Ontario physicians eligible to bill through OHIP, without requiring a job offer
What About Phase 2?
Ontario has confirmed that a second phase of the redesign is coming — but no launch date has been announced. Phase 2 is expected to include a Priority Healthcare stream, an Entrepreneur stream, and an Exceptional Talent stream in science, technology, arts, and academia. Until those streams are formally launched, only the three Phase 1 pathways described in this blog are available.
TEER 0–3 Pathway — Who Qualifies?
This pathway is designed for workers whose occupations typically require at least some level of post-secondary education, training, or management experience. TEER 0 covers management positions, TEER 1 covers occupations typically requiring a university degree, TEER 2 covers supervisory and college diploma roles, and TEER 3 covers occupations requiring a college diploma or apprenticeship of less than two years.
Job Offer Requirements
You must have a full-time, permanent job offer from an eligible Ontario employer in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation. The job offer must:
- Be of indeterminate duration — not a limited-term contract
- Be urgently necessary for the employer's business
- Be for work performed predominantly in Ontario
- Pay at least the median wage for the occupation in the region of the job offer, based on current federal Job Bank data
If you are currently working for the employer, the job offer must pay at least what they are currently paying you.
Language Requirements
You must demonstrate minimum language proficiency in all four abilities — reading, writing, speaking, and listening — in English or French. The specific threshold depends on your occupation:
- Most TEER 0–3 occupations require CLB 6
- Certain occupations — including skilled trades and some technical roles — require CLB 5
- Recent Ontario graduates can satisfy the language requirement without a formal test result in certain circumstances
Education Requirements
You must hold a post-secondary degree or diploma from a program requiring at least one year of full-time study — from either a Canadian institution, or a foreign institution supported by a valid Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
There are two notable exemptions to the post-secondary education requirement:
- Regulated professions: If you are licensed to work in a regulated profession in Ontario, you may be exempt from the education and work experience requirements entirely
- Skilled trades exemption: For certain major groups including general trades, technical trades, supervisors in natural resources, and specified processing occupations, a secondary school diploma may satisfy the education requirement
Work Experience Requirements
You must meet one of the following work experience requirements:
Option 1 — Job offer employer experience:
At least six months of consecutive full-time work experience in the past 12 months in the same job with the same employer, while residing in Ontario. Recent graduates from Ontario post-secondary institutions need only three months consecutive experience.
Option 2 — Occupational experience:
At least two years of cumulative full-time work experience in the past five years in the same occupation as your job offer, or in a related occupation under a specified exemption. Part-time experience can count toward this total under defined conditions.
Option 3 — Licensed professionals:
If you are licensed to work in a regulated profession in Ontario, you may satisfy this requirement through your licensing alone, without meeting the education and work experience thresholds separately.
Full-time work experience is defined as at least 30 hours per week in a single role.
TEER 4–5 Pathway — Who Qualifies?
This pathway is designed for workers in occupations that typically require a secondary school diploma and several weeks of on-the-job training — occupations that are essential to Ontario's economy and communities.
To qualify under the TEER 4–5 pathway, you must meet all four of the following requirements:
- Job offer: A full-time, permanent job offer from an eligible Ontario employer in a TEER 4 or 5 occupation, paying at least the occupation's median wage based on federal Job Bank data for the region of the job offer
- Work experience: At least nine months of cumulative work experience in the past two years, in the same job, with the same employer as your qualifying Ontario job offer
- Education: A secondary school diploma or equivalent
- Language: Minimum CLB 4 in English or French across all four language abilities
This pathway requires that your work experience be specifically with the employer who is making the job offer. General work experience in the same occupation with a different employer does not satisfy this requirement. This is a critical distinction from the TEER 0–3 pathway, which offers multiple options including general occupational experience.
Every immigration case is unique. Before making any decisions, speak with Jennifer Johnson, RCIC at iCA Immigration and Talent Services to review how these requirements apply to your specific situation.
👉 https://www.ica-immigration.ca/book-a-consultation
Self-Employed Physicians Pathway — Who Qualifies?
The self-employed physicians pathway is the simplest of the three in terms of eligibility — but it is the most restricted in scope. To qualify, you must:
- Be licensed and in good standing as a physician in Ontario, with a valid certificate of registration as an independent, academic, or provisional practitioner with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO)
- Be eligible to bill through the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)
Critically, this pathway does not require a job offer. It is designed specifically to support independent physician practice and address Ontario's persistent shortage of physicians — particularly in smaller and rural communities.
Employer Requirements for the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream
Regardless of which pathway your employee is applying under, your business must qualify as an eligible Ontario employer. The requirements are:
- Must maintain a place of business in Ontario
- Must have been operating for at least three years
- Must meet the minimum gross annual revenue requirement:
- Greater Toronto Area: $1,000,000 in the most recently completed fiscal year
- Major CMAs (including Ottawa, Waterloo, Hamilton, Greater Sudbury, Thunder Bay): $500,000 in the most recently completed fiscal year
- Outside the GTA and major CMAs: $250,000 in each of the past two fiscal years
- Must meet the minimum headcount of Canadian citizens or permanent residents employed full-time at the job offer location:
- GTA: five employees
- Outside the GTA: three employees
- Must not have any outstanding orders under major Ontario labour regulations
What This Means for Workers and Employers in Northern Ontario
The Ontario Workforce Priority Stream introduces several provisions that are directly advantageous for Northern Ontario businesses and workers.
Lower Thresholds for Northern Ontario Employers
Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Timmins, and other Northern Ontario communities outside the GTA and the major CMA list qualify for the lowest revenue and headcount thresholds: $250,000 gross annual revenue and three employees. These are significantly more accessible benchmarks than what GTA employers face — making the OINP pathway realistic for small and mid-sized Northern Ontario businesses that could not previously participate.
The TEER 4–5 Pathway Matters Here
Northern Ontario's workforce includes a significant proportion of workers in TEER 4 and 5 occupations — retail, food production, manufacturing support, transportation, and community services. The TEER 4–5 pathway's CLB 4 language requirement and secondary school education threshold are both achievable for many established workers in these sectors. The nine-month cumulative experience requirement with the same employer is a meaningful but realistic bar for workers who have been building stable employment with Northern Ontario businesses.
Prepare Now — Even Before the EOI Reopens
The EOI system is anticipated to reopen later in the summer of 2026. Workers and employers in Northern Ontario who take the time now to confirm eligibility, verify employer qualification, review NOC codes, and ensure all documentation is in order will be far better positioned to move quickly when the system opens. Nominations under this stream will be allocated by invitation — being ready to submit immediately upon receiving an invitation from the OINP is essential.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Waiting for the EOI System to Open Before Checking Eligibility
The EOI system is not yet open, but the eligibility requirements are already published. Discovering a gap in your qualifications after the portal opens — when you are ready to submit — costs you time you cannot get back. Review your eligibility now.
Confusing Job Offer Work Experience with Occupational Work Experience
Under the TEER 0–3 pathway, the two-year occupational experience option does not require that experience to be with your current employer. Under the TEER 4–5 pathway, however, all nine months of required experience must be with the employer making the job offer. Mixing up these requirements is a common error that leads to ineligible applications.
Assuming Your Employer Automatically Qualifies
The employer requirements — including the three-year operating history, minimum revenue, and minimum headcount — must all be met. Northern Ontario employers using the lower thresholds should confirm their most recent fiscal year revenue figures meet the $250,000 threshold for both of the past two years before proceeding.
Submitting an EOI Before Your Employer Is Ready
Under the new system, your employer must initiate the EOI process by submitting a job offer and application for approval of an employment position through the Employer Portal. Employers who are not prepared to do this simultaneously with your EOI submission will create delays and potentially invalid expressions of interest.
Expecting Your Old EOI to Carry Over
EOI profiles from the old OINP system have been automatically withdrawn. You must create a new EOI under the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream once the system reopens. Starting from scratch is the only option.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Ontario's immigration overhaul is one of the most significant changes to provincial nomination in the province's history. The requirements are detailed, the employer eligibility rules are strict, and the window between the EOI system reopening and nomination allocations being exhausted could be narrow.
Jennifer Johnson is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC #R709916) based in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, serving clients across Northern Ontario and beyond.
Book your consultation today:
👉 https://www.ica-immigration.ca/book-a-consultation
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream and when did it launch?
A: The Ontario Workforce Priority Stream is the new provincial nomination pathway launched by Ontario on June 26, 2026, as Phase 1 of its complete overhaul of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). It replaces all eight previous OINP permanent residence pathways that were revoked on May 30, 2026. The stream includes three pathways: TEER 0–3 for skilled workers, TEER 4–5 for workers in essential occupations, and a self-employed physicians pathway. The regulatory amendments came into effect June 25, 2026. Contact iCA Immigration and Talent Services to review your eligibility under this new stream.
Q: Can I apply for the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream right now?
A: No — not yet. The stream is active and the eligibility requirements are published, but the Expression of Interest (EOI) system has not yet reopened. The OINP has stated the new EOI system is anticipated to open later in the summer of 2026. You cannot submit an EOI or an application until the system reopens. However, you can and should review your eligibility, prepare your documents, and confirm your employer's qualification now — so you are ready to submit immediately when the EOI system opens. Book a consultation with iCA Immigration and Talent Services to prepare in advance.
Q: What is the difference between the TEER 0-3 and TEER 4-5 pathways?
A: The TEER 0–3 pathway is for workers in skilled occupations that typically require post-secondary education. It has more flexible work experience options including a two-year occupational experience pathway that does not have to be with the job offer employer. The TEER 4–5 pathway is for workers in essential occupations requiring secondary school education, but all nine months of required work experience must be with the specific employer making the job offer. Language requirements also differ: CLB 6 for most TEER 0–3 occupations versus CLB 4 for TEER 4–5. iCA Immigration and Talent Services can help you confirm which pathway applies to your occupation and situation.
Q: What are the employer revenue requirements for Northern Ontario businesses?
A: Ontario employers located outside the Greater Toronto Area and outside the major Census Metropolitan Areas — which includes most Northern Ontario communities such as Sault Ste. Marie, Timmins, Sudbury, and Thunder Bay — must demonstrate gross annual revenue of at least $250,000 in each of the past two most recently completed fiscal years, and have at least three Canadian citizens or permanent residents employed full-time at the job offer location. These are significantly lower thresholds than the $1,000,000 requirement for GTA employers. Contact iCA Immigration and Talent Services to confirm whether your employer meets these requirements.
Q: What happened to my EOI under the old OINP system?
A: All EOI profiles submitted under the former OINP streams have been automatically withdrawn. You will receive direct notice from the OINP about your withdrawn profile. Foreign nationals who had not yet received an invitation to apply before May 30, 2026 must create a new EOI under the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream once the new EOI system reopens later in the summer. Applications that were already submitted before May 30 will continue to be processed under the requirements that were in place when they were received. Book a consultation with iCA Immigration and Talent Services to understand your options.
References
All information in this blog has been verified against official Canadian and Ontario government sources as of June 30, 2026.
- Ontario Government — 2026 Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program Updates (published June 26, 2026)
https://www.ontario.ca/page/2026-ontario-immigrant-nominee-program-updates - Ontario Regulation 422/17 — General (as amended June 25, 2026)
https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/170422 - Government of Canada — Provincial Nominee Program
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/provincial-nominees.html - Government of Canada — National Occupation Classification (NOC) and TEER levels
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/eligibility/find-national-occupation-code.html
Note: Immigration policies change frequently. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we recommend verifying current requirements at ontario.ca or canada.ca, or booking a consultation with a licensed RCIC before making any immigration decisions.
