Ontario invites 918 graduate candidates in new OINP draw
Ontario has issued a new round of invitations under its provincial immigration program, targeting international graduates with advanced degrees. The draw was conducted on April 22 and focused on candidates in the Master’s Graduate and PhD Graduate streams.
A total of 918 invitations to apply for provincial nomination were sent to eligible candidates currently in Canada. Those invited held valid study or work status at the time of selection.
The latest round follows another selection held on April 15, reflecting continued activity in Ontario’s 2026 immigration allocations.
- Ontario issued 918 invitations under two graduate streams
- 674 invitations went to Master’s Graduate candidates
- 244 invitations were issued to PhD Graduate candidates
- Minimum scores were 61 for Master’s and 56 for PhD streams
- Candidates did not require specific occupational experience
- This marks the second graduate-focused draw in 2026
Details of the April 22 OINP draw
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) selected candidates who had completed graduate-level studies at eligible institutions in the province. Invitations were distributed across two streams dedicated to advanced degree holders.
The Master’s Graduate stream accounted for the majority of invitations, with 674 candidates receiving invitations. The remaining 244 invitations were issued under the PhD Graduate stream.
Score thresholds differed between the streams. Candidates in the Master’s category required a minimum score of 61, while PhD candidates needed at least 56 points to be considered.
Eligibility for this round required candidates to have submitted their profiles within a defined period. Only those who registered between April 22, 2025, and April 20, 2026, were included in the selection pool.
Comparison with earlier 2026 draw
This draw represents the second round in 2026 focused on graduate streams. The first took place on March 18 after a prolonged pause in selections for these categories.
Score requirements increased significantly compared to the earlier round. The Master’s Graduate stream saw a rise from 30 to 61 points, while the PhD stream also recorded a higher threshold compared to previous selections.
The change in cut-off scores reflects differences in the candidate pool between draws. No occupation-based criteria were applied in either of the graduate streams for this round.
Pause and resumption of graduate stream draws
Prior to 2026, invitations under these streams had not been issued for more than a year. The last recorded draw before March occurred in September 2024.
The resumption of invitations signals renewed activity in pathways aligned with international graduates. These streams operate independently from employer-driven or occupation-specific categories.
Application process following an invitation
Candidates selected in the draw receive an official invitation through the OINP system. Each file is assigned a specific identifier linked to the applicable stream.
Applicants are required to submit a complete application within 14 calendar days of receiving the invitation. This includes documentation supporting their eligibility and academic credentials.
The program rules also establish a time limit tied to degree completion. Applications must be submitted within two years from the date the qualifying degree was awarded.
If a candidate’s degree falls outside this two-year window, the invitation cannot be used for nomination purposes. Following successful nomination, applicants can proceed to submit a permanent residence application to federal authorities.
Upcoming structural changes to Ontario’s immigration system
Ontario has announced plans to restructure its immigration framework, with legislative amendments already introduced. The changes are scheduled to take effect on May 30, 2026.
Under the new model, multiple existing streams will be discontinued. This includes graduate-focused pathways as well as categories tied to job offers, skilled trades, and entrepreneurship.
The province has outlined four proposed replacement pathways. These include a consolidated employer-driven stream, a healthcare-focused stream, an entrepreneur pathway, and a category for exceptional talent.
Further operational details regarding these new pathways have not yet been released. The transition is expected to reshape how candidates are selected under Ontario’s nominee program.
Context within Canada’s provincial immigration system
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) remain a key component of Canada’s immigration system. Provinces and territories use these programs to select candidates aligned with regional priorities.
Graduate-focused streams are designed to retain individuals who have completed studies in Canada. These pathways differ from employer-based streams, as they do not require a job offer at the time of application.
Other provinces, including Manitoba, also operate nominee programs with distinct selection criteria. More information on Manitoba’s selection system is available through the MPNP points calculator.
Ontario continues to issue invitations across multiple streams in 2026, reflecting ongoing intake under its annual nomination allocation.
Further updates on provincial immigration draws and program changes are expected as provinces adjust their selection systems throughout the year.