Ontario has opened its Expression of Interest portal for the new Workforce Priority stream under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program. The stream replaces eight older nomination pathways and covers foreign workers with an Ontario job offer across all skill levels, plus self-employed physicians billing through OHIP. Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development has consolidated eight of its former OINP employer-job-offer pathways into one program: the Workforce Priority stream. If you previously had an uninvited Expression of Interest profile sitting under one of the old streams, that profile was automatically withdrawn — you’ll need to submit a fresh one under the new system to be considered.
Who Is Eligible Under Ontario New Workforce Priority Stream?
The Workforce Priority stream is built around three distinct pathways, based on the NOC TEER classification of the job offer: Workers with job offers in TEER categories 0 through 3 generally management, professional, and skilled technical roles fall under one pathway. Workers with offers in TEER 4 or 5, which cover intermediate and labour-intensive occupations, fall under a second. The third pathway is reserved specifically for self-employed physicians who bill through OHIP, recognizing the unique way physicians are compensated in Ontario. In every case, an active, genuine Ontario job offer (or, for physicians, an OHIP billing arrangement) is the anchor requirement.
Why Did Ontario Consolidate Eight Streams Into One?
Managing eight separate pathways with overlapping criteria created confusion for both applicants and employers trying to figure out which stream fit their situation. A single stream with three clearly defined tracks is a simpler front door, and it gives the province more flexibility to adjust intake and targeting without redesigning multiple programs each time.
Source: Ontario’s New Workforce Priority Stream Update
What Should You Do If Your Old Profile Was Withdrawn?
Don’t wait for Ontario to reach back out — it won’t. Withdrawn profiles are not automatically transferred or reinstated. You’ll need to log in and create a new Expression of Interest under the Workforce Priority stream, confirming your job offer, occupation, and TEER category meet the new criteria before you resubmit.
How Competitive Is the New Stream Likely to Be?
It’s early days, and Ontario hasn’t published an EOI scoring breakdown for this stream yet. What we do know from past OINP employer streams is that factors like wage level, job offer permanence, and occupational demand tend to weigh heavily in selection. Candidates should treat their job offer documentation as the centrepiece of a strong application, not an afterthought.
Frequently Asked Questions
A new OINP pathway that replaces eight former employer-job-offer streams, covering foreign workers across all NOC TEER categories with an Ontario job offer, and self-employed physicians billing through OHIP.
Yes. Uninvited profiles under the previous streams were automatically withdrawn, so you must submit a new Expression of Interest under the Workforce Priority stream.
Job offers spanning NOC TEER categories 0 through 5 qualify, split into two pathways by skill level, alongside a third pathway specifically for self-employed OHIP-billing physicians.
Yes, for the TEER-based pathways an active, genuine Ontario job offer is required. Physicians instead need an OHIP billing arrangement.
Through the OINP’s online EOI portal, which is now open for the Workforce Priority stream.
Talk to ImmigCanada Wondering whether your job offer qualifies under Ontario’s new Workforce Priority stream? ImmigCanada’s RCIC-led team can review your documents and file your Expression of Interest correctly the first time, book your consultation today.