Latest Ontario draw issues 918 ITAs to Master’s and PhD Graduates
Ontario Issues 918 ITAs to Master’s and PhD Graduates in Latest Draw
Ontario has continued its 2026 immigration activity with another round of invitations aimed at international graduates, reinforcing its focus on retaining highly educated talent already in Canada. The latest selection round under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) specifically targeted candidates who completed advanced degrees at universities within the province.
Second Graduate-Focused Draw of 2026
On April 22, Ontario conducted its second draw this year under the Master’s Graduate and PhD Graduate streams. In this round, a total of 918 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued to eligible candidates who are currently in Canada and hold a valid work or study permit.
This draw follows closely behind another round held on April 15, which focused on candidates in priority occupations and agriculture-related roles. The back-to-back draws highlight Ontario’s multi-pronged approach to addressing both labour shortages and talent retention.
Distribution of Invitations and Cutoff Scores
- Master’s Graduate Stream: 674 invitations issued with a minimum score of 61
- PhD Graduate Stream: 244 invitations issued with a minimum score of 56
Candidates needed to have created their profiles between April 22, 2025, and April 20, 2026, to be considered in this round. A notable aspect of this draw is that candidates were not required to have work experience in a specific National Occupational Classification (NOC) code, making it more accessible to recent graduates.
Draw Details: Stream-Wise Invitation Breakdown
The OINP issued Invitations to Apply (ITAs) across four separate draws. The healthcare and early childhood education category dominated this round, receiving the majority of invitations.
| Draw | Streams | Total Invitations | Foreign Worker Min. Score | International Student Min. Score | In-Demand Skills Min. Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare and early childhood education | FW, IS | 1,635 | 20 | 46 | — |
| Francophone candidates | FW, IS, IDS | 146 | 35 | 63 | 25 |
| REDI pilot (Lanark, Leeds and Grenville) | FW, IS, IDS | 32 | 46 | 57 | 33 |
| Physicians | FW | 15 | 43 | — | — |
Rising Cutoff Scores Signal Increased Competition
Compared to the earlier draw held on March 18, there has been a significant increase in the minimum scores required for selection.
- The Master’s Graduate stream saw a sharp rise from 30 to 61 points
- The PhD Graduate stream also experienced an increase in its cutoff
This jump suggests a more competitive pool, likely driven by a higher number of qualified candidates entering the system after the previous draw. As more applicants strengthen their profiles, higher scores are becoming necessary to secure an invitation.
Resumption of Invitations After Long Pause
The recent draws mark a renewed focus on graduate streams after a prolonged gap. Before March 18, the last time Ontario invited candidates under these categories was in September 2024.
This pause had created a backlog of eligible candidates, and the recent rounds appear to be part of an effort to address that demand while aligning with evolving provincial priorities.
What Candidates Should Do After Receiving an Invitation
Applicants who receive an ITA must act promptly. They are required to log into the OINP e-Filing Portal and access their application using the file number assigned to their stream. Candidates have a strict deadline of 14 calendar days from the date of receiving the invitation to submit a complete application for provincial nomination.
It is also important to note that eligibility for these streams is tied to the date of degree completion. Applicants must apply within two years of completing their master’s or PhD. If this window has already passed, the invitation should be declined to avoid rejection. Once successfully nominated by Ontario, candidates can proceed to apply for permanent residence through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
International Student Stream (Score of 63 and Above)
- NOC 00013 – Senior managers — health, education, social and community services and membership organizations
- NOC 11101 – Financial and investment analysts
- NOC 11102 – Financial advisors
- NOC 11201 – Professional occupations in business management consulting
- NOC 11202 – Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations
- NOC 12013 – Supervisors, supply chain, tracking and scheduling coordination occupations
- NOC 12200 – Accounting technicians and bookkeepers
- NOC 12201 – Insurance adjusters and claims examiners
- NOC 13100 – Administrative officers
- NOC 13110 – Administrative assistants
- NOC 13201 – Production and transportation logistics coordinators
- NOC 21211 – Data scientists
- NOC 21221 – Business system specialists
- NOC 21231 – Software engineers and designers
- NOC 21233 – Web designers
- NOC 21300 – Civil engineers
- NOC 21321 – Industrial and manufacturing engineers
- NOC 22214 – Technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology
- NOC 22221 – User support technicians
- NOC 22303 – Construction estimators
- NOC 33109 – Other assisting occupations in support of health services
- NOC 41321 – Career development practitioners and career counsellors (except education)
- NOC 42201 – Social and community service workers
- NOC 42202 – Early childhood educators and assistants
- NOC 51114 – Translators, terminologists and interpreters
- NOC 52113 – Audio and video recording technicians
- NOC 70010 – Construction managers
- NOC 70020 – Managers in transportation
- NOC 73301 – Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators
Major Immigration Reforms on the Horizon
These latest draws come at a time when Ontario is preparing to overhaul its immigration system. Significant changes to the Ontario Immigration Act are set to take effect on May 30, 2026. As part of this restructuring, the province plans to eliminate its current stream-based system, including categories such as graduate streams, skilled worker pathways, and entrepreneur programs. In place of the existing framework, Ontario has proposed four new immigration pathways:
- A unified Employer: Job Offer stream
- A dedicated healthcare-focused stream
- An entrepreneur pathway
- An exceptional talent stream
While the structure of these new pathways has been outlined, detailed information regarding eligibility criteria and timelines is still awaited.
Outlook for Applicants
Ontario’s latest draw demonstrates a clear intention to retain international graduates who have already invested in education within the province. However, rising cutoff scores indicate that competition is intensifying.
With major policy changes set to reshape the immigration landscape in the coming months, prospective applicants should stay informed and prepared to adapt their strategies accordingly.
Source :- https://www.ontario.ca/page/2026-ontario-immigrant-nominee-program-updates
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