Ontario PNP 2026 - Ontario Workforce Priority Stream Launched

Step 1: "Secure an Ontario Job Offer in Your NOC"

Both the TEER 0-3 and TEER 4-5 pathways require a valid Ontario job offer. The job offer must be from an eligible Ontario employer in the correct NOC for your pathway. Your employer must be registered in the OINP employer portal. Confirm your TEER level before approaching employers so you know which pathway applies and what language and credential requirements you must meet.

Step 2: "Confirm Your Eligibility Pathway"

TEER 0-3 requires CLB 6 in all four skills and a post-secondary degree or diploma. TEER 4-5 requires CLB 4 and a Canadian secondary school diploma or equivalent, plus 9 months cumulative experience in the last 2 years in the same occupation as the job offer. Getting your TEER wrong means applying under the wrong pathway with the wrong requirements - book an assessment to confirm your correct pathway before investing in language testing or credential preparation.

Step 3: "Have Your Employer Register in the OINP Portal"

The OINP Employer Portal registration can take several days for employers doing it for the first time. Your employer needs to provide Ontario business registration, CRA business number, NAICS code, financial documents, and signing officer information. This should happen now, in parallel with your EOI registration. Employers who are already registered can submit job offers as soon as an invitation is issued.

Step 4: "Submit Your EOI - the Portal Is Open Now"

The Ontario Workforce Priority EOI portal reopened on August 4, 2026 and is open now, so you and your employer can submit your EOIs today. Ontario will then run draws and issue invitations to candidates who meet the pathway requirements - no draws have been held under the new stream yet. A strict application window (similar to the 17-day deadline under former streams) is expected to apply once invitations begin; specific deadlines will be confirmed at that time. The OINP application fee is CAD $1,500 (non-refundable).

Step 5: "OINP Reviews Your Application"

OINP processing timelines for the Workforce Priority stream have not yet been published, since no invitations have been issued under the new stream. Under former streams, processing typically took 90-180 days. OINP may request additional documents during review.

Step 6: "Receive Provincial Nomination and Federal PR"

If approved, you receive a Nomination Letter. For Express Entry-aligned pathways, IRCC adds +600 CRS points to your profile — in recent draws, well above every published cutoff (IRCC sets the cutoff each round). After the ITA, you have 60 days to submit your federal PR application to IRCC. Federal processing takes approximately 6 months. VMC assists with both the OINP application and the federal PR application.

Step 1: "Confirm CPSO Good Standing Registration"

Your CPSO registration must be in good standing - full certificate or provisional certificate. If you are an internationally trained physician pursuing CPSO registration, confirm your registration status and whether your certificate is acceptable for the OINP Workforce Priority pathway. VMC advises on CPSO registration documentation requirements.

Step 2: "Confirm OHIP Eligibility"

You must be OHIP-eligible. This means you are eligible to bill OHIP for medical services in Ontario. Gather your OHIP eligibility documentation and any correspondence confirming your eligibility status.

Step 3: "Prepare Your OINP Application Package"

Unlike the employer-required pathways, you do not need a job offer. Instead, gather:

• CPSO registration certificate (full or provisional)
• OHIP eligibility documentation
• Evidence of Ontario practice location or intended practice location
• Evidence of medical practice (billing records, clinic letters)
• NOC must be 31100, 31101, or 31102

Step 4: "Submit Your EOI - the Portal Is Open Now"

The Ontario Workforce Priority EOI portal reopened on August 4, 2026 and is open now, so physicians can submit their EOI today. The application fee is CAD $1,500 (non-refundable). OINP reviews the application and, if approved, issues a Nomination Letter. If the pathway is Express Entry-aligned, IRCC adds +600 CRS points and a federal ITA follows at the next draw. Federal PR processing takes approximately 6 months.