–Sandeep Singh Dhanju-
Ontario has officially opened the online application process for its newly introduced Ontario Workforce Priority Stream (OWPS), marking a significant step
in the province’s redesigned immigration system. The new pathway, administered through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), offers eligible foreign
nationals an opportunity to obtain provincial nomination for permanent residence while helping employers address ongoing labour shortages across key sectors.
The OWPS became operational on August 4, 2026, when Ontario launched the online Expression of Interest (EOI) portal. Although the province had announced
the new stream on June 26, applicants could not register until the digital system became available. The opening of the portal represents the first phase of
Ontario’s broader overhaul of its provincial immigration program. To be considered under the new stream, eligible candidates must submit an
Expression of Interest through Ontario’s e-Filing Portal. The province will periodically review the pool of registered candidates and invite the highest
ranking individuals to submit complete applications for provincial nomination. Each Expression of Interest remains valid for up to 12 months. Applicants who do
not receive an invitation during that period must submit a new registration to continue being considered.
The Ontario Workforce Priority Stream consists of three distinct pathways designed to address different labour market needs. One pathway targets higher skilled workers, another focuses on lower-skilled workers, while a third has been created specifically for self-employed physicians who are registered to practise in Ontario and are eligible to bill the province’s public health insurance program, OHIP.
Applicants seeking nomination through either the higher-skilled or lower-skilled worker pathways must have a qualifying job offer from an eligible Ontario
employer. The employer must create the job offer through the OINP Employer Portal, after which the applicant can link the offer to their Expression of Interest.
For self-employed physicians, the process differs slightly. They must first submit a webform to the OINP before proceeding with the creation and registration of
their Expression of Interest.
Ontario has introduced a points-based ranking system to prioritize candidates within the Expression of Interest pool. The scoring framework, published by the
province on July 20, 2026, determines which applicants receive invitations during periodic selection rounds. Once invited, candidates have 17 calendar days to
submit a complete application. Employers supporting job offer candidates must also complete their portion of the application by seeking approval of the
employment position within 14 calendar days of the invitation being issued. Successful nominees will receive provincial nomination from Ontario,
strengthening their pathway toward Canadian permanent residence. Job offer nominees will also receive a provincial support letter, allowing them to apply for a
work permit from the federal government while their permanent residence application is being processed. Candidates selected through the higher-skilled
worker stream or the physician pathway may qualify to submit their permanent residence applications through Canada’s Enhanced Provincial Nominee Program
linked to Express Entry, potentially benefiting from faster federal processing times.
The launch of the OWPS follows a period of uncertainty after Ontario discontinued all previous provincial nomination streams on May 30, 2026. While
existing applications submitted under the former programs will continue to be assessed according to the eligibility criteria that existed at the time of application,
no replacement pathways were available until the introduction of the new Workforce Priority Stream.
The provincial government has indicated that the OWPS represents only the first stage of a broader modernization strategy for Ontario’s immigration system.
During the second phase of the overhaul, Ontario plans to introduce three additional immigration streams focused on priority healthcare workers,
entrepreneurs, and individuals with exceptional talent. The exceptional talent stream is expected to target internationally recognized professionals with
significant accomplishments in fields such as science, technology, innovation, academia, and the arts. The opening of the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream signals a new chapter in the province’s immigration strategy. By combining employer-driven recruitment with a transparent, points-based selection system, Ontario aims to create a more responsive and efficient pathway to permanent residence while supporting businesses, strengthening essential services, and ensuring the province remains an attractive destination for skilled workers from around the world.
