Ontario Invites 1,300 Candidates in Latest OINP Draw for In-Demand Jobs
Ontario Issues Over 1,300 ITAs in Fresh OINP Draw Focused on In-Demand Jobs
In a new round of provincial immigration activity, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has invited more than 1,300 candidates to apply for nomination, targeting workers in critical sectors across the province. The latest draws highlight Ontario’s continued focus on addressing labour shortages, particularly in agriculture and other essential occupations.
This marks the third round of invitations conducted by the province in April 2026, reinforcing a steady pace of selections under its provincial immigration streams.
Draw Overview: Two Categories, One Objective
On April 15, Ontario conducted two separate draws under the Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills stream. Invitations were issued to candidates with job offers in agriculture-related roles as well as other high-demand occupations.
Breakdown of Invitations
| Occupation Type | Invitations Issued | Minimum Score |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture-related roles | 315 | 35 |
| Other priority occupations | 1,024 | 36 |
A significant share of invitations—approximately 77%—went to candidates working in non-agricultural occupations, indicating a broader demand across multiple sectors in Ontario’s labour market.
However, official figures present a minor inconsistency. While the program update reports a total of 1,334 invitations, the detailed breakdown from the official invitation page adds up to 1,339, suggesting a discrepancy of five invitations.
Eligibility Criteria for This Round
To qualify for consideration in these draws, candidates needed to meet several specific requirements:
- Profiles must have been created between July 2, 2025, and April 13, 2026 (before 11:59 p.m.).
- Applicants were required to hold a valid job offer under the In-Demand Skills stream.
- Candidates had to be residing in Canada at the time of selection, with either a valid work permit or study permit.
These criteria ensured that invitations were directed toward candidates already contributing to the Canadian workforce.
Occupations Targeted in the Draw
Occupation Distribution
| Category | Number of Occupations | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture-related occupations | 6 | Includes farm-related and agri-support roles |
| Other priority occupations | 33 | Covers various high-demand roles outside agriculture |
Candidates were selected based on their occupation falling within the eligible National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes defined by the province.
Pathway to Provincial Nomination Under Employer Job Offer Streams
To be considered under Ontario’s Employer Job Offer streams—which include Foreign Worker, International Student, and In-Demand Skills—candidates must follow a structured application process:
Step-by-Step Process
- Secure a valid job offer from an eligible Ontario employer.
- Employer registration: The employer must register the business through the Employer Portal and submit the job offer.
- Receive Job Offer ID: Once submitted, candidates automatically receive an email containing their job offer ID.
- Submit Expression of Interest (EOI): Candidates must register their EOI within 30 days of receiving the job offer ID.
- Wait for invitation: EOIs remain active in the pool for up to 12 months at no cost.
After Receiving an Invitation
- Candidates are notified via the OINP e-Filing Portal.
- Employers must submit the employment position approval application within 14 days.
- Candidates must submit their complete OINP application within 17 days of receiving the invitation.
Successful applicants who receive a provincial nomination can then proceed to apply for permanent residence with the federal government.
Upcoming Changes to the OINP
Ontario has announced a significant overhaul of its provincial immigration system, expected to take effect on May 30, 2026. As part of these changes:
- Existing applicant categories may be discontinued.
- The current Employer Job Offer streams are expected to be merged into a single, unified stream.
At this stage, the province has not provided clarity on how candidates currently in the system will be transitioned under the new structure. This uncertainty makes upcoming draws particularly important for those seeking nomination under the existing framework.
What This Means for Applicants
The latest OINP draw reflects Ontario’s targeted approach to immigration, prioritizing candidates who can fill immediate labour shortages. With program changes on the horizon, candidates already in the pool or considering applying may benefit from acting quickly under the current system.
As Ontario continues refining its immigration pathways, staying updated and ensuring timely application submissions will be key for candidates aiming to secure provincial nomination and, ultimately, Canadian permanent residence.
Source :- https://www.ontario.ca/page/2026-ontario-immigrant-nominee-program-updates
