Ontario Issues Over 2,000 Invitations to Foreign Workers and Students

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) conducted 12 targeted draws across four regions of Ontario, issuing a total of 2,102 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) on April 23, 2026. The draws were part of Ontario’s Employer Job Offer streams, targeting Foreign Workers, International Students, and In-Demand Skills candidates who have job offers within the province.

Key Regional Breakdown and Minimum Scores

The OINP’s latest draw focused on inviting candidates from various regions with job offers in key industries. Invitations were issued under three main streams: Foreign Worker, International Student, and In-Demand Skills.

• Foreign Worker Stream
  This stream aimed at skilled foreign workers with job offers in Ontario. The minimum score to receive an invitation varied by region:
  
  • Eastern Ontario: 63 invitations, minimum score of 318
  • Northern Ontario: 60 invitations, minimum score of 57
  • Southwestern Ontario: 60 invitations, minimum score of 194
  • Central Ontario (excluding GTA): 60 invitations, minimum score of 128
• The occupations eligible in this stream varied depending on the region’s labor market needs.
  
• International Student Stream
  This stream targeted international students with job offers in Ontario. The number of invitations issued and minimum scores for each region were:
  
  • Eastern Ontario: 173 invitations, minimum score of 87
  • Northern Ontario: 167 invitations, minimum score of 87
  • Southwestern Ontario: 173 invitations, minimum score of 84
  • Central Ontario: 173 invitations, minimum score of 85
• Eligible occupations for this stream were broader and included roles in healthcare, social services, trades, and administrative jobs.
  
• In-Demand Skills Stream
  This stream focused on candidates with skills in high-demand occupations. All regions had a minimum score of 34, with the following number of invitations issued:
  
  • Eastern Ontario: 48 invitations
  • Northern Ontario: 79 invitations
  • Southwestern Ontario: 430 invitations
  • Central Ontario (excluding GTA): 162 invitations
• The eligible occupations in this stream varied by region and covered a wide range of in-demand fields.
  

A Busy Month for Ontario's Immigration Draws

This round of draws marks the fifth set of invitation rounds for Ontario in April 2026. Previous draws were held on April 1, April 8, April 15, and April 22. Among all the regions, Southwestern Ontario received the largest share of invitations, with 797 ITAs issued across all three streams, while Northern Ontario received the fewest, with 303 invitations.

Next Steps for Invited Candidates

Candidates who received an ITA in the April 23 draws must log into the OINP e-Filing Portal to begin their application process. Once there, they will need to click on the newly created file number starting with "JOXX" and complete their application. The deadline for submission is 17 calendar days from the date of invitation, while employers must submit their portion of the application within 14 calendar days.

After receiving a provincial nomination from Ontario, successful nominees can then apply for permanent residence (PR) with the federal government.

Changes Ahead for Ontario’s Immigration System

Ontario is preparing for significant changes to its immigration streams, which will take effect on May 30, 2026. These changes will phase out current categories like the Foreign Worker, International Student, and In-Demand Skills streams. Ontario plans to replace these streams with a consolidated Employer Job Offer stream and three new pathways, though details on these updates are still being finalized.

It’s uncertain when the new streams will launch, but the province is expected to provide more information soon. In the meantime, invited candidates must act quickly to complete their applications for permanent residence under the current system.