At a glance
- Ontario’s Workforce Priority stream is now open for employer job offers and EOI registrations.
- Ontario has introduced a new EOI scoring framework and an Express Entry pathway for eligible candidates.
- Employers should reassess potential candidates and plan early for employees who may need OINP support.
Ontario has launched intake for the Workforce Priority stream, the next phase of the province's redesign of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).
The launch follows Ontario’s June 2026 announcement introducing the Workforce Priority stream. BDO Law’s earlier update outlined the closure of the former streams, withdrawal of uninvited Expressions of Interest (EOIs), and new eligibility criteria.
Key updates:
- As of Aug. 4, 2026, the OINP Employer Portal and EOI system are live for the Workforce Priority stream. Employers can now submit job offers under the new stream.
- The employer-led job-offer, EOI and application process remain essentially the same. An employer must submit a job offer through the Employer Portal before a prospective applicant can register an EOI.
- Ontario has published the stream’s EOI scoring framework and updated operational guidance for employers submitting job offers.
- Ontario has confirmed that the Workforce Priority stream includes an Express Entry pathway for eligible candidates in TEER 0, 1, 2 and 3 occupations. This is a significant change from the former Employer Job Offer streams, which were not aligned with Express Entry.
New EOI scoring framework
Ontario has published the scoring factors that will be used to rank EOIs. The scoring framework determines competitiveness, not eligibility. Applicants must first meet the stream's eligibility requirements and, if invited, provide evidence supporting the points claimed in their EOI.
Points are available for:
- Ontario work experience, with the highest scores awarded to applicants with two or more years in the offered position.
- TEER level and occupational category, with health occupations receiving the highest points, followed by trades and transport, and natural and applied sciences.
- Hourly wage, with the highest points awarded to wages of $40 per hour or more.
- Canadian earnings history.
- Valid temporary resident status, with work permit holders receiving more points than study permit holders.
- Highest level of education and where you earned it, requiring an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) if the program was completed outside of Canada.
- Official language proficiency and bilingualism.
- Job-offer location, with Northern Ontario positions receiving the highest regional points, followed by other locations outside the Greater Toronto Area, while Toronto job offers receive no regional points.
Self-employed physicians are assessed under a modified framework that excludes wage points and awards Ontario work-experience points based on cumulative medical practice in Ontario.
Supporting employees through the OINP
Employers previously registered in the OINP Employer Portal do not need to create a new employer registration. However, job offers submitted under the former program structure that did not result in an invitation were withdrawn. Employers wishing to continue supporting those employees must submit new job offers under the Workforce Priority stream.
Job offers should accurately reflect the proposed position, including the NOC code, TEER category, work location, wage and hours. Employers should ensure that portal submissions are consistent with internal human resources, payroll and corporate records, as this information will be used to assess the employer, position and applicant.
Before supporting an employee, an employer should confirm that it meets the OINP requirements relating to active business operations, Ontario premises, revenue, Canadian citizen or permanent resident employees, and compliance with provincial employment and occupational health and safety legislation.
Supporting an employee does not end with submitting a job offer. If an employee receives an invitation to apply, the employer must submit a separate application for approval of the employment position, provide supporting documentation and continue to satisfy program requirements throughout processing.
Workforce planning considerations
The launch comes as many employers are re-evaluating how they retain foreign national talent.
Historically, employers often did not need to play an active role in an employee’s permanent residence strategy. Post-graduation work permit holders and other foreign nationals could often transition to permanent residence independently through Express Entry or other federal programs.
That landscape has changed. Federal reforms have narrowed several temporary residence and work permit pathways, while increased Express Entry competition has made permanent residence less certain for many foreign nationals.
As a result, many employers are receiving more requests for employer-supported permanent residence, including provincial nomination, as employees seek options to remain in Canada.
The Workforce Priority stream may therefore become an increasingly important workforce-planning tool. However, eligibility does not guarantee an invitation. Ontario is expected to continue issuing targeted invitations based on labour-market priorities, including occupation and geographic region. Applicants will still require competitive EOI scores and may need to align with Ontario's targeted invitation priorities.
For employees in TEER 0 to 3 roles who are also eligible for Express Entry will have an additional strategic benefit, as a provincial nomination through Express Entry significantly strengthens a candidate’s federal permanent residence position and may result in faster transition to permanent residence.
Employers should assess both the base Workforce Priority stream and the Express Entry-aligned pathway when reviewing candidates. Employers should assess competitiveness before deciding which employees to support and should begin permanent residence planning well before an employee’s work permit approaches expiry.
Recommended action
Now that the Workforce Priority stream is operational, employers should:
How BDO can help
Ontario has not announced when it will begin issuing invitations to apply. Employers that have not reassessed their foreign national population under the new criteria should do so now, so eligible candidates can have EOI profiles in place ahead of future draws.
- BDO Law’s immigration team can help employers and applicants with: assessing eligibility and competitiveness under the Workforce Priority stream;
- reviewing employer eligibility;
- supporting Employer Portal, job offer and EOI registrations;
- preparing nomination applications; and
- developing alternative permanent residence and work-permit strategies where the Workforce Priority stream may not be available or competitive.
For questions about using the OINP to support workforce planning, please contact our Immigration Services leader.
The information in this publication is current as of Aug. 25, 2026.
This publication has been carefully prepared, but it has been written in general terms and should be seen as broad guidance only. The publication cannot be relied upon to cover specific situations and you should not act, or refrain from acting, upon the information contained therein without obtaining specific professional advice. Please contact BDO Canada LLP to discuss these matters in the context of your particular circumstances. BDO Canada LLP, its partners, employees and agents do not accept or assume any liability or duty of care for any loss arising from any action taken or not taken by anyone in reliance on the information in this publication or for any decision based on it.