Ontario issues 1,825 invitations in first 2026 OINP draws
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) conducted six invitation rounds on February 2, 2026, distributing 1,825 invitations to apply for provincial nomination. The draws targeted applicants under the Employer Job Offer streams, focusing on healthcare, early childhood education, and regional economic development roles.
These were the first OINP selection rounds of 2026, signalling continued emphasis on addressing labour shortages in key sectors and supporting economic growth across Ontario’s regions.
- Six OINP draws held on February 2, 2026
- 1,825 invitations issued across multiple Employer Job Offer streams
- Focus areas included physicians, healthcare, REDI, and early childhood education
- Profiles created between July 2, 2025, and January 28, 2026, were considered
- Minimum scores ranged from 33 to 69, depending on the stream
- First round of OINP invitations for 2026
Breakdown of the February 2 OINP draws
Invitations were issued through three Employer Job Offer streams: Foreign Worker, International Student, and In-Demand Skills. Each draw targeted specific occupations and regions aligned with Ontario’s labour needs.
Under the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream, 129 invitations were issued to physicians with scores of at least 33, 14 invitations under the Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) pilot with scores of 44 or higher, and 634 invitations for health and early childhood education roles with a minimum score of 36.
For the Employer Job Offer: International Student stream, 26 invitations were sent through the REDI pilot for candidates scoring at least 69, while 1,015 invitations targeted healthcare and early childhood occupations with scores of 56 and above. Additionally, seven invitations were issued under the In-Demand Skills stream for REDI candidates with minimum scores of 34.
Occupations invited under targeted draws
The province invited candidates across a range of National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes. Physicians included specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine, surgery, and general practice.
REDI-related invitations covered roles such as accounting technicians, software engineers, registered nurses, nurse aides, and early childhood educators. International student candidates received invitations in occupations including licensed practical nurses, legal administrative assistants, occupational health and safety specialists, and graphic designers. In-demand skills invitations included home support workers, material handlers, and machine operators.
The REDI pilot within the OINP framework
The Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) pilot operates under the OINP’s existing Employer Job Offer streams. It aims to assist employers in smaller and northern Ontario communities who face recruitment challenges due to limited local labour supply.
Through REDI, eligible candidates must meet the requirements of an Employer Job Offer stream and hold a full-time job offer located in one of the participating pilot regions: Lanark County, Leeds and Grenville, Sarnia-Lambton, or Thunder Bay. The pilot does not require a separate application process, as candidates are considered automatically through targeted draws.
Application process for invited candidates
Individuals who received an invitation on February 2 have 60 days to submit a complete application to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program. Applications must meet all eligibility and documentation requirements outlined by the province.
Once nominated, candidates can then apply to the Government of Canada for permanent residence through the federal immigration process. This structure mirrors nomination programs in other provinces, such as the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP), which also supports regional labour market priorities.
Context and significance
The OINP remains one of Canada’s largest provincial nominee programs, designed to complement federal immigration pathways by addressing region-specific workforce demands. The February 2 draws reflect Ontario’s ongoing focus on healthcare staffing pressures and support for early childhood education sectors.
Targeted draws also align with the province’s strategy to attract skilled professionals to communities outside major urban centres through the REDI pilot. By directing invitations toward essential occupations, Ontario aims to strengthen its talent pipeline across both metropolitan and regional labour markets.
Next steps and ongoing monitoring
Applicants who receive nominations through the OINP continue through the federal permanent residence process administered by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Further updates on draw results and program changes are expected as provinces adjust to evolving workforce demands throughout 2026.
Readers can follow future updates on provincial nominee program draws and Canadian immigration developments through official announcements and verified news sources.