Ontario’s New Workforce Priority Stream: TEER 0-3, TEER 4-5, and Self-Employed Physicians Explained

If You’re Targeting Ontario, Everything Changed in 2026

In June 2026, Ontario’s immigration program underwent its biggest restructuring in years. Eight streams disappeared. One new pathway emerged: the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream (OWPS). If you’re an international worker, international graduate, or healthcare professional aiming for Ontario permanent residence, you’re now navigating a completely different system—and many candidates don’t yet understand how it works.

Here’s what you need to know about Ontario’s new structure, how to qualify, and where you fit in this streamlined landscape.

What Streams Closed (And Why This Matters)

Ontario’s old system offered multiple routes into provincial nomination:

• 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
• Express Entry: Skilled Trades

All eight are now closed. Ontario consolidated them into a single, points-based system that evaluates candidates more consistently. The upside: clearer criteria and faster processing. The downside: if you were counting on a specific stream, your pathway just changed.

If you submitted an application under the old system before June 26, 2026, it may still be assessed under legacy rules. But any new applications must go through the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream.

Meet the New Ontario Workforce Priority Stream (OWPS)

The Ontario Workforce Priority Stream is points-based and uses an Expression of Interest (EOI) system. Here’s how it works: you create an EOI profile on the OINP portal, and Ontario’s system scores your profile based on factors like education, work experience, language ability, and job offer details. If you score high enough, you’ll receive an invitation to apply for nomination.

Within the OWPS, there are three distinct pathways, each with different requirements.

Pathway 1: TEER 0-3 (Skilled Occupations)

Who it’s for: International workers and graduates in skilled occupations—managers, engineers, nurses, accountants, software developers, and other professionals classified as TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3. (TEER is Canada’s occupational classification system; 0-3 includes the most skilled roles.)

Work Experience Requirement: You must have a valid job offer in a TEER 0-3 role, plus one of the following:

• Six months of continuous, paid work in your job offer position in the last 12 months (including Canadian experience), OR
• Equivalent experience in a related role in your home country (at your employer’s discretion), OR
• A combination of Canadian and international experience totaling at least six months

Language Requirement: Canadian Language Benchmark 6 (CLB 6) or higher in English or French. For most candidates, this means:

• IELTS: 6.5 or higher overall
• TOEFL iBT: 78 or higher
• TEF: 400+ on the updated test

Education Requirement: A post-secondary credential (diploma, degree, or certificate from a recognized institution). You must have this credential evaluated through an approved service.

Score & Selection: Your EOI profile is scored on language (up to 15 points), education, work experience in Canada, job offer details, and other factors. Ontario invites the highest-scoring candidates to apply.

Pathway 2: TEER 4-5 (Semi-Skilled and Low-Skilled Occupations)

Who it’s for: International workers in lower-skilled roles—retail supervisors, agricultural workers, personal care aides, food service supervisors, and other TEER 4-5 occupations.

Work Experience Requirement: A valid job offer in a TEER 4-5 role, plus:

• Nine months of cumulative, paid work experience in your job offer position (or a related role) within the last two years, OR
• A combination of Canadian work experience and experience from your home country

Language Requirement: Canadian Language Benchmark 4 (CLB 4) or higher. This is significantly lower than the TEER 0-3 pathway:

• IELTS: 4.5 or higher overall
• TOEFL iBT: 35 or higher
• TEF: 151+ on the updated test

Education Requirement: High school diploma or equivalent. You don’t need post-secondary education for TEER 4-5 roles.

Score & Selection: Similar points-based EOI scoring, but with adjusted weightings for lower-skilled roles.

Pathway 3: Self-Employed Physicians

Who it’s for: Licensed physicians licensed to practice in Ontario and registered with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) in eligible registration categories (e.g., independent practice, family medicine, specialties).

Key Requirement: You must be in good standing with CPSO and meet their registration standards for independent or self-employed practice.

No Job Offer Required: Unlike the other two pathways, physicians do not need an employer job offer. However, you must demonstrate your eligibility to practice medicine independently in Ontario.

Selection: Ontario reviews physician EOI profiles separately from the broader OWPS population, with assessment focused on credentials, registration status, and practice history.

What Happens if You’re Nominated

Once you receive an invitation to apply for nomination (after passing the EOI scoring stage), you’ll submit a formal application with supporting documents: credentials evaluation, work experience letters, language test results, police certificates, and medical exam results. Ontario typically processes nominations within 4-6 months of receiving a complete application.

After Ontario nominates you, you apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence. This federal stage usually takes 6-8 months.

Key Takeaway: Clarity with Higher Thresholds

Ontario’s new system is more transparent and consistent than the old eight-stream model. But it also comes with higher language and education benchmarks. If you’re in a TEER 0-3 role, you’ll need CLB 6 (well above the federal minimum). If you’re in TEER 4-5, CLB 4 is more accessible, but you still need nine months of cumulative work experience.

The big picture: Ontario is prioritizing skilled workers and healthcare professionals who can immediately contribute to the labor market. The points-based EOI system rewards strong language ability, Canadian work experience, and credential evaluation.

If you’re planning an Ontario nomination application, now is the time to get your language test results, work experience letters, and credentials evaluation in order. The system is live, invitations are being issued, and the scoring criteria are published on Ontario.ca.

Next Steps

Ready to explore whether you qualify for Ontario’s new system? Here’s what to do right now:

1. Identify your TEER classification: Visit Canada.ca’s National Occupational Classification tool and search your job title to confirm your TEER level.
2. Get a language test: Take IELTS, TOEFL iBT, or TEF and aim for CLB 6 if you’re in TEER 0-3, or CLB 4 for TEER 4-5.
3. Request a credentials evaluation: Submit your educational credentials to an approved evaluator (ECA) recognized by Ontario.
4. Document your work experience: Gather letters from previous employers detailing job title, dates, and duties.
5. Secure a job offer: Work with a Canadian employer in your target TEER category to get an official offer letter for your EOI profile.

The Ontario Workforce Priority Stream is competitive, but it’s also the single pathway now available for Ontario provincial nomination. Understanding the three pathways, your TEER category, and the scoring criteria is your first step toward permanent residence.

Have questions about whether you qualify for Ontario or which pathway fits your profile? Email us at hello@bisonimmigration.com to get started or ask a question.