Ontario's October Immigration Announcements at a Glance
Ontario PNP Update: REDI Returns and OWP Candidates Gain New EOI Points
Ontario has introduced two changes to its provincial immigration system in October 2026, affecting regional immigration opportunities and how certain candidates are assessed under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).
The province announced a new round of the Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) initiative on October 16, extending the program through December 2027. Earlier, on October 7, Ontario revised an Expression of Interest (EOI) scoring factor for eligible candidates under the Ontario Workforce Priority stream.
For foreign workers planning to apply for Canadian permanent residence, these developments make regional employment opportunities and documented Canadian earnings important factors to review.
Ontario's October Immigration Announcements at a Glance
| Announcement date | Immigration update | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| October 16, 2026 | New REDI initiative round | Regional immigration initiative continues through December 2027 |
| October 7, 2026 | Updated Canadian earnings scoring | Eligible candidates with annual earnings of CAD 80,000 or more can receive 10 EOI points under the specified factor |
REDI Initiative: A Regional Pathway for Skilled Workers
For candidates seeking Ontario PNP opportunities, REDI may be worth exploring if they are open to settling outside the province’s largest urban centres.
Which Ontario Communities Are Included?
- Greater Sudbury/Grand Sudbury
- Kenora District
- Nipissing District
- Rainy River District
- Renfrew County
- Thunder Bay
Citizenship Certificate Backlog Continues to Expand
The longer processing period is occurring alongside a substantial increase in the number of applications waiting for a decision. IRCC’s September figures put the outstanding inventory at approximately 136,000 applications. This represents another significant rise from August, when the queue stood at about 121,800 applications.
The backlog has developed alongside the expansion of eligibility for citizenship by descent. At the end of 2025, the queue was considerably smaller, at roughly 40,400 applications. By September 2026, it had grown to 136,000.
Backlog Growth Over 2026
| Month | Applications Awaiting a Decision |
|---|---|
| December 2025 | 40,400 |
| January 2026 | 42,400 |
| February 2026 | 47,900 |
| March 2026 | 50,900 |
| April 2026 | 56,300 |
| May 2026 | 70,400 |
| June 2026 | 82,000 |
| July 2026 | 99,500 |
| August 2026 | 121,800 |
| September 2026 | 136,000 |
This rapid increase means new applicants are entering an already crowded queue.
Is There a Separate REDI Application?
Ontario Workforce Priority Stream: Who Can Receive 10 Additional EOI Points?
Ontario’s October 7 update changes the Canadian work-experience earnings history factor used in the Expression of Interest system for the Ontario Workforce Priority (OWP) stream. Under the revised factor, candidates who earned CAD 80,000 or more in a single year within the previous five years will receive 10 points for that factor.
Do Current OINP Candidates Need to Re-register?
Ontario confirmed that the revised scoring was applied automatically to existing EOIs in the system. Candidates with an active EOI do not need to log in to the OINP e-Filing Portal or manually change their profiles to receive the adjustment under this factor.
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Conclusion
Before making immigration decisions, prospective applicants should verify the latest stream requirements, supporting-document rules and official provincial announcements. Planning to apply for Canada PR through Ontario? Universal Adviser can help you explore suitable immigration pathways, understand eligibility requirements and prepare for the next steps in your application journey.
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.
- 30 hours per week for 12 months qualify.
- Part-time work is acceptable if it equals the same total number of hours (for example, 15 hours per week over 24 months).
Recent News
- Ontario PNP Update: REDI Returns and OWP Candidates Gain New EOI Points
- New Brunswick Selects 63 Applicants for AIP in October 2026
- Newfoundland and Labrador Issues 126 ITAs
- PEI PNP Issues 163 ITAs in October Draw, Reaches 1,482 ITAs in 2026
- Canada to Award Up to 100 CRS Points for High-Wage Jobs Under New Express Entry Rules
