The wait is over. Ontario has opened the Expression of Interest (EOI) portal for its new Ontario Workforce Priority stream on August 4, 2026, meaning eligible candidates and employers can now begin registering under the redesigned program.
Quick refresher: earlier in 2026, Ontario closed all eight of its former OINP streams and replaced them with this single, job-offer-focused stream. We broke down the full redesign in our complete Ontario Workforce Priority guide. Today's news is the part everyone was waiting for: the door is now open.
Who can apply?
The new stream runs on three pathways. Here is the short version of who each one is for.
| Pathway | Who it is for |
|---|---|
| TEER 0-3 | Skilled workers with a full-time, permanent Ontario job offer in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation. This can fit candidates with employer experience, recent Ontario graduates, and licensed professionals. |
| Self-employed physicians | Physicians in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario who hold an eligible registration class and can bill OHIP. This pathway does not require a job offer. |
| TEER 4-5 | Workers in essential roles with a full-time, permanent Ontario job offer, 9 months of cumulative experience with the employer in the last 2 years, CLB 4, and a secondary-school credential. |
Bonus for smaller communities: if the job is in a rural area, the employer may benefit from lower revenue thresholds. That can make it easier for rural and northern employers to support an application.
Before you register: two eligibility checks that matter
Here is what trips people up. Under this stream, it is not only about you. The employer has to qualify too. A strong candidate with a job offer from an employer who cannot meet the requirements goes nowhere.
Both sides need to line up before you register an EOI, and getting either side wrong wastes time you may not have.
Your eligibility
You need to identify which pathway fits your occupation and TEER category, whether your work experience and language level clear the bar, and whether a licence or recent-graduate rule changes the picture in your favour.
Your employer's eligibility
Your employer needs to meet the business and job-offer requirements. The offer must be structured correctly, the position must qualify, and the work location can matter if a rural threshold applies.
Start with a proper assessment
Do not guess. Get a clear read on you, your employer, and the pathway that fits before you register.
Sawubona Canada can assess:
- Whether you qualify, and under which of the three pathways
- Whether your employer and job offer meet the requirements
- Whether a rural location gives the employer a practical advantage
- Which route gives you the strongest, fastest shot at permanent residence
The portal opening is the starting gun, not the finish line. Occupation, TEER, documents, and employer requirements all have to align. Find out exactly where you stand now, then register with confidence instead of hoping for the best.
This article summarizes an Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program update and is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Program rules can change and contain details not covered here. Always confirm current requirements on ontario.ca and with a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant or immigration lawyer before acting.
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Content reviewed for accuracy and IRCC compliance by Sawubona Canada Immigration Inc. (RCIC #R707177). Immigration policies change frequently — book a consultation for advice specific to your situation.
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Disclaimer: The information on this page is intended as a general guide and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration laws and policies change frequently. Final decisions on all immigration applications are made solely by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and other Canadian immigration authorities. No outcome can be promised. For advice specific to your situation, please book a consultation with our RCIC-licensed team.