Canada's Ontario launches new permanent residence program for foreign workers

Ontario, Canada, has opened applications for its new Workforce Priority Stream, offering eligible foreign workers a direct route to permanent residence through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). This initiative, effective August 4, 2026, allows foreign nationals with qualifying job offers from Ontario employers to register an Expression of Interest (EOI).

The new stream is designed with three distinct pathways: one for higher-skilled professionals, another for lower-skilled workers, and a third specifically for self-employed physicians licensed to practice in Ontario. To be considered for nomination, candidates must create an EOI linked to a job offer secured through the OINP Employer Portal.

Although the stream officially launched on June 26, 2026, the online portal for candidate registration only opened this week. Ontario employs a points-based scoring system, introduced on July 20, 2026, to rank candidates in the selection pool. Invitations to apply will be issued through periodic draws.

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Once submitted, an EOI remains valid for up to 12 months.

An EOI remains valid for 12 months. Candidates not invited within this period must reapply. Invited applicants have 17 days to submit a full application, while employers must seek approval for the job position within 14 days of the invitation. Successful nominees receive a provincial support letter, aiding their federal work permit application while permanent residence is processed.

This Workforce Priority Stream is the first immigration pathway introduced under Ontario's comprehensive overhaul of the OINP, which saw previous streams close on May 30, 2026. Future phases will introduce additional streams, including Priority Healthcare Worker, Entrepreneur, and Exceptional Talent streams. Applicants in the higher-skilled and physician categories may also qualify for the Enhanced Provincial Nominee Program linked to Express Entry, potentially expediting their permanent residence.

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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.