OINP Releases Eligibility Requirements for the New Ontario Workforce Priority Stream

The Ontario Workforce Priority Stream is a new provincial immigration stream that replaces several previous OINP streams, including the Employer Job Offer, Masters Graduate, and PhD Graduate streams.

The new stream consists of the following three pathways:

• TEER 0–3 Pathway
• TEER 4–5 Pathway
• Self-employed Physicians Pathway

Most applicants will require a valid job offer from an eligible Ontario employer.

The main eligibility requirements include the following.

General Requirements

• Have a valid job offer from an eligible Ontario employer (except for the Self-employed Physicians Pathway).
• Meet the required work experience criteria.
• Meet the applicable wage requirements for the occupation.
• Be authorized to work in Canada.

TEER 0–3 Pathway

Key requirements include:

• Generally, applicants must have worked full-time for the same employer in the same position for at least six consecutive months within the 12 months immediately before applying.
• In certain circumstances, applicants may also qualify with at least two years of experience in the same NOC occupation within the past five years.
• Demonstrate English or French language proficiency at CLB 6 or higher.
• Hold any required licences or certifications for the occupation, where applicable.

TEER 4–5 Pathway

Key requirements include:

• Have at least nine months of work experience with the same employer within the past two years.
• Demonstrate English or French language proficiency at CLB 4 or higher.
• Have at least a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Hold a job offer that meets the applicable regional wage requirements.

Self-employed Physicians Pathway

Eligible physicians are not required to have a job offer but must meet requirements such as:

• Holding an eligible licence issued by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO).
• Maintaining registration in good standing with the CPSO.
• Being eligible to bill the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).

Employers offering a job under the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream must also meet certain eligibility requirements.

The main requirements include:

• The business must have been in active operation for at least three years.
• The applicant’s work location must be in Ontario.
• The employer must comply with all applicable employment, health and safety, and other legal requirements.
• If the work location is within the Greater Toronto Area (City of Toronto, Durham, Halton, York, or Peel Region), the employer must have generated at least $1 million in gross annual revenue during the most recent fiscal year and employ at least five full-time Canadian citizens or permanent residents at the work location.
• If the work location is outside the Greater Toronto Area, the employer must have generated at least $500,000 in gross annual revenue during the most recent fiscal year and employ at least three full-time Canadian citizens or permanent residents at the work location.
• If the applicant resides outside Canada or outside Ontario, the employer must have conducted recruitment efforts targeting Canadian citizens and permanent residents before making the job offer.
• The employer must submit the job offer through the Employer Portal.

After an applicant receives an Invitation to Apply (ITA), the employer will also be required to submit the necessary employment information within the prescribed timeframe.

The Ontario Workforce Priority Stream Expression of Interest (EOI) system is expected to begin accepting registrations later this summer.

We will soon publish a comprehensive guide explaining the detailed eligibility requirements and who may qualify under this new stream on our OINP information page:

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