Canada’s Ontario opens new permanent residence programme for foreign workers
August 5, 2026 8:09 am
A province in Canada, Ontario has opened the application process for its new Workforce Priority Stream, giving eligible foreign workers a new pathway to permanent residence through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program.
The province announced that, effective August 4, 2026, eligible foreign nationals can now register an Expression of Interest through Ontario’s e-Filing Portal, linked to a qualifying job offer from an eligible Ontario employer.
In a post obtained from Canada Visa’s X handle on Wednesday, according to the OINP, the new stream features three pathways: one for higher-skilled workers, one for lower-skilled workers, and another for self-employed physicians who are registered to practise in Ontario and are eligible to bill the province’s public health insurance plan, OHIP.
The province said that eligible foreign nationals must create an EOI linked to a qualifying job offer created by an eligible employer in the OINP Employer Portal to be considered for nomination.
Although the Workforce Priority Stream was launched on June 26, 2026, candidates were unable to enter the selection pool until the online portal opened this week.
Ontario said candidates with active EOIs will be ranked under a points-based scoring system introduced on July 20, 2026, with invitations to apply issued 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 province also said invited candidates will have 17 calendar days to submit a complete application, while employers must apply for approval of the employment position within 14 calendar days of the invitation.
Successful job-offer nominees will receive a provincial support letter that can be used to apply for a federal work permit while their permanent residence application is being processed.
Ontario noted that successful applicants under the higher-skilled worker stream and the self-employed physician stream may also qualify to apply through the Enhanced Provincial Nominee Program linked to Express Entry, potentially benefiting from faster permanent residence processing.
The Workforce Priority Stream is the first immigration pathway introduced under Ontario’s overhaul of the OINP after the province closed all previous streams on May 30, 2026.
Ontario said additional pathways, including a Priority Healthcare Worker Stream, an Entrepreneur Stream and an Exceptional Talent Stream, will be introduced during the second phase of the program’s modernisation.
Gilbert Ekugbe is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over a decade of experience reporting on business and economic affairs. He covers markets, corporate developments, finance, and Nigeria’s broader economic landscape. His reporting is informed by extensive newsroom experience and a strong commitment to accuracy and responsible journalism, helping readers understand complex business issues.
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