Ontario issues 1,828 invitations in April 8 OINP draws
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) conducted four invitation rounds on April 8, 2026, issuing a combined 1,828 invitations to apply for provincial nomination.
The draws focused on candidates in healthcare, early childhood education, Francophone occupations, regional pilot streams, and physicians. Invitations were issued under multiple Employer Job Offer categories.
Only candidates who indicated they were living in Canada with valid work or study authorization at the time of selection were considered.
- Ontario issued 1,828 invitations across four targeted draws
- The largest draw focused on healthcare and early childhood education roles
- Francophone candidates were selected across three job offer streams
- A regional pilot draw targeted smaller communities in Eastern Ontario
- Physicians received a separate, smaller round of invitations
- Minimum score thresholds varied by stream and occupation group
Overview of the April 8 invitation rounds
The April 8 rounds mark Ontario’s sixth set of invitations issued through the OINP in 2026. The province has continued to conduct targeted draws throughout the year to address labour market needs in key sectors.
Invitations were issued under the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker, International Student, and In-Demand Skills streams. Each draw applied different eligibility criteria, including minimum score requirements and occupational targeting.
Candidates were required to have submitted an expression of interest profile supported by a qualifying job offer from an Ontario employer before April 6, 2026.
Healthcare and early childhood education draw
The largest round accounted for 1,635 invitations, primarily directed at applicants with job offers in healthcare and childcare occupations.
Eligible roles included nursing positions, support workers, and early childhood educators. This draw represented the majority of invitations issued on April 8.
Score thresholds declined compared to a similar draw earlier in the year. The minimum score for the Foreign Worker stream was set at 20, while International Student candidates required a score of at least 46.
The targeted occupation list was slightly narrower than in previous rounds, with some healthcare roles no longer included.
Francophone candidate selection
Ontario issued 146 invitations to French-speaking candidates through a separate targeted round spanning all three Employer Job Offer streams.
The draw covered a wide mix of occupations across sectors such as business, information technology, healthcare, skilled trades, and education.
Minimum score requirements varied by stream. Foreign Worker candidates needed at least 35 points, International Student candidates required 63, and In-Demand Skills candidates qualified with a minimum of 25.
The occupations selected under this category ranged from professional and technical roles to labour and service positions.
Regional Economic Development through Immigration pilot
Ontario also issued 32 invitations under the Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) pilot. This initiative targets candidates with job offers in smaller communities.
The April 8 draw focused on Lanark County and Leeds and Grenville in Eastern Ontario. The pilot aims to support local labour needs outside major urban centres.
Invitations were distributed across the Foreign Worker, International Student, and In-Demand Skills streams, each with its own minimum score requirement.
Selected occupations included roles in healthcare support, trades, technical services, and community-based work.
Physician-specific draw
A separate draw invited 15 physicians under the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream.
Eligible applicants were required to have job offers in designated physician roles, including general practitioners, specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine, and surgical specialists.
The minimum score for this draw was set at 43.
Application timelines and process
Following an invitation, employers must submit required documentation to confirm the job offer within 14 calendar days.
Candidates who receive an invitation must submit a complete provincial nomination application within 17 calendar days.
Successful nominees may then proceed to apply to the federal government for permanent residence after receiving a provincial nomination certificate.
Context and recent activity in 2026
The April 8 draws follow multiple invitation rounds earlier in the year, including selections held in February, March, and early April.
Ontario has continued to use targeted draws to address workforce shortages in sectors such as healthcare, education, and skilled trades. Regional initiatives have also been used to support smaller communities.
Earlier draws in 2026 included both general and occupation-specific selections, reflecting ongoing adjustments to labour market priorities.
Planned changes to Ontario immigration streams
The latest rounds take place ahead of planned legislative changes to Ontario’s immigration framework. Amendments to the Ontario Immigration Act are scheduled to come into force on May 30, 2026.
These changes will remove the current categories used for nomination, including the Foreign Worker, International Student, and In-Demand Skills streams.
Details about replacement streams or transition measures for existing candidates have not yet been announced by the province.
Ongoing updates
Ontario continues to publish updates on invitation rounds and program changes as part of its provincial immigration strategy.
Further developments regarding new stream structures and future draws are expected as the legislative transition date approaches.
Additional coverage of provincial nominee programs across Canada provides broader context on evolving immigration policies and selection trends.