The Canadian province of Ontario has opened applications for its new Workforce Priority Stream, offering eligible foreign workers a fresh pathway to permanent residence through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program.
The province announced that, starting August 4, 2026, eligible foreign nationals can register an Expression of Interest via Ontario’s e-Filing Portal, provided they hold a qualifying job offer from an eligible Ontario employer.
According to a post on Canada Visa’s X handle on Wednesday, the stream features three distinct pathways: high-skilled workers, lower-skilled workers, and self-employed physicians registered in Ontario who can bill the province’s public health insurance plan, OHIP.
The province stated that eligible foreign nationals must create an EOI linked to a qualifying job offer generated by an eligible employer in the OINP Employer Portal to secure a nomination.
Although officials launched the Workforce Priority Stream on June 26, 2026, candidates could not enter the selection pool until the online portal opened this week.
Ontario noted that a points-based scoring system, introduced on July 20, 2026, will rank candidates with active EOIs before issuing invitations to apply through periodic draws.
“Once submitted, an EOI remains valid for up to 12 months,” the province said, adding that candidates who do not receive an invitation within that period must register a new EOI to remain under consideration.
The Workforce Priority Stream marks the first immigration pathway under Ontario’s overhauled OINP, following the closure of all previous streams on May 30, 2026.
During the second phase of program modernization, Ontario plans to introduce additional pathways, including a Priority Healthcare Worker Stream, an Entrepreneur Stream, and an Exceptional Talent Stream.
Backstory…
The latest pathway also follows broader changes to Canada’s immigration system, including revisions to Express Entry, category-based selections for in-demand occupations and increased emphasis on retaining temporary foreign workers and international graduates already contributing to the Canadian economy.
Provincial officials say the new initiative is intended to provide qualified workers with a clearer route to permanent residence while helping employers fill vacancies in essential sectors.
Read Also: Japa Gone Wrong As Canada Deports Over 300 Nigerians in Major Immigration Shakeup
