Ontario has opened the intake for its new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream (OWPS), allowing eligible foreign nationals to apply for provincial nomination under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) as of August 4 2026.
How the OWPS works
- Expression of Interest (EOI): Candidates must create an EOI through Ontario’s e‑Filing portal, linked to a qualifying job offer entered by an eligible Ontario employer in the OINP Employer Portal.
- Validity: An EOI remains active for up to 12 months. If no invitation is received within that period, the candidate must submit a new EOI.
- Selection: The OINP periodically selects candidates from the active pool and invites them to submit a full application for provincial nomination.
Pathways within the OWPS
- Higher‑skilled worker stream – for occupations classified at NOC 0, A or B.
- Lower‑skilled worker stream – for occupations classified at NOC C or D that meet the province’s labour‑market needs.
- Self‑employed physicians stream – for physicians registered to practice in Ontario and eligible to bill OHIP. Self‑employed physicians begin the process by submitting a webform before creating an EOI.
Points‑based ranking
- Candidates are ranked using a points system published by the province on July 20 2026.
- The exact criteria and weighting are detailed on the OINP website.
Timeline after invitation
| Step | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Submit complete nomination application | 17 calendar days |
| Employer submits position approval (job‑offer candidates) | 14 calendar days after invitation |
Outcomes
- Successful nominees receive a provincial support letter, which can be used to apply for a federal work permit.
- High‑skill and physician nominees may also apply through Express Entry as provincial nominees under the Enhanced Provincial Nominee Program, potentially accelerating permanent‑residence processing.
Context of the overhaul
- All previous OINP pathways were sunset on May 30 2026, leaving no active streams until the OWPS launch.
- The OWPS represents Phase 1 of a broader OINP redesign. Phase 2 is slated to introduce three additional streams: a priority healthcare‑worker stream, an entrepreneur stream, and an exceptional‑talent stream (targeting achievements in academia, innovation, science & technology, and the arts). Details and launch dates for these streams have not yet been released.
- The overhaul was first proposed by the Ontario government in December 2025.
Existing applications
Applicants who submitted nominations under the now‑defunct streams will have their cases assessed according to the criteria that were in effect at the time of their original application.
For the most current information, refer to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program updates page and the OINP’s official portals.
Source article: www.cicnews.com
