Ontario has officially launched the first phase of its revamped provincial immigration system by introducing three new pathways to permanent residence under the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream. The changes, which took effect on June 26, 2026, are designed to better address the province’s labour market needs while creating new opportunities for skilled workers and healthcare professionals.
The newly introduced pathways include:
- TEER 0–3 Pathway for higher-skilled occupations.
- TEER 4–5 Pathway for occupations requiring lower skill levels.
- Self-Employed Physicians Pathway for eligible doctors licensed to practise in Ontario.
Although the streams are now officially in place, candidates will need to wait until the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) launches its new Expression of Interest (EOI) system, which is expected to reopen later this summer.
Three More Immigration Streams Coming Soon
Ontario has also confirmed that a second phase of the immigration overhaul will introduce three additional pathways:
- Priority Healthcare Stream
- Entrepreneur Stream
- Exceptional Talent Stream
The province has not yet announced when these new streams will become available.
Applicants who submitted applications under Ontario’s previous immigration streams before they were closed will continue to have their files processed under the rules that were in effect at the time of application.
TEER 0–3 Pathway: For Skilled Workers
The TEER 0–3 pathway is intended for foreign workers with job offers in occupations that generally require post-secondary education, apprenticeship training, or specialized skills.
To qualify, applicants must generally:
- Hold a full-time, permanent job offer from an eligible Ontario employer in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation.
- Meet the required English or French language proficiency (typically CLB 5 or CLB 6 depending on the occupation), or qualify as a recent Ontario graduate.
- Meet education, licensing, and work experience requirements applicable to their occupation.
Recent Ontario graduates may benefit from more flexible work experience requirements under this pathway.
TEER 4–5 Pathway: Supporting Essential Occupations
The new TEER 4–5 pathway targets workers employed in occupations that generally require a secondary school education and on-the-job training.
Eligibility requirements include:
- A permanent, full-time job offer from an eligible Ontario employer.
- At least nine months of recent work experience with the same employer.
- A secondary school diploma or equivalent.
- Minimum language proficiency of CLB 4 in English or French.
This pathway creates additional opportunities for workers employed in essential occupations that have traditionally faced labour shortages.
Dedicated Pathway for Self-Employed Physicians
Ontario has also introduced a dedicated permanent residence pathway for self-employed physicians.
To qualify, applicants must:
- Hold an active licence to practise medicine in Ontario.
- Be in good standing with the provincial medical regulator.
- Be eligible to bill through the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).
This initiative aims to help attract and retain physicians while addressing healthcare workforce shortages across the province.
Employer Requirements
Employers wishing to support foreign workers through the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream must meet several eligibility criteria, including:
- Operating a business in Ontario for at least three years.
- Meeting minimum annual revenue thresholds based on business location.
- Maintaining the required number of full-time Canadian citizens or permanent resident employees.
- Offering permanent, full-time employment that meets Ontario wage requirements.
In some cases, employers may also need to demonstrate reasonable efforts to recruit Canadian citizens or permanent residents before hiring internationally.
New Expression of Interest System Required
Once Ontario reopens its new EOI system, eligible candidates must submit a new Expression of Interest to be considered for nomination.
Employers will also need to submit a new job offer through the updated Employer Portal. Existing Employer Portal registrations will remain valid, meaning employers will not need to register again.
Only candidates selected from the EOI pool will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for provincial nomination.
Ontario’s Immigration Overhaul Continues
The launch of the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream marks the first major step in the province’s comprehensive immigration reform, which was first announced in late 2025.
Ontario retired all previous OINP permanent residence pathways in May 2026 to make way for a more flexible immigration system that better aligns with labour market demands.
With additional streams expected in the coming months, Ontario is expanding its immigration options to attract skilled professionals, healthcare workers, entrepreneurs, and globally recognized talent.
What This Means for Immigration Applicants
The new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream provides additional pathways for skilled workers, essential workers, and physicians seeking Canadian permanent residence. While applications cannot yet be submitted through the new system, prospective candidates should prepare their documents and monitor the reopening of the OINP Expression of Interest system later this summer.
