Ontario issues 1,404 invitations in skilled trades draw
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) conducted a targeted draw on February 18, 2026, inviting 1,404 candidates under the Employer Job Offer streams. The selection focused on skilled trades occupations, continuing the province’s early 2026 nomination activity.
Invited candidates confirmed their residence in Canada and held valid work or study permits. The draw marks Ontario’s second nomination round of the year, following earlier invitations issued in February 2026.
- Draw date: February 18, 2026
- Total invitations: 1,404
- Streams: Employer Job Offer – Foreign Worker and International Student
- Target group: Skilled trades occupations under the NOC 2021 system
- Minimum scores: 50 (Foreign Worker) and 80 (International Student)
- Profiles considered: Created between July 2, 2025, and February 16, 2026
Employer Job Offer streams overview
The February 2026 draw distributed invitations through two OINP Employer Job Offer categories. A total of 951 invitations went to candidates in the Foreign Worker stream with a minimum score of 50, while 453 were issued under the International Student stream requiring a score of 80. Both rounds focused on candidates employed or offered positions in skilled trades roles.
Profiles were assessed through Ontario’s Expression of Interest system. Eligible candidates were required to have profiles created and validated by February 16, 2026, backed by job offers from approved employers.
Targeted skilled trades occupations
The draw prioritized applicants with job offers across a wide range of skilled trades National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes. Occupations included electricians, welders, carpenters, mechanics, heavy equipment operators, and other technical and supervisory trades roles. The focus reflects Ontario’s continued demand for qualified trades professionals across construction, manufacturing, and industrial sectors.
Next steps for invited candidates
Employers of selected nominees have 14 calendar days from the date of invitation to submit applications for position approval. Candidates must then complete their OINP applications within 17 days of receiving an invitation to apply.
Once a provincial nomination is issued, successful applicants can submit a federal application for permanent residence through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. This process aligns with pathways used by other jurisdictions, including the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program.
Context: suspension of OINP Skilled Trades Stream
The focus on trades occupations follows the suspension of Ontario’s Express Entry: Skilled Trades Stream in November 2025. The program was paused after the OINP identified systemic misrepresentation issues. As a result, all pending applications were returned and fees refunded.
While the province has not confirmed if the Express Entry stream will reopen, affected candidates remain eligible to pursue other OINP Employer Job Offer or provincial nomination categories. Ontario has continued to emphasize skilled trades as a key area to address labour shortages across multiple industries.
Background and recent program activity
Ontario’s February 18 draw is the second in 2026, following an earlier round that issued over 1,800 invitations across multiple streams. The back-to-back draws signal ongoing efforts to maintain steady nomination levels early in the year.
The OINP is one of Canada’s largest provincial immigration programs, offering both base and enhanced nomination streams aligned with federal immigration pathways. Skilled trades draws are a recurring feature of several provincial programs, reflecting a national focus on attracting workers for in-demand technical and construction occupations.
For context, other provinces such as Manitoba and Alberta have also conducted targeted draws for trades and technical occupations, underlining a broader national need for skilled labour across Canada’s sectors.
Public significance
Ontario’s latest targeted draw underscores the province’s continued reliance on the provincial nominee system to meet workforce requirements in essential sectors. By prioritizing candidates already working or studying in Canada, the province aims to strengthen long-term retention of skilled workers within its labour market.
Further nomination rounds are expected as the province continues its 2026 allocation. Provincial nominee programs remain a central mechanism in supporting regional economic priorities and connecting employers with experienced talent.
Readers can explore additional immigration developments and nomination patterns across Canadian provinces through related coverage and program updates.