Ontario Immigration Changes: Three New PR Pathways Explained

Ontario has officially introduced the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream, marking one of the most significant Ontario immigration changes in recent years. As the first phase of the province's immigration program overhaul, this new stream creates updated pathways to permanent residence (PR) for skilled workers, lower-skilled workers, and self-employed physicians who want to build their future in Ontario.

While the new pathways are now in effect, prospective applicants will need to wait until the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) reopens its Expression of Interest (EOI) system later this summer before they can submit a new profile.

If you're considering immigrating to Ontario, understanding these changes is essential. This guide explains what the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream is, who qualifies under each pathway, employer requirements, how the new process works, and what applicants can expect moving forward.

What Is the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream?

The Ontario Workforce Priority Stream is a newly introduced immigration stream under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). It replaces several previous employer job offer pathways that were retired as part of Ontario's broader immigration reform.

The stream is designed to better align Ontario's immigration selection process with current labour market needs while creating more targeted pathways for workers across different skill levels.

The first phase introduces three new pathways:

• TEER 0–3 Pathway for higher-skilled occupations
• TEER 4–5 Pathway for lower-skilled occupations
• Self-Employed Physicians Pathway for eligible physicians practicing in Ontario

Ontario has also announced that additional pathways—including a Priority Healthcare Stream, Entrepreneur Stream, and Exceptional Talent Stream—will be introduced in a future phase.

Ontario Immigration Changes: What's New?

Ontario's latest immigration overhaul represents one of the province's biggest updates to its Provincial Nominee Program in years.

Some of the most important Ontario immigration changes include:

• Introduction of the new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream
• Retirement of previous permanent residence pathways
• New eligibility requirements based on occupation and education
• Updated employer eligibility standards
• New Expression of Interest (EOI) process
• Future immigration pathways planned for healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs, and exceptional talent

Although the new regulations took effect on June 25, 2026, applicants must wait until the OINP officially relaunches its Expression of Interest system before submitting a new application.

Overview of the Three New Ontario Immigration Pathways

The new Ontario immigration stream includes three distinct pathways designed for different categories of workers.

1. TEER 0–3 Pathway

This pathway targets workers employed in occupations that generally require post-secondary education, specialized training, or professional experience.

Examples may include:

• Managers
• Engineers
• IT professionals
• Accountants
• Skilled trades
• Healthcare professionals
• Technologists

Applicants generally need:

• A permanent full-time job offer from an eligible Ontario employer
• Appropriate language proficiency
• Required education
• Relevant work experience or Ontario graduate eligibility
• Professional licensing where applicable

2. TEER 4–5 Pathway

This pathway supports workers employed in occupations that typically require secondary school education or on-the-job training.

Applicants must generally have:

• A permanent full-time job offer
• At least nine months of work experience with the same Ontario employer
• Secondary school education
• Minimum CLB 4 language proficiency
• A wage meeting Ontario's median wage requirements

3. Self-Employed Physicians Pathway

Ontario also introduced a dedicated pathway for eligible physicians who practice independently.

To qualify, physicians must:

• Be licensed and in good standing in Ontario
• Hold an eligible certificate of registration
• Be eligible to bill through the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)

Unlike other pathways, this stream recognizes the unique employment structure of self-employed physicians.

TEER 0–3 Pathway Eligibility Requirements

The TEER 0–3 pathway is designed for higher-skilled occupations.

Applicants generally need to meet several core requirements.

Permanent Job Offer

Applicants must receive:

• A permanent
• Full-time
• Eligible job offer
• From an approved Ontario employer
• In a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation

Language Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate English or French language ability.

Depending on the occupation, applicants generally require either:

• CLB 6, or
• CLB 5

Certain skilled trades occupations may qualify with CLB 5.

Education Requirements

Applicants normally require:

• A post-secondary diploma or degree lasting at least one year

However, important exceptions exist for:

• Certain skilled trades
• Nurse aides
• Recent Ontario graduates

Applicants with foreign education may use an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to demonstrate equivalency.

Work Experience Requirements

Applicants can qualify through either:

Occupational Experience

• Two years of cumulative full-time equivalent work experience within the previous five years

or

Employer-Based Experience

• Six months of consecutive full-time work with the Ontario employer offering the position
• Three months for eligible recent Ontario graduates

Ontario also recognizes certain related occupations when assessing work experience for specific professions such as pharmacy assistants, engineering technicians, and nurse aides.

TEER 4–5 Pathway Requirements

The TEER 4–5 pathway helps Ontario employers retain workers in occupations requiring less formal education but that remain essential to the province's economy.

Applicants generally need:

• Permanent full-time job offer
• Nine months of cumulative work experience with the same employer during the previous two years
• Secondary school diploma or equivalent
• Minimum CLB 4
• Wages meeting the occupation's regional median

This pathway expands opportunities for workers who may not qualify under higher-skilled immigration programs.

Employer Requirements Under the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream

Not every employer can support an application.

Eligible employers must satisfy several business requirements.

These include:

• Operating in Ontario
• Operating for at least three years
• Meeting minimum annual revenue thresholds
• Employing a minimum number of Canadian citizens or permanent residents
• Having no outstanding orders under major Ontario labour legislation

Revenue Requirements

Revenue thresholds vary by location:

• Greater Toronto Area (GTA): $1 million
• Major Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs): $500,000
• Outside GTA and major CMAs: $250,000

Employee Requirements

Employers must employ:

• At least five Canadian citizens or permanent residents within the GTA
• At least three outside the GTA

Job Offer Requirements

A qualifying job offer must also satisfy several conditions.

The position must be:

• Full-time
• Permanent
• Required for the employer's operations
• Primarily performed in Ontario
• Paid at or above the required wage level

In most cases, wages must meet or exceed the regional median wage published by the federal Job Bank.

For certain recent Ontario graduates applying under the TEER 0–3 pathway, lower wage thresholds may apply.

How to Obtain Permanent Residence Through the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream

Once the updated EOI system reopens, the general process will include:

1. Confirm eligibility under one of the new pathways.
2. Obtain an eligible Ontario job offer if required.
3. Submit a new Expression of Interest.
4. Receive an Invitation to Apply.
5. Submit a complete provincial nomination application.
6. Receive provincial nomination.
7. Apply for Canadian permanent residence through IRCC.
8. Receive Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) upon approval.

Applicants applying through enhanced streams linked to Express Entry may experience a different federal processing route than those applying through base provincial nominee streams.

Need Help With Your Ontario PR Application?

The Ontario Workforce Priority Stream introduces significant changes to Ontario's immigration system. Whether you're unsure about your eligibility, preparing your supporting documents, or planning your next immigration step, navigating the new requirements can feel overwhelming.

Foothills Immigration provides personalized guidance from licensed immigration professionals who can help you:

• Assess your eligibility under the new pathways
• Understand employer and job offer requirements
• Prepare a complete and accurate application
• Develop an immigration strategy tailored to your circumstances
• Stay informed about upcoming OINP updates and Expression of Interest openings

Getting professional guidance can help you make informed decisions and avoid common mistakes throughout the application process.