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    North Bay Secures 150 Ontario PNP Nomination Spots for Regional Immigration in 2027

    Foreign workers looking to settle in Northern Ontario may have another opportunity to pursue Canadian permanent residence in 2027. The City of North Bay has announced that 150 provincial nomination spaces will be reserved for candidates working in Nipissing District under Ontario’s Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) initiative.
    North Bay’s Economic Development Department published the allocation on October 26, 2026. Through this regional immigration initiative, Ontario aims to attract foreign workers to communities outside the Greater Toronto Area and address local workforce requirements.

    The nomination spaces will be managed through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), which is expected to facilitate the selection of eligible workers for permanent residence.

    How Can Foreign Workers Qualify for the Nipissing Allocation?

    The REDI initiative provides a regional route for eligible foreign workers who have employment opportunities in participating Ontario communities.

    To be considered under the Nipissing District allocation, applicants must meet the following conditions:

    Meeting these conditions does not automatically guarantee an invitation. The OINP will assess submitted profiles and select candidates who meet its requirements.

    From Employer Support to Permanent Residence: The Application Process

    The REDI pathway involves both provincial and federal immigration stages.
    Stage What Candidates Need to Do
    1. Secure Employment Obtain a qualifying job offer from an employer in Nipissing District.
    2. Check Eligibility Meet the minimum requirements of an applicable OINP stream.
    3. Submit EOI Register an online Expression of Interest with employer support.
    4. Receive an Invitation Wait for the OINP to select eligible candidates and issue an invitation.
    5. Apply for Nomination Submit a provincial nomination application.
    6. Apply for PR Following nomination approval, apply to IRCC for Canadian permanent residence.

    At present, the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream is the only active OINP pathway identified for permanent residence. Candidates will need to satisfy the requirements of the applicable stream when submitting their applications.

    Six Ontario Regions Included in the 2026–2027 REDI Initiative

    Nipissing District is one of six regions selected by Ontario to participate in the latest REDI program cycle.
    The participating regions are:

    Ontario published the participating regions on October 14, 2026. The program uses Statistics Canada’s census division boundaries to determine the geographical coverage of each participating area. As of November 3, only Nipissing District and Thunder Bay had publicly confirmed their individual allocations, with both regions receiving 150 nomination spaces each.

    How Does the 2027 Allocation Compare With the Previous REDI Program?

    Ontario previously operated the REDI initiative between January 2 and December 31, 2025. During that period, the province distributed 800 provincial nomination spaces among four participating regions.
    Participating Region in 2025 Nomination Spaces
    Lanark County 200
    Leeds and Grenville 200
    Sarnia-Lambton 200
    Thunder Bay 200
    Total 800

    The latest initiative expands regional participation to six areas for the 2026–2027 cycle. However, Ontario has not yet published a complete breakdown of how it will divide its 2027 nomination spaces among all participating regions.

    Conclusion

    The allocation of 150 nomination spaces gives eligible foreign workers in Nipissing District another opportunity to pursue permanent residence through Ontario’s provincial immigration system. For applicants, securing employment in a participating region and meeting the relevant OINP eligibility conditions will be important first steps. Employer support is also essential to being considered through this regional initiative.

    With additional allocation details still awaited from Ontario, prospective applicants should monitor official OINP announcements before making immigration plans.

    Looking to build your future in Canada? Universal Adviser can help you understand Ontario PNP eligibility, assess suitable immigration pathways, and prepare your provincial nomination application.

    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.

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