On This Page, You Will Find:
- What is the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream?
- Who can apply under the new stream
- How employers submit job offers
- How candidates register an Expression of Interest
- Documents needed to support EOI claims
- What former OINP candidates need to know
- Frequently asked questions
Ontario has officially opened its new Workforce Priority Stream, allowing eligible candidates to register Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from August 4, 2026.
The move marks the first time Ontario’s redesigned immigration system has become fully operational since it was announced in June. Rather than introducing another invitation round, the province has now activated the process that allows eligible workers to enter the selection pool.
The new stream replaces several former Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) employer job offer pathways with a single system covering a wider range of workers.
Three Routes Under The Workforce Priority Stream
The Workforce Priority Stream includes three separate pathways:
- Workers in TEER 0 to 3 occupations.
- Workers in TEER 4 to 5 occupations.
- Eligible self-employed physicians.
In most cases, candidates must first secure an eligible Ontario job offer from an employer approved through the OINP Employer Portal before they can register an Expression of Interest.
How Employers Start The Process
The new system places employers at the centre of the application process.
Before a candidate can register, an employer must:
- Register through the OINP Employer Portal.
- Create and submit an eligible job offer.
- Receive confirmation that the job offer has been accepted into the system.
Only after these steps have been completed can a candidate link their application to that specific job offer.
Candidates should therefore confirm that their employer has completed the process before attempting to register.
How Candidates Register
Once an employer’s job offer has been successfully submitted, candidates can:
- Create or access their account through Ontario’s e-Filing Portal.
- Register an Expression of Interest.
- Link the EOI to their employer’s approved job offer.
- Wait to see whether Ontario issues an Invitation to Apply.
Submitting an Expression of Interest does not guarantee nomination. It simply places the candidate in the selection pool for future invitation rounds.
Ontario will continue selecting candidates based on its published scoring system and provincial labour market needs.
Evidence Must Support Every Scoring Claim
Ontario has warned candidates to ensure every claim made in an Expression of Interest can be supported with evidence.
The province says applicants should retain documents that verify factors used to calculate their score, including education, work experience, language ability and other eligibility criteria where applicable.
If a candidate receives an Invitation to Apply but cannot provide evidence supporting the points claimed, Ontario may refuse the application.
For that reason, applicants should review their documentation carefully before submitting an Expression of Interest.
What Previous OINP Candidates Need To Know
The Workforce Priority Stream forms part of Ontario’s broader redesign of its immigration system announced in June.
Candidates who previously expected to apply through former Employer Job Offer streams should review the new requirements carefully. The redesigned process relies on employer-submitted job offers through the Employer Portal rather than the previous application system.
Anyone whose employer has not yet registered should encourage them to complete the Employer Portal process before attempting to enter the pool.
Should Candidates Register Immediately?
For candidates whose employer has already submitted an eligible job offer, registering promptly makes sense because it allows them to enter the pool and become eligible for future invitation rounds.
However, candidates should first verify:
- Their employer has completed the Employer Portal process.
- Their job offer satisfies the stream requirements.
- All information entered into the Expression of Interest is accurate.
- They possess documents supporting every scoring claim.
Taking extra time to verify eligibility is preferable to submitting inaccurate information that could later jeopardize an application.
Ontario’s Immigration Redesign Now Fully Underway
Opening Expressions of Interest represents the practical implementation of Ontario’s redesigned immigration system.
After announcing the Workforce Priority Stream in June, the province has now moved from policy to operation by allowing employers to submit job offers and candidates to enter the selection pool.
Future invitation rounds will determine which candidates receive Invitations to Apply for provincial nomination, but August 4 marks the beginning of the new process for both employers and prospective immigrants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply under Ontario’s Workforce Priority Stream?
The stream is open to eligible workers with Ontario job offers in TEER 0 to 3 occupations, TEER 4 to 5 occupations, and eligible self-employed physicians. In most cases, candidates need a qualifying job offer submitted by an approved employer before they can register an Expression of Interest.
Does submitting an Expression of Interest guarantee an invitation?
No. Registering an Expression of Interest only places a candidate in Ontario’s selection pool. The province periodically issues Invitations to Apply based on its scoring system, labour market needs and other selection priorities. Many candidates may remain in the pool without receiving an invitation.
What must employers do before a candidate can register?
Employers must first register through the OINP Employer Portal and create an eligible job offer. Once the job offer has been accepted, the candidate can link their Expression of Interest to it through Ontario’s e-Filing Portal. Candidates cannot complete this step independently.
What documents should candidates prepare?
Applicants should keep evidence supporting every factor claimed in their Expression of Interest, including education, work experience, language test results and other eligibility requirements. Ontario may request these documents after issuing an Invitation to Apply, and unsupported claims can result in refusal.
What should former OINP Employer Job Offer candidates do?
Anyone who planned to apply under Ontario’s previous employer job offer pathways should review the redesigned Workforce Priority Stream requirements. The new system requires employers to initiate the process through the Employer Portal, meaning both employers and candidates may need to complete different steps than under the previous framework.