What the Ontario Workforce Priority stream is
The OWP stream is the only open OINP route after the June 2026 redesign. It consolidates the old employer job offer framework into one stream with two categories: TEER 0–3 (management, professional and technical occupations) and TEER 4–5 (intermediate and support occupations, replacing the old In-Demand Skills stream). Both categories run on a single employer job offer framework with a scored Expression of Interest pool.
TL;DR
- OWP is the only open OINP stream — TEER 0–3 and TEER 4–5 categories.
- A genuine, full-time Ontario job offer from a compliant employer is required.
- EOIs are scored: TEER, wage, earnings history, Ontario experience, education, language, job location.
- Northern and rural job offers earn extra regional points.
- No OWP draws had run as of late October 2026; the EOI portal opened August 4, 2026.
Job offer and employer requirements
The job offer must be full-time, permanent, and in a genuine occupation at a real Ontario workplace. Your employer must be established in Ontario, and the offered wage must meet the stream minimum for your TEER level. Employers also have obligations in the OINP employer portal — registration, offer posting and compliance. Our employer guide covers the employer side in detail.
EOI scoring factors
- TEER level of the occupation — higher TEER categories earn more points.
- Hourly wage — above the stream minimum, higher wages score more.
- Annual earnings history — a new $80,000+ top bracket added in October 2026 earns 10 points.
- Ontario work experience with the offering employer — accumulated months score increasingly.
- Education — Canadian credentials and ECAs.
- Language ability — CLB levels.
- Job location — northern and rural offers earn more regional points.
How it differs from the closed streams
The old Foreign Worker stream handled most TEER 0–3 job offers, and In-Demand Skills handled TEER 4–5. OWP merges them with a stricter scoring model and targeted invitation authority. The old graduate streams required no job offer; OWP requires one. That is the biggest change for graduates — see our student stream successor page.
Timelines
Ontario has not published OWP processing times yet. The EOI portal opened August 4, 2026, and no draws had run as of late October 2026. Once draws begin, expect competitive cut-offs in the first rounds — and a nomination is only stage one: IRCC makes the final PR decision afterwards.
What is the Ontario Workforce Priority stream?
It is the only open OINP stream after the June 2026 redesign, with TEER 0–3 and TEER 4–5 categories under one employer job offer framework and a scored EOI pool.
Does OWP require a job offer?
Yes. A genuine, full-time, permanent Ontario job offer from a compliant employer is required in both categories.
When will OWP draws start?
Ontario has not published a date. The EOI portal opened August 4, 2026, and no invitations had been issued as of late October 2026.
Is the OWP stream the same as the old In-Demand Skills stream?
No. OWP’s TEER 4–5 category replaced In-Demand Skills, but the scoring model, employer requirements and invitation authority are all different.
Related pages
- OWP stream — service page
- Employer guide — hiring through OINP
- OINP draws & application status
- OINP hub
- Book a paid consultation
Official sources
- Ontario — OINP program page (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Ontario — 2026 OINP updates (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Ontario Regulation 422/17 (accessed 2026-10-29)
