Ontario PNP Issues Over 1,800 Invitations in First Draws
Ontario Begins 2026 OINP Selections with 1,800+ Employer Job Offer ITAs
Ontario has begun its 2026 provincial immigration intake by issuing a significant number of invitations through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). On February 2, 2026, the province conducted a series of targeted selections aimed at filling urgent workforce gaps, particularly in healthcare, education, and regional labour markets.
This marks Ontario’s first immigration draw cycle of the year and reinforces the province’s reliance on employer-supported pathways to address long-standing skill shortages.
Six Targeted Selections Conducted in One Day
The province carried out six separate draws on February 2 under the Employer: Job Offer categories of the OINP. Collectively, these draws resulted in 1,825 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for provincial nomination.
Ontario limited consideration to candidates who had submitted profiles between July 2, 2025, and January 28, 2026. Each draw focused on a specific occupational group or regional priority, ensuring that invitations were aligned with real employer demand across the province.
Breakdown of February 2, 2026 OINP Draws
The February 2, 2026 OINP draws saw Ontario invite skilled workers through key streams, focusing on in-demand occupations and strengthening the province’s workforce needs.
| Stream | Minimum score | Invitations issued | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker | 33 | 129 | Targeted draw for physicians |
| Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker | 44 | 14 | Targeted draw for REDI |
| Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker | 36 | 634 | Targeted draw for health occupations and early childhood educators and assistants |
| Employer Job Offer: International Student | 69 | 26 | Targeted draw for REDI |
| Employer Job Offer: International Student | 56 | 1,015 | Targeted draw for health occupations and early childhood educators and assistants |
| Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills | 34 | 7 | Targeted draw for REDI |
Occupation-Focused Invitations Drive the Selections
Ontario’s approach in these draws was highly occupation-specific. Invitations were issued across three major priority areas:
- Physicians selected under the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream
- Candidates supported by employers in designated REDI regions
- Healthcare professionals, early childhood educators, and assistants across multiple Employer Job Offer streams
This targeted strategy reflects Ontario’s intention to directly connect immigration intake with sector-level workforce shortages rather than relying solely on general ranking systems.
REDI: Supporting Smaller Communities Through Immigration
The Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) pilot plays a key role in Ontario’s employer-led immigration framework. The initiative helps employers in smaller, rural, and northern communities recruit skilled workers when the local labour supply is insufficient.
REDI is not a standalone immigration stream. Instead, it operates within Ontario’s existing Employer Job Offer pathways. Eligible candidates must:
- Meet all criteria of an Employer Job Offer stream
- Hold a full-time job offer located in one of the following regions:
- Lanark County
- Sarnia-Lambton
- Thunder Bay
There are no additional forms, eligibility standards, or application steps exclusive to REDI. Candidates are invited directly through targeted OINP draws.
Application Process After Receiving an Invitation
Once Ontario approves an application and grants a provincial nomination, the nominee may then apply to the federal government of Canada for permanent residence.
What These Draws Signal for 2026
- Continued prioritization of employer-driven immigration
- Strong focus on healthcare and early childhood education
- Targeted support for regional economic growth
As labour market needs evolve throughout the year, further targeted draws under the OINP are expected to follow.
