Ontario resumes graduate immigration draws
Ontario has issued new invitations to apply for provincial nomination, including selections targeting master’s and PhD graduates. The draws took place on March 18 and mark the first invitations under these graduate streams since September 2024.
More than 1,100 international graduates with Canadian work experience were invited through targeted selections. Additional invitations were also issued to foreign workers and candidates in employer-driven streams.
The round is part of Ontario’s third set of provincial immigration draws in 2026 and reflects continued use of occupation-specific targeting.
- Ontario issued a total of 1,243 invitations across six draws on March 18
- 1,107 invitations were sent to master’s and PhD graduates
- This was the first graduate stream draw since September 2024
- Candidates required Canadian residence status and eligible profiles
- Selections focused on specific occupations under NOC categories
Graduate stream invitations restart after more than a year
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) conducted targeted draws under its Master’s Graduate and PhD Graduate streams. A combined 1,107 invitations were issued to candidates meeting program requirements.
Applicants were required to be residing in Canada with valid temporary status, such as a study or work permit. Profiles also needed to fall within a specified submission window between July 2, 2025, and March 16, 2026.
The minimum score thresholds differed by stream. The Master’s Graduate stream had a cut-off score of 30, while the PhD Graduate stream required a minimum of 49.
Occupation-based targeting in graduate draws
Both graduate streams were conducted as targeted draws, meaning invitations prioritized candidates with experience in selected occupations. These occupations spanned sectors including healthcare, engineering, information technology, education, and skilled trades.
Examples of roles included registered nurses, software developers, engineering managers, human resources professionals, and data scientists. Positions in administration, construction, and finance were also represented among the targeted categories.
This targeted approach reflects Ontario’s continued alignment of immigration selections with labour market needs identified by the province.
Additional invitations issued through employer job offer streams
Alongside the graduate selections, Ontario issued 136 invitations under Employer Job Offer streams. These draws included candidates in foreign worker, international student, and in-demand skills categories.
Of these, 39 invitations were linked to the Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) pilot program. This initiative targets applicants with job offers in specific regions, including Lanark, Leeds, and Grenville.
Minimum score requirements varied across streams, with thresholds ranging from 30 to 61 depending on the category. Candidates in these streams were also required to hold valid status in Canada.
Physicians included in targeted selection
An additional draw invited 97 physicians under the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream. These candidates required job offers in healthcare occupations such as family medicine, specialist practice, and clinical or laboratory medicine.
The minimum score for this draw was set at 36. The inclusion of physicians reflects ongoing demand in the healthcare sector.
Profile eligibility and selection criteria
All invited candidates were drawn from profiles registered within the OINP system. Only profiles created within the defined period and attested by March 16, 2026, were eligible for consideration.
Selections were based on a scoring system that evaluates factors such as education, work experience, and other human capital attributes. Targeted draws also incorporate occupation-specific filters aligned with National Occupational Classification codes.
The March 18 draws represent Ontario’s third round of invitations this year, following earlier activity in February.
Planned changes to Ontario’s immigration system
The latest draws come ahead of planned legislative changes affecting Ontario’s immigration framework. Amendments to the Ontario Immigration Act indicate that several existing application categories are scheduled for removal.
Categories listed for revocation include graduate streams, employer job offer pathways, and human capital streams, among others. These changes are expected to take effect on May 30, 2026.
Provincial authorities have not released full details on replacement programs or new selection models. However, the legislative updates indicate that restructuring of existing pathways is anticipated.
Context within Canada’s provincial immigration system
Provincial nominee programs remain a key component of Canada’s immigration system, allowing provinces to select candidates based on regional economic priorities. Ontario operates one of the largest such programs in the country.
Other provinces, including Manitoba, continue to conduct regular draws under their own systems, such as the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program, which uses points-based selection criteria.
Recent activity across provinces shows continued use of targeted occupation draws and regional initiatives aimed at addressing workforce shortages.
Ongoing updates expected
Further immigration rounds and program updates are expected as provinces adjust nomination pathways in line with labour demand and legislative changes. Ontario’s upcoming reforms are likely to shape future invitation patterns.
Readers can follow ongoing coverage of provincial immigration draws and policy updates for the latest verified developments.