Ontario Workforce Priority Stream: Understanding the TEER 0–3 Category
Ontario has introduced the new Ontario Workforce Priority stream, including a category for applicants with job offers in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupations. This category is intended to support Ontario employers in retaining skilled workers who meet the province’s labour market needs.
While further program instructions and operational details may still be released by the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program, the regulations provide important information about the core eligibility requirements for applicants under the Ontario Workforce Priority: TEER 0–3 category.
Invitation to Apply Required
Applicants cannot apply directly under this category unless they first receive an Invitation to Apply from the Government of Ontario.
After receiving an invitation, the applicant must submit the nomination application within the deadline set by Ontario. The applicable deadline will be published by the Ministry.
This means that having a job offer alone is not enough. The applicant must first be selected and invited by Ontario before they can proceed with the nomination application.
Applicants Must Prove the Information Used for Their Invitation
Applicants must be able to prove the qualifications and information they declared when they were considered and ranked by Ontario.
This may include, for example:
- work experience;
- education;
- language test results;
- job offer details;
- licensing or authorization, where applicable; and
- any other factors used by Ontario to issue the invitation.
In practical terms, applicants should ensure that all information provided to Ontario is accurate and supported by proper documentation. If an applicant receives an invitation based on information they cannot later prove, the application may be refused.
Approved Ontario Job Offer in TEER 0–3
A valid job offer is a central requirement under this category.
The applicant must have a job offer for an employment position that has been approved by Ontario. The occupation must fall under TEER Category 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the National Occupational Classification.
TEER 0–3 generally includes management occupations, professional occupations, technical occupations, skilled trades, and other occupations that require post-secondary education, apprenticeship training, significant experience, or specialized knowledge.
Licensing or Authorization Requirements
If the occupation requires a licence, registration, or other authorization under Ontario or federal law, the applicant must have that licence or authorization.
This is especially relevant for regulated professions and occupations, including certain health care, trades, transportation, and technical roles.
For example, where a person cannot legally perform the job duties without a licence, Ontario will expect the applicant to already hold the required authorization.
Work Experience Requirement
Most applicants must meet one of the prescribed work experience options.
Option 1: Six Months of Ontario Work Experience with the Employer
The applicant may qualify if they have accumulated at least six consecutive months of paid full-time work experience in Ontario in the same employment position as the job offer.
This experience must have been gained:
- within the 12 months before the application date;
- while the applicant was lawfully residing and working in Ontario;
- in the same position connected to the application; and
- on a paid, full-time basis.
This option is particularly relevant for workers who are already employed by the Ontario employer offering them the permanent position.
Option 2: Three Months for Recent Ontario Graduates
Recent Ontario graduates may qualify with a shorter period of work experience.
If the applicant is a recent Ontario graduate, they may qualify with at least three consecutive months of paid full-time work experience in Ontario in the same employment position as the job offer.
This experience must have been gained:
- within the 12 months before the application date;
- while the applicant was lawfully residing and working in Ontario;
- in the same position connected to the application; and
- on a paid, full-time basis.
This provides a reduced work experience requirement for eligible recent graduates who have transitioned into employment in Ontario.
Option 3: Two Years of Experience within the Last Five Years
The applicant may also qualify if they have accumulated at least two years of paid full-time work experience, or equivalent paid part-time experience, within the five years before applying.
In most cases, this experience must be in the same NOC occupation as the Ontario job offer.
However, the regulation also allows specific occupation-related exceptions.
An applicant with experience in Sub-Major Group 213 – Professional occupations in engineering may be able to rely on that experience if their Ontario job offer is in Sub-Major Group 223 – Technical occupations related to engineering.
An applicant with experience as a NOC 31120 – Pharmacist may be able to rely on that experience if their Ontario job offer is in NOC 33103 – Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants.
An applicant with experience as a NOC 32101 – Licensed practical nurse or NOC 31301 – Registered nurse or registered psychiatric nurse may be able to rely on that experience if their Ontario job offer is in NOC 33102 – Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates.
These exceptions are important for internationally trained professionals who may have higher-level or closely related experience but are currently working in a different, related occupation in Ontario.
Education Requirement
Most applicants must provide proof that they have completed post-secondary education.
This can be either:
- a post-secondary degree or diploma from an eligible Canadian institution requiring at least one year of full-time study; or
- an equivalent foreign credential supported by an Educational Credential Assessment report.
For foreign education, the ECA report must be less than five years old on the date the application is submitted. The ECA must confirm that the foreign credential is authentic and equivalent to a completed Canadian educational credential.
Licensing Exemption from Work Experience and Education Requirements
The regulation provides an important exemption for applicants who meet the licensing or authorization requirement for their occupation.
If the applicant is required to hold a licence or other authorization to perform the employment position, and they have obtained that licence or authorization, the standard work experience and education requirements may not apply.
This means that for certain regulated occupations, holding the required licence may replace the need to separately satisfy the usual work experience and post-secondary education requirements.
Special Education Rule for NOC 33102
There is a specific education rule for NOC 33102 – Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates.
Applicants with an approved job offer in NOC 33102 do not need to meet the regular post-secondary degree or diploma requirement if they have obtained an Ontario college certificate from an eligible Canadian institution that required at least one year of full-time study.
This may be particularly relevant for applicants working in personal support worker, nurse aide, orderly, or patient service associate-type roles.
Language Requirement
Applicants who are not recent Ontario graduates must demonstrate language proficiency in English or French.
The required level is generally Canadian Language Benchmark 6 in all four language abilities:
- reading;
- writing;
- listening; and
- speaking.
The language test must have been taken within two years before the application date and must be from an approved testing organization.
Recent Ontario graduates appear to be treated differently under this provision, as the language requirement applies to applicants who are not recent Ontario graduates.
Employer Ownership Restriction
The applicant and their family members must not hold, or have held, equity in the employer’s business, either directly or indirectly.
There is a limited exception where the equity was obtained as part of the applicant’s remuneration as an employee, and the total equity held by the applicant and their family members is less than 10% of the employer’s business.
This rule is intended to prevent applicants from using a business they or their family substantially own to support their nomination application.
Special Rules for Truck Drivers and Transit Operators
Different rules apply to applicants with approved job offers in the following occupations:
- NOC 73300 – Transport truck drivers; and
- NOC 73301 – Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators.
For these occupations, the applicable rules include the invitation requirement, proof of declared qualifications, approved job offer, licensing where required, education, language, and employer ownership restrictions.
However, for work experience, these applicants must meet the six-month Ontario work experience requirement in the same employment position. The broader two-year experience option does not apply to these occupations.
This means that truck drivers and transit operators must generally have at least six consecutive months of paid full-time work experience in Ontario in the same position connected to the job offer.
Special Rules for Trades, Natural Resources, Production, Cooks, Butchers, Bakers, and Chefs
The regulation also creates modified requirements for certain occupations, including:
- Major Group 72 – Technical trades and transportation officers and controllers, excluding Sub-Major Group 726;
- Major Group 73 – General trades;
- Major Group 82 – Supervisors in natural resources, agriculture and related production;
- Major Group 83 – Occupations in natural resources and related production;
- Major Group 93 – Central control and process operators and aircraft assembly assemblers and inspectors, excluding Sub-Major Group 932;
- Minor Group 6320 – Cooks, butchers, and bakers; and
- Unit Group 62200 – Chefs.
For these occupations, the applicant must generally meet the invitation, proof of qualifications, approved job offer, licensing, work experience, and employer ownership requirements.
However, the education requirement is different. Instead of requiring post-secondary education, the applicant may provide proof of a Canadian secondary school diploma or credential, or an equivalent foreign credential supported by a valid ECA report.
The ECA must be less than five years old on the date the application is submitted and must confirm that the foreign credential is equivalent to a completed Canadian educational credential.
For these occupations, the language requirement is also lower. Applicants who are not recent Ontario graduates must generally demonstrate English or French language proficiency of at least CLB 5 in all four abilities.
As with the broader category, if the applicant is required to hold a licence or authorization for the occupation and has obtained it, the work experience and education requirements may not apply.
Key Takeaways
The Ontario Workforce Priority: TEER 0–3 category is an employer-driven pathway for applicants with approved Ontario job offers in skilled occupations.
For most applicants, the main requirements include:
- an Invitation to Apply from Ontario;
- proof that the information used to issue the invitation is accurate;
- an approved Ontario job offer in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3;
- licensing or authorization, where required;
- qualifying work experience;
- post-secondary education or a valid ECA, unless exempt;
- CLB 6 language ability, unless a different rule applies; and
- compliance with employer ownership restrictions.
There are also important modified rules for certain occupations, including truck drivers, transit operators, trades, cooks, butchers, bakers, chefs, natural resource occupations, production occupations, and NOC 33102 health care support roles.
Applicants should carefully assess their occupation, job offer, work history, education, language scores, and licensing status before relying on this category. Please book a paid consultation on our website using the book an appointment tool if you would like to assess your individual eligibility for OINP.
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