Last Updated:July 27, 2026
What is the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream?
The Ontario Workforce Priority stream offers eligible skilled foreign workers with a qualifying job offer and work experience in any National Occupational Classification (NOC) occupation a pathway to apply to permanently live and work in Ontario. The stream is also available to eligible self-employed physicians who do not have a job offer. If you are a skilled foreign worker who meets the stream requirements, your employer must first initiate the process through the employer portal. You can then register an expression of interest.
Ontario Workforce Priority Stream Requirements (Applicant)
The main requirements that applicants (workers) must meet to apply under the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream are as follows:
Work Experience
Work experience requirements vary depending on the NOC skill level (TEER category).
| Skill Level (TEER) | Occupation Examples / Requirements |
|---|---|
| TEER 0 | Management occupations |
| TEER 1 | Professional occupations (usually requires a university degree) |
| TEER 2 | Supervisory & technical occupations (usually requires college diploma or apprenticeship) |
| TEER 3 | Technical occupations (usually requires college diploma or 6+ months on-the-job training) |
| TEER 4 | Intermediate occupations (usually requires high school diploma or several weeks training) |
| TEER 5 | Labor occupations (usually requires short work demonstration only) |
For Skill Levels (TEER) 0, 1, 2, 3
- Have at least 6 months of continuous, paid, full-time work experience in the eligible occupation with the offering employer within the 12 months prior to application.
- Full-time work experience definition: 30 hours per week (3 months = 390 hours, 6 months = 780 hours, 2 years = 3,120 hours).
- For graduates of an eligible Ontario institution within the past 3 years: Have at least 3 months of continuous, paid, full-time work experience in the eligible occupation with the offering employer within the 12 months prior to application.
- Must hold a degree or diploma from at least 2 years of full-time post-secondary study, an Ontario College Graduate Certificate, Master’s degree, or PhD.
- Have at least 2 years of cumulative paid, full-time work experience (or equivalent part-time) in the same occupation (same NOC code) as the job offer within the past 5 years. (Part-time options: at least 15 hours/week in one job totaling 3,120 hours over 4 years, or 30+ hours/week in multiple jobs totaling 3,120 hours over 2 years).
- Engineers/Technologists (Sub-Major Group 213) can count experience as technical professionals (Sub-Major Group 223).
- Pharmacists (NOC 31120) can count experience as pharmacy technical assistants.
- Nurse Aides (NOC 33102) can count experience as licensed practical or registered nurses.
- Hold the mandatory license or certification issued by Ontario or the federal government if required for the occupation.
- Exception: Transport truck drivers (NOC 73300) and bus/transit operators (NOC 73301) must have at least 6 months of continuous full-time work experience within the past 1 year without exception, regardless of licensing or graduate status.
For Skill Levels (TEER) 4, 5
Have at least 9 months of cumulative full-time work experience in the job offer occupation within the 2 years prior to application. 9 months of full-time work means working at least 1,170 hours within a 12-month period at 30+ hours per week.
Language Proficiency
Language proficiency requirements (CLB levels) vary depending on the NOC skill level (TEER category). Test scores from IELTS or CELPIP are converted to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels for permanent residency evaluation. Achieving a higher CLB level is a major advantage in securing PR status. Understanding your CLB level and setting an appropriate target is essential.
For Skill Levels (TEER) 0, 1, 2, 3
Demonstrate a minimum score of CLB 5 for skilled trades occupations, or CLB 6 for non-skilled trades occupations, on an IRCC-designated English or French test taken within 2 years prior to application. Language test scores are exempt for applicants who graduated from an eligible Ontario institution within the past 3 years with one of the following credentials:
- Degree or diploma from at least 2 years of full-time post-secondary study
- Ontario College Graduate Certificate
- Master’s degree
- Doctoral degree (PhD)
Skilled Trades Occupations
- Major Group 72 – Technical trades and transportation offices and controllers (excluding occupations under Sub-Major Group 726)
- Major Group 73 – General trades
- Major Group 82 – Supervisors in natural resources, agriculture and related production
- Major Group 83 – Occupations in natural resources and related production
- Major Group 93 – Central control and process operators and aircraft assembly assemblers and inspectors (excluding aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors under Sub-Major Group 932)
- Minor Group 6320 – Cooks, butchers, bakers
- Unit Group 62200 – Chefs
| Test | Language | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 6 | IELTS | English | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| CELPIP | English | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | |
| PTE Core | English | 51-59 | 60-68 | 50-59 | 59-67 | |
| TEF Test date on or after Dec 11, 2023 |
French | 393-433 | 379-427 | 393-433 | 422-455 | |
| TEF Test date Oct 1, 2019 – Dec 10, 2023 |
French | 400-499 | 400-499 | 400-499 | 400-499 | |
| TCF | French | 406-452 | 7-9 | 398-457 | 7-9 |
| Test | Language | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 5 | IELTS | English | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| CELPIP | English | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | |
| PTE Core | English | 42-50 | 51-59 | 39-49 | 51-58 | |
| TEF Test date on or after Dec 11, 2023 |
French | 352-392 | 330-378 | 352-392 | 387-421 | |
| TEF Test date Oct 1, 2019 – Dec 10, 2023 |
French | 350-399 | 350-399 | 350-399 | 350-399 | |
| TCF | French | 375-405 | 6.0 | 369-397 | 6.0 |
For Skill Levels (TEER) 4, 5
Demonstrate a minimum score of CLB 4 on an IRCC-designated English or French test taken within 2 years prior to application.
| Test | Language | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 4 | IELTS | English | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| CELPIP | English | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | |
| PTE Core | English | 33-41 | 41-50 | 28-38 | 42-50 | |
| TEF Test date on or after Dec 11, 2023 |
French | 306-351 | 268-329 | 306-351 | 328-386 | |
| TEF Test date Oct 1, 2019 – Dec 10, 2023 |
French | 300-349 | 300-349 | 300-349 | 300-349 | |
| TCF | French | 342-374 | 4-5 | 331-368 | 4-5 |
Education
Educational requirements vary based on the skill level (TEER category) and specific occupation.
For Skill Levels (TEER) 0, 1, 2, 3
- For non-skilled trades occupations: Completion of at least 1 year of post-secondary education (minimum 15 hours per week over 2 semesters).
- For skilled trades occupations: Minimum high school completion or higher.
- For NOC 33102 (Nurse aides): Proof of completion of an Ontario College Certificate program of at least 1 year full-time.
- For regulated occupations: Holding mandatory licensing/certification can substitute for proof of education (※Except for NOC 73300 Transport truck drivers and NOC 73301 Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators).
For Skill Levels (TEER) 4, 5
Completion of secondary school (high school) education or higher is required.
【Important Note】
For education completed outside Canada, an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report from an IRCC-designated organization must be submitted.
Job Offer
- Hold a full-time, permanent job offer from an Ontario employer (※Permanent means an indeterminate contract with no end date).
- The position must be urgent and necessary for the employer’s business operations.
- The position must not affect the settlement of any labor dispute.
- The offered wage must meet or exceed the prevailing wage rate for the occupation in the location of employment, meeting at least:
- Median wage
- Low wage: ※Applies only to Ontario graduates with a job offer in TEER 0–3 occupations
- The employer must be registered with the Ontario PNP and have received approval for the position.
Valid Licensing and Certification
If applying in an occupation that requires professional licensing or certification, you must hold a valid license in Ontario or Canada from the time of application until nomination is issued.
Legal Status in Canada
If applying from within Canada, you must hold valid legal temporary status, such as:
- Visitor Record
- Study Permit
- Work Permit
- Maintained Status (waiting for a decision after applying to extend status before expiry)
Intention to Reside in Ontario
You must demonstrate your intention to reside and work in Ontario after obtaining permanent residence. Assessment factors include:
- Ontario work experience or current employment
- Job applications, interviews, or job offers in Ontario
- Education or volunteer history in Ontario
- Lease agreements or property ownership in Ontario
- Travel or visit history to Ontario
- Professional ties, family, or personal relationships in Ontario
Special Exemption for Self-Employed Physicians
Self-employed physicians meeting the following criteria may apply to the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream without meeting certain other program requirements:
- Eligible to receive payment for publicly funded healthcare services under the Health Insurance Act, 1990 (holding an OHIP billing number)
- A member in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, holding an independent practice, academic practice, or provisional certificate
※Physicians holding a postgraduate education licence cannot apply as self-employed physicians, but may be eligible if they hold a job offer from an Ontario employer.
Ontario Workforce Priority Stream Requirements (Employer)
- Must have been in active business for at least 3 years prior to applying
- The work location where the applicant will be employed must be located in Ontario
- The company must comply with all provincial employment, health, safety, and legal regulations (must have no outstanding orders under the Ontario Employment Standards Act, 2000 or the Occupational Health and Safety Act)
- If based and operating in the Greater Toronto Area (City of Toronto, Durham, Halton, York, and Peel regions), the company must have a minimum gross annual revenue of $1,000,000 for the most recently completed fiscal year
- If based and operating in the following municipalities, the company must have a minimum gross annual revenue of $500,000 for the most recently completed fiscal year:
- Ottawa (census division)
- Waterloo (regional municipality)
- Hamilton (census division)
- Simcoe (county)
- Middlesex (county)
- Niagara (regional municipality)
- Essex (county)
- Wellington (county)
- Greater Sudbury / Grand Sudbury (census division)
- Frontenac (county)
- Brant (census division)
- Peterborough (county)
- Hastings (county)
- Thunder Bay (district)
- If based and operating in areas outside of those specified above, the company must have a minimum gross annual revenue of $250,000 in each of the last two completed fiscal years
- If based and operating in the Greater Toronto Area (City of Toronto, Durham, Halton, York, and Peel regions), the work location must employ at least 5 full-time employees who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents (PR)
- If based and operating outside the Greater Toronto Area, the work location must employ at least 3 full-time employees who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents (PR)
- For applicants residing outside of Canada or outside of Ontario, the employer must demonstrate prior recruitment efforts to hire Canadian citizens or permanent residents, unless the employer holds an approved LMIA confirmation letter for the specified NOC
Ontario Workforce Priority Stream Application Process
01Employer Registers the Job Offer on the OINP Employer Portal
Before the applicant can register an Expression of Interest (EOI), the employer must register the job offer on the OINP Employer Portal. Upon registration, a Job Offer ID will be issued.
02Register an Expression of Interest (EOI) via OINP e-Filing Portal
The applicant must use the Job Offer ID issued in step 01 to register an Expression of Interest within 30 calendar days. Based on the registered profile, a score (out of 200 points maximum) is calculated, and the profile enters the selection pool.
03Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
An Invitation to Apply (ITA) is an invitation granting permission to apply to the OINP. Only after receiving an ITA can you submit your application documents. The OINP conducts regular selection draws, issuing ITAs to top-ranking candidates in the pool. If you do not receive an ITA, your profile remains in the selection pool for up to 1 year.
04Submit Online Application to OINP
Once an ITA is received, the employer must complete their portion within 14 calendar days, and the applicant must complete and submit their online application to the OINP processing office within 17 calendar days. The applicant cannot submit their application until the employer completes their submission.
05Receive Provincial Nomination
Once the OINP processing office completes the assessment of your application, the decision will be communicated to you. An approved application results in receiving a provincial nomination certificate.
06Submit Permanent Residence Application to IRCC
Within 6 months of nomination, the applicant must submit an online application for Permanent Residence (Provincial Nominee Class) to IRCC.
If applying via Express Entry:
If nominated under an Express Entry-aligned option, you will have 30 days to accept or decline the nomination in your Express Entry profile. Accepting the nomination adds 600 additional CRS points. Once you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for PR from IRCC, you must submit your online PR application via Express Entry within 60 calendar days.
07Application Processing by IRCC
Once your PR application is submitted and approved by IRCC, a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR) document will be issued to complete the PR application processing.
08Landing
Upon PR approval, applicants inside Canada can download their CoPR online (virtual landing) and officially gain PR status. Applicants outside Canada must follow the process to receive physical CoPR documents and arrive in Canada before the visa expiration date.
09Receive PR Card
Within a few months after landing, your physical PR card will be delivered to your designated mailing address in Canada.
Related Columns
Date Posted:May 28, 2026
What Is the Proposed “High-Wage Occupation Factor”? Understanding IRCC’s Planned Express Entry Reform
Date Posted:May 20, 2026
Express Entry Reform Latest Developments and IRCC Stakeholder Webinar Report
Related News
Looking to obtain permanent residence or a visa?
Consult with us now!
Applying for permanent residence or a visa to Canada on your own can be overwhelming due to the large number of required documents, and you may feel uncertain about whether everything is correct. However, if you're serious about immigrating to Canada, we strongly recommend seeking the support of an immigration consultant. There are many pathways to obtaining permanent residence, depending on factors such as your age, occupation, and family status. With the help of an expert, you can ensure that you plan the right approach tailored to your specific situation.
A professional immigration consultant will help solve your concerns
Get a free Counseling now
From immigration planning to application submission,
everything is completed with shiraishi Visa JP Canada
Consulting with an immigration consultant makes the process clearer and much smoother. You’ll feel more confident with document submissions and procedures, significantly reducing the risk of mistakes. Take the first step toward your Canadian dream with the guidance of an expert.
