Ontario Launches New PR Ranking Formula Under Workforce Priority Stream
Ontario Releases New Ranking Formula for PR Applicants Under Workforce Priority Stream
Ontario has provided new details on how it plans to rank candidates seeking a provincial nomination through its newly introduced Ontario Workforce Priority Stream (OWPS). The scoring framework will play a central role in deciding which eligible candidates receive invitations to submit a provincial nomination application. Those who secure a nomination can then move forward with an application for Canadian permanent residence through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
The latest information gives prospective immigrants a clearer picture of the factors that could strengthen their chances when Ontario’s expression of interest system becomes operational again.
Ontario Will Rank Candidates Through a 130-Point System
The ranking system considers a broad range of factors, including:
- The location of the job in Ontario
- The candidate's occupation and TEER category
- The occupational sector
- Canadian work experience
- Previous work experience in Ontario
- Canadian income history
- Educational qualifications
- Canadian post-secondary education
- English or French language ability
- Bilingual proficiency
- Temporary resident status
The highest-ranking profiles are expected to receive priority when Ontario conducts selections. This means that meeting the minimum eligibility conditions may not be enough to secure an invitation. Candidates with stronger scores across multiple factors could have a competitive advantage when the province begins issuing invitations.
Location of Employment Can Affect a Candidate's Ranking
Ontario is giving additional consideration to candidates who will work outside Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. Applicants with eligible job offers in Northern Ontario can receive the highest regional score of 15 points.
Those working in Eastern Ontario, Central Ontario outside the Greater Toronto Area, or Southwestern Ontario can receive 10 points. A job located in the Greater Toronto Area but outside the City of Toronto can provide 5 points. Candidates whose employment is based directly in Toronto receive no points under the regional factor.
The approach appears designed to encourage newcomers to settle and work in areas across Ontario that may face greater labour market needs beyond the province’s largest urban centre.
Higher-Skilled Occupations Receive More Points
The candidate’s occupation will also influence their ranking. Jobs classified under NOC TEER 0 and TEER 1 can earn 9 points. These categories generally cover management positions and occupations that usually require university-level education.
TEER 2 and TEER 3 occupations can receive 6 points. These include various supervisory, technical, skilled trade and other roles that may require post-secondary education, apprenticeships or specialized training.
TEER 4 and TEER 5 positions do not receive points under this particular ranking factor.
However, the absence of points for these categories does not automatically mean that candidates in lower-TEER occupations are excluded. Ontario has created a separate OWPS pathway specifically covering TEER 4 and TEER 5 occupations, subject to the stream’s eligibility requirements.
Salary Is Another Important Ranking Factor
Candidates can earn as many as 15 points based on their hourly wage. Those earning at least $40 per hour receive the maximum score for compensation.
The scoring gradually decreases for lower hourly wages:
- $40 or more per hour: 15 points
- $35 to $39.99 per hour: 12 points
- $30 to $34.99 per hour: 10 points
- $25 to $29.99 per hour: 8 points
- $20 to $24.99 per hour: 5 points
- Below $20 per hour: 0 points
The salary component therefore gives higher-paid workers a significant advantage in the provincial ranking system.
Healthcare and Skilled Trades Stand Out
Ontario is also assigning additional points based on the broad occupational category of the candidate. Healthcare occupations receive the highest score of 10 points under this factor.
Trades, transportation, equipment operators and related occupations can receive 8 points, while natural and applied sciences occupations can earn 6 points. Several other occupational groups, including business, finance, administration, education, law, social and community services, natural resources, agriculture, manufacturing and utilities, can receive 4 points.
Art, culture, recreation, sport, sales and service occupations receive 2 points. This structure indicates that Ontario is placing particular emphasis on occupations connected to healthcare, skilled trades, transportation and technical fields.
Canadian Work Experience Can Strengthen a Profile
Those with more than 24 months of general Ontario work experience can earn 12 points. Experience between 13 and 24 months can provide 9 points, while six to 12 months can provide 6 points. Less than six months of Ontario work experience does not generate points under this factor.
Income History Will Be Verified Through Canadian Tax Records
Ontario is also taking an applicant’s previous Canadian income into account. Candidates who recorded an annual income of at least $70,000 during their highest-earning year in the previous five years can receive 8 points.
Income between $50,000 and $69,999 can provide 6 points, while income between $30,000 and $49,999 can provide 4 points. Applicants whose highest annual income was below $30,000 do not receive points under this factor.
The province will rely on the Notice of Assessment issued by the Canada Revenue Agency to determine eligible income levels.
Education Can Add Up to 10 Points
Educational qualifications are another part of Ontario’s ranking formula.
Other qualifications, including bachelor’s degrees, university credentials, college qualifications, apprenticeships and trade credentials, can provide different scores depending on the level and type of education. Applicants with education below a college or trade certificate level receive no points for this factor.
Canadian Education Offers an Additional Advantage
Candidates who have completed post-secondary education in Canada can earn extra points on top of their general education score. Applicants with two or more eligible Canadian post-secondary credentials can receive 10 points.
One qualifying Canadian credential can provide 5 points, while candidates with no eligible Canadian post-secondary education receive no additional points. To qualify for these points, the credential must come from an eligible Canadian institution and generally must be associated with a full-time program lasting at least one year. Ontario has also published information identifying the post-secondary institutions and educational credentials that can be considered under the new requirements.
Language Skills Can Significantly Improve Ranking
A CLB level of 8 provides 12 points, while CLB 7 provides 8 points. Candidates at CLB 6 receive 4 points, while those at CLB 5 or below receive no points under this factor. Language test results must come from an approved immigration language examination completed within the previous two years.
French-English Bilingual Candidates Can Earn More Points
Candidates who meet the required threshold in only one official language can receive 5 points. This means candidates with strong abilities in both English and French could gain an additional ranking advantage.
Valid Work Permits Provide the Highest Temporary Status Score
The candidate’s immigration status in Canada is also considered. Those holding a valid work permit can earn 10 points. Candidates with a study permit can receive 5 points.
Special Ranking Rules Apply to Self-Employed Physicians
Ontario has created a separate scoring approach for eligible self-employed physicians. These candidates are not assessed using the standard hourly wage factor. Instead, their Ontario work experience is measured according to the cumulative length of their medical practice in the province.
Physicians with at least 24 months of qualifying medical practice can receive 18 points. Those with 13 to 24 months can receive 15 points, while six to 12 months can provide 12 points. Less than six months of cumulative practice does not generate points under this factor. The physician pathway is intended for eligible medical professionals who meet the requirements to bill the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).
How the New Ontario PR Pathway Will Work
Candidates interested in the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream will need to follow a multi-stage process. The general process is expected to involve:
- Creating an eligible profile through Ontario's online Expression of Interest system.
- Waiting for the OINP to select the profile.
- Receiving an invitation to apply for a provincial nomination.
- Submitting a complete nomination application to Ontario.
- Receiving a provincial nomination if the application is approved.
- Applying to the federal government for Canadian permanent residence as a provincial nominee.
- Completing the federal immigration process and receiving confirmation of permanent residence before officially becoming a permanent resident.
For job-offer pathways, the employer also has a role in initiating the candidate’s expression of interest.
Three Pathways Are Included Under the OWPS
TEER 0–3 Pathway
TEER 4–5 Pathway
This pathway focuses on eligible workers in occupations classified under TEER 4 and TEER 5.
This route is intended for eligible physicians who are self-employed and meet Ontario’s requirements to provide medical services that can be billed through OHIP. Each pathway has its own eligibility conditions, and candidates must meet the applicable requirements before they can pursue a provincial nomination.
Ontario's EOI System Is Expected to Reopen
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program’s online Expression of Interest system is currently closed. However, the province has indicated that it expects the system to reopen later in the summer.
Once the EOI system becomes available again, Ontario is expected to begin selecting candidates based on the new ranking framework and inviting eligible individuals to submit applications for provincial nomination. Prospective applicants may therefore benefit from reviewing their education, work history, language scores, immigration status and employment details in advance.
Ontario Continues Its Major Immigration Program Overhaul
The launch of the OWPS scoring system is part of a wider transformation of Ontario’s provincial immigration program. Ontario discontinued its previous provincial immigration pathways on May 30, 2026, as part of the restructuring.
The province subsequently announced the eligibility requirements for the three OWPS pathways on June 26, 2026. The OWPS is currently the only newly announced Ontario immigration stream for which the province has released comprehensive eligibility and ranking information.
Ontario has also indicated that it plans to introduce three more immigration options in the future. These include:
- A Priority Healthcare Stream
- An Entrepreneur Stream
- An Exceptional Talent Stream
The province has not yet confirmed when these additional programs will open. The proposed Priority Healthcare Stream is expected to target workers in healthcare occupations and may not require applicants to hold a job offer.
Meanwhile, the Exceptional Talent Stream is expected to focus on individuals with outstanding achievements in areas such as academic research, science, literature, creative fields and the performing arts.
Existing Applicants Under Old OINP Programs Will Not Be Reassessed Under New Rules
The restructuring of Ontario’s immigration system does not mean that applications submitted under the former pathways will automatically be transferred to the new scoring framework. Candidates who applied under the previous OINP streams before they were retired will continue to have their applications assessed according to the rules that were applicable when their applications were submitted.
Ontario initially announced its intention to redesign its provincial immigration system in December 2025. The release of the OWPS ranking criteria now provides prospective applicants with more clarity about how the province intends to prioritize candidates under its revamped immigration framework.
Understanding Canada's TEER Classification System
| TEER Level | Description |
|---|---|
| TEER 0 | Management occupations |
| TEER 1 | Occupations usually requiring a university degree |
| TEER 2 | Occupations generally requiring a college diploma or apprenticeship of two years or more |
| TEER 3 | Occupations requiring a college diploma, apprenticeship of less than two years, or significant on-the-job training |
| TEER 4 | Occupations generally requiring secondary school education and several weeks of workplace training |
| TEER 5 | Occupations requiring only short-term work demonstration and minimal formal training |
Conclusions
The new ranking formula suggests that Ontario is looking beyond basic eligibility when selecting candidates for provincial nomination. A strong profile could benefit from a combination of factors such as a higher-paying job, Canadian work experience, advanced education, strong language results and employment outside Toronto.
Candidates in priority occupational sectors, particularly healthcare and skilled trades, may also gain additional points. With the EOI system expected to reopen later this summer, prospective applicants should closely monitor announcements from the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program and ensure that their information is accurate and up to date before the next selection rounds begin.
For foreign workers and international graduates hoping to obtain Canadian permanent residence through Ontario, understanding the new points structure could be an important first step in determining how competitive their profile may be under the province’s redesigned immigration system.
3. Full-Time Equivalency Standard
Full-time work is defined as at least 30 hours per week. Candidates must accumulate the equivalent of 12 months at this standard.
- 30 hours per week for 12 months qualify.
- Part-time work is acceptable if it equals the same total number of hours (for example, 15 hours per week over 24 months).
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