Ontario Launches New Permanent Residence Pathways Through Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program

Canada’s immigration system offers multiple avenues for those seeking to come to Canada, either permanently or temporarily. Although immigration in Canada is handled on the federal level, the provinces and territories have been delegated some authority to operate their own immigration streams through the Provincial Nominee Programs. These programs are popular, as they account for nearly as many permanent resident admissions as federal programs do each year, according to the 2026 Immigration Levels Plan.

Provincial Nominee Programs

The Provincial Nominee Programs allow Canadian provinces and territories to nominate foreign nationals for permanent residence based on the specific needs of the province or territory. In this regard, they allow the provinces and territories the flexibility to tailor the programs and the candidates nominated to their specific labour, economic, and demographic needs. The Programs benefit applicants willing to live in a specific province by allowing them to apply to live there directly. Applicants apply through the specific Program, and if nominated, they are invited to apply for permanent residence.

Recently, some provinces have adopted Expression of Interest systems for their Programs, changing how applicants apply. Also, every province and territory except Quebec and Nunavut has its own Provincial Nominee Program. In late June 2026, Ontario updated its Provincial Nominee Program, which is known as the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program.

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program Update

On June 26, 2026, Ontario updated its Immigrant Nominee Program, which was announced as the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program Redesign Phase 1. Updates and changes to Ontario’s Immigrant Nominee Program occur regularly; however, the June update will have a significant impact on the program and potential nominees due to the scope and breadth of the announced changes. The announced changes took effect on June 25, 2026, so those considering applying for permanent residence through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program should be apprised of the changes and how they may affect potential applicants.

New Stream and Pathways Announced under Ontario Workforce Priority Stream

The June 26 update marked the launch of the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream. This stream replaces the previous streams. As of June 25, 2026, the closed streams include Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker, Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills, Employer Job Offer: International Student, Master’s Graduate, PhD Graduate, Express Entry Human Capital Priorities, Express Entry French-speaking Skilled Worker, and Express Entry Skilled Trades.

The Ontario Workforce Priority Stream includes three pathways, which are the TEER 0-3 Pathway, the Self-Employed Physicians Pathway, and the TEER 4-5 Pathway. TEER refers to the National Occupational Classification system, which classifies professions into different TEERS. The TEER 0-3 Pathway targets workers in higher-skilled occupations, whereas the TEER 4-5 Pathway targets workers in lower-skilled occupations. Each pathway has different eligibility requirements.

TEER 0-3

Applicants to this pathway must have a full-time and permanent job offer in Ontario. The minimum eligibility requirements that are needed to apply under this pathway include demonstrating one of the following:

• Six months consecutive in the last 12 months in the job offer position with the job offer employer;
• For recent Ontario graduates, three months consecutive in the last 12 months in the job offer position with the job offer employer; or
• Two years cumulative in the last five years in the National Occupational Classification occupation.

Licensed applicants are exempt from this requirement.

Further, there is a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) depending on the occupation, and the minimum education requirement is a post-secondary degree or diploma. The announcement further indicates that some occupations may have alternative criteria, so applicants to specific occupations will need to check the regulations under their National Occupational Classification for more details.

TEER 4-5

All workers in TEER 4-5 occupations can apply under this pathway if they have a full-time and permanent job offer in Ontario. The minimum eligibility requirements include 9 months cumulative experience in the last 2 years in the job offer position with the job offer employer, a Canadian Language Benchmark of at least CLB 4, and a minimum education of a Canadian Secondary School Diploma or equivalent.

Notably, lower gross annual revenue requirements apply to employers in rural communities, defined as those within a census division with a population of fewer than 150,000 people.

Self-Employed Physicians Pathway

Unlike the other two pathways, this one allows physicians to qualify without a job offer. To apply, physicians must:

• Be a member in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario;
• Hold a valid certificate of registration in an eligible class: independent, academic or provisional; and
• Be eligible to bill through the Ontario Health Insurance Plan.

Impacts of the Update on Future and Existing Applications

The update impacts those who have already registered an Expression of Interest, and those who wish to do so in the future. Currently, the Expression of Interest system is not open for new applications. The announcement states that it is anticipated to open later this summer, but does not provide a specific date for when the Expression of Interest system will open.

The current Expression of Interest system is closed to new Expressions of Interest, and no further invitations will be issued under the old streams, as they are now considered to be closed. Expressions of Interest and job offers under the old streams that have not resulted in invitations to apply will be automatically withdrawn soon, while platforms are updated, and those impacted will receive notice. Applications submitted after receiving an invitation to apply will continue to be assessed.

The “Phase 1” part of the update implies that more changes are on the way, and the announcement of the updates indicates there will be a Phase 2. Phase 2 will likely include the launch of additional streams; however, there is no indication of when the Phase 2 update will be implemented or exactly what streams will be launched at that time.

Contact Garson Immigration Law in Toronto for Trusted Advice on Provincial Nomination Program Applications

Making any immigration application can be a complicated and lengthy process. It helps to have a legal professional who can assist, especially in the face of updates to programs like the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program.

The Toronto immigration lawyers at Garson Immigration Law are exclusively dedicated to the practice of immigration law. We pride ourselves on finding robust legal solutions to the most challenging immigration situations for businesses and individual clients. Our firm assists with a wide variety of immigration matters, including permanent residence, citizenship, work and study permits, and U.S. immigration. To schedule a confidential consultation, please call 416-321-2860 or reach out online.