Ontario Opens New Permanent Residence Pathway For Foreign Workers

The Canadian province of Ontario has opened applications for its newly introduced Workforce Priority Stream, creating a fresh pathway for eligible foreign workers seeking permanent residence through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).

The province announced that, effective August 4, 2026, eligible foreign nationals can now submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through Ontario’s e-Filing Portal, provided they have a qualifying job offer from an eligible employer in the province.

According to a post shared on the Canada Visa X account on Wednesday, the new immigration stream is structured into three categories: one for higher-skilled workers, another for lower-skilled workers, and a third for self-employed physicians registered to practise in Ontario and eligible to bill the province’s public health insurance plan, the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).

To be considered for provincial nomination, applicants must create an EOI linked to a qualifying job offer submitted by an eligible employer through the OINP Employer Portal.

Although the Workforce Priority Stream was officially launched on June 26, 2026, candidates could not enter the selection pool until the e-Filing Portal became operational this week.

Ontario said all active EOIs will be assessed under a points-based ranking system introduced on July 20, 2026, with invitations to apply to be issued through periodic invitation rounds.

The province explained that each EOI will remain valid for up to 12 months. Applicants who do not receive an invitation within that period will be required to submit a new Expression of Interest to remain eligible for future draws.

Once invited, candidates will have 17 calendar days to submit a complete application, while their employers must apply for approval of the offered position within 14 calendar days of the invitation.

Successful nominees under the job-offer categories will receive a provincial support letter, enabling them to apply for a federal work permit while their permanent residence applications are being processed.

Ontario also noted that applicants under the Higher-Skilled Worker Stream and the Self-Employed Physician Stream may qualify for the Enhanced Provincial Nominee Program linked to Canada’s Express Entry system, potentially allowing for faster permanent residence processing.

The Workforce Priority Stream is the first immigration pathway introduced under Ontario’s restructured OINP after the province closed all existing streams on May 30, 2026, as part of a broader overhaul of its immigration program.

The provincial government said additional pathways, including a Priority Healthcare Worker Stream, an Entrepreneur Stream and an Exceptional Talent Stream, will be rolled out during the second phase of the OINP modernisation initiative.