Maple News reports that Ontario has unveiled the first set of pathways in its overhaul of the provincial immigration program, launching the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream with three routes to permanent residence: TEER 0-3 for higher-skilled occupations, TEER 4-5 for lower-skilled roles, and a self-employed physicians pathway. The changes take effect immediately, but applicants must wait for the province to relaunch its Expression of Interest (EOI) system before being considered. The announcements were published on June 26, 2026.
Under the TEER 0-3 pathway, qualifying applicants must have a full-time, permanent job offer from an eligible Ontario employer, plus a post-secondary credential. Language requirements align with the occupation’s needs (Canadian Language Benchmark CLB 6 or CLB 5). In addition, applicants must meet at least one of three criteria: licensing to work in a regulated Ontario profession; at least two years of cumulative work experience in the same occupation within the past five years; or minimum consecutive work experience within the past 12 months in the same job with the same employer—six months for most applicants, or three months for recent graduates from Ontario postsecondary institutions.
The TEER 4-5 pathway, designed for lower-skilled positions, requires a full-time, permanent job offer from an eligible Ontario employer paying at least the occupation’s median wage. Applicants must have at least nine months of cumulative work experience in the past two years in the same job with the same employer, plus a secondary school diploma or equivalent, and a language requirement of CLB 4.
For the Self-Employed Physicians pathway, applicants must be licensed and in good standing as a physician in Ontario, with a valid certificate of registration as an independent, academic, or provisional practitioner, and be eligible to bill through OHIP. Licensing is administered by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, and OHIP-billing requirements are published online by the province.
Ontario’s new streams are effective immediately, but the re-opening of the Expression of Interest system remains pending. The province did not provide a date for when EOIs will resume. Maple News will continue to track developments and provide updates as more details emerge for prospective applicants and Ontario employers.