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Updated: August 5, 2026
Ontario has officially launched the Employer Portal for the new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream and introduced major changes.
Employers can now create and submit new job offers through the portal. Once the job offer is submitted, the eligible candidate will receive a Job Offer ID and can use it to register a new Expression of Interest (EOI).
This is an important update for candidates who previously had an EOI under one of the former OINP streams, as a new job offer and a new EOI are required under the new system.
Ontario closed the following former OINP streams:
These streams have been replaced under Phase 1 of the OINP redesign by the new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream.
The new stream currently includes three pathways:
Ontario has described these changes as the first phase of a two-phase redesign. Details and timing for Phase 2 have not yet been announced.
Official source: 2026 Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program updates
An EOI registered under one of the former OINP streams will not automatically transfer to the new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream.
EOIs and employer job offers that did not result in an invitation under the former streams are being withdrawn.
To enter the new selection pool, the employer and employee must start a new process.
However, applications that were already submitted after receiving an invitation under a former stream will continue to be assessed under the rules that applied when the application was submitted.
For the TEER 0–3 and TEER 4–5 pathways, the employee cannot create an EOI before the employer submits the job offer.
The correct process is as follows.
Before submitting anything, both the employer and the employee should confirm that they meet the requirements of the new stream.
A job offer alone does not make someone eligible.
The employer must use the OINP Employer Portal to submit a new job offer for the employee.
OINP uses the term “job offer” even when the employee is already working for the employer.
An employer that already has an Employer Portal account may not need to register the business again. However, the employer must submit a new job offer under the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream.
After the employer submits the job offer, the employee should receive an email containing a Job Offer ID.
The employee must use the Job Offer ID and the email address connected to the employer’s submission to register a new Expression of Interest.
The employee must register the EOI within 30 calendar days from the date the employer submits the job offer.
If the employee does not register the EOI within 30 calendar days, the job offer may expire in the OINP system. The employer may then need to submit another job offer before the employee can register an EOI.
Official source: OINP application and Expression of Interest process
There is no government fee to register an Expression of Interest.
The applicant pays a government application fee only after receiving an invitation and submitting a complete OINP nomination application.
The application fee is currently:
The Greater Toronto Area includes Toronto and the regions of Durham, Halton, Peel and York.
This pathway is for workers who have a qualifying full-time and permanent job offer in Ontario in a TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupation.
The applicant generally needs to meet at least one of the following work-experience or licensing options.
The applicant may qualify with:
An eligible recent Ontario graduate may qualify with at least three consecutive months of paid, full-time experience in the offered position, gained while lawfully residing and working in Ontario.
The applicant may also qualify with at least two years of cumulative, paid, full-time experience in the same NOC occupation during the previous five years.
Equivalent part-time experience may also be considered.
Special rules may apply to certain engineering, nursing, pharmacy and transportation occupations.
An applicant may qualify if they hold the mandatory Ontario or Canadian licence or authorization required to work in the offered position.
Applicants qualifying through mandatory licensing may be exempt from some of the usual work-experience or education requirements. However, occupation-specific conditions may still apply.
The applicant generally needs:
Certain eligible recent Ontario graduates may be exempt from providing a language test.
For most TEER 0–3 applicants, the minimum education is generally:
Different education rules or exemptions may apply to skilled trades, regulated occupations and applicants qualifying through mandatory licensing.
Official source: Ontario Workforce Priority Stream
This pathway is for workers who have a qualifying full-time and permanent Ontario job offer in a TEER 4 or TEER 5 occupation.
This pathway may create opportunities for workers in occupations that were not covered by some of the former OINP employer job-offer streams.
Eligible self-employed physicians may apply without an employer job offer.
The physician generally needs:
This special self-employment option applies to eligible physicians. Other self-employed professionals and independent contractors generally cannot qualify without a valid employer-employee relationship.
Official source: Ontario Workforce Priority Stream applicant checklist
Before submitting a job offer, the employer should confirm that the business meets all OINP requirements.
The employer generally must:
The job offer must generally be:
The revenue requirement depends on where the employee will work or report to work.
The employer generally needs:
Employers should confirm the exact revenue category that applies to their work location.
Official source: OINP employer guide
The offered wage must generally meet or exceed the applicable median wage for the occupation and work location.
A different wage rule may apply to certain eligible recent Ontario graduates.
If the applicant is already working for the employer in the offered position, the offered wage must generally also be equal to or higher than the wage the employer currently pays the applicant.
Registering an EOI does not mean that the person has submitted an OINP application.
It also does not guarantee that the person will receive an invitation.
OINP may issue general or targeted invitations based on Ontario’s labour-market priorities.
If the employee receives an invitation:
If the employer misses the 14-day deadline, the job offer may be withdrawn and the employee’s EOI may be removed from the selection pool.
Before starting the new OINP process:
The NOC code, wage and other job information entered by the employer will be used in the employee’s EOI.
If the employer enters incorrect information, the employer may need to withdraw the job offer and submit a new one. The employee may also need to register a new EOI.
The Ontario Workforce Priority Stream may create new opportunities for workers in different TEER categories, recent Ontario graduates and eligible physicians.
However, having an Ontario job offer does not automatically make someone eligible. Both the employer and employee must meet the program requirements, and registering an EOI does not guarantee an invitation.
Dayana Immigration Services Inc. provides professional support to individuals and employers looking for an experienced immigration consultant Alberta applicants can rely on for clear guidance on OINP, Express Entry, provincial nominee programs and other Canadian immigration pathways.
For assistance with eligibility assessment, NOC confirmation, employer requirements and the OINP application process, contact Dayana Immigration Services Inc.
This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration rules and portal availability may change. Each employer’s and applicant’s eligibility should be assessed individually.
