Workforce Priority Stream 3 Pathways

OINP isn’t dead in 2026, it’s alive and actively taking stock of its streams and reevaluating the pathways to reflect latest Immigration Refugee and Protection Act (IRPA) changes. The previous 8 streams are being replaced by the new 3 pathways that form the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream (OWPS). There are 3 pathways divided by TEER categories. For example, the first pathway is for jobs fitting into TEER 0-3, the second is for TEER 4-5 positions, and the third pathway is for Self-Employed Physicians who need no job offer. TEER levels 0 to 3 include restaurant managers (TEER 0), software engineers (TEER 1), licensed electricians (TEER 2), and transport truck drivers (TEER 3).

TEER 0–3 Workforce Eligibility Criteria

This is the first pathway for the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream (OWPS). This work-based pathway to PR in Ontario has more requirements than the other 2 pathways. Work experience for this pathway requires 6 months of continuous work in the role that falls within TEER 0-3. The qualifying 6 months of work experience must fall within a 12 month range that starts from the date of your applications and goes back 12 months in time. If you are a recent Ontario graduate you get a break on the work experience requirements. For example, 3 months of continuous work experience is required for recent Ontario graduates applying for the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream. The work experience requirement for this stream has a little flexibility in applying time calculation rules. For example, the range can change from 12 months to 5 years and end from the date you signed your application and start from 5 years preceding this date. Then the work experience must be a continuous 2 years and fall within this 5 year range to qualify for the TEER 0-3 Pathway for the Workforce Priority Stream. For the 6 month and 3 months work experience requirements, the hours must be full time with a minimum of 30 hours a week while the 5 year range experience can be full time or part-time that adds up to 2 years. CLB Language scores must be in the higher 5 and 6 score categories for the TEER 0-3 pathways. Education requirements are outlined whether the TEER is 0, 1, 2, or 3.

TEER 4–5 Workforce Eligibility Criteria

At the TEER 4-5 pathway to the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream the requirements get a little lighter. For example, an applicant’s education can be from anywhere in the world, however it must be equivalent to a Canadian High School Diploma. So, we might see younger applicants applying for this Workforce Priority Stream Pathway which means getting to PR in Canada faster than other pathways. The applicant will need a ECA report to have any foreign educational credentials evaluated to verify equivalence to a Canadian HighSchool Diploma. For the work experience requirements for the TEER 4-5 Pathway for the Workforce Priority Stream, the range is 2 years ending on your application date and rewinding in time 2 years to the start of the range. 9 months of work experience must be obtained during the 2 year derived range. This pathway still requires competent scores in the CLB level 4 scoring categories for English Language proficiency.

Self-Employed Physician Workforce Eligibility Criteria

For Physicians applying for the Specialized Doctor Pathway to Ontario Workforce Priority, we see the lightest requirements. The education, experience, and language rules don’t apply for an application context. If the Doctor is licensed and is approved for billing the government for healthcare services then, the applicant just needs to apply for this pathway. If you are a Doctor wanting to come into Canada, you will find a more smooth and streamlined process.