If you’re planning to immigrate to Canada and specifically want to settle in Ontario, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is one of the most popular pathways. Ontario is Canada’s most populous province and offers multiple migration routes tailored for students, skilled workers, and foreign workers. The OINP gives you the chance to receive a provincial nomination, significantly increasing your chances of obtaining Canadian permanent residence (PR).

Ontario historically receives one of the largest shares of PNP allocations, this increase strongly indicates that Ontario’s OINP nomination quota for 2026 is expected to be higher than 2025 allocation.

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)

The OINP is Ontario’s Provincial Nominee Program. It allows the Government of Ontario to nominate candidates who have the skills and experience needed in the Ontario labor market. Once nominated, you can apply for Canadian PR either through Express Entry or a paper-based application (depending on the stream).

Province-nominee programs are part of a shared responsibility between provinces and the Federal Government of Canada. While Ontario selects you, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) grants the final PR visa.

Why OINP Is Popular in Canada

Ontario is a top destination for many immigrants because:

• It offers multiple PR pathways, including student and employer-driven streams.

• It has Express Entry alignment, giving successful candidates an automatic 600 points for PR.

• It attracts skilled workers from technology, health, finance, trades, and other sectors.

This versatility means Ontario appeals to:

• International graduates
• Skilled workers with job offers
• Express Entry candidates
• Workers with in-demand skills without an offer (in specific cases)

How OINP Works: Stream Categories

Ontario divides its immigration streams into two main categories:

1. Expression of Interest (EOI) Streams

These operate through an online ranking system. You submit an EOI profile with your qualifications, language ability, job details, etc. Ontario periodically invites top candidates to apply for a nomination.

Eligible EOI Streams Include:

• Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker

• Employer Job Offer: International Student

• Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills

• Masters Graduate

• PhD Graduate

2. Express Entry Linked Streams

For these streams, you must first have a valid Express Entry profile. Ontario reviews the Express Entry pool and sends Notifications of Interest (NOIs) to profiles that match their criteria.

Express Entry Streams:

• Human Capital Priorities Stream

• French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream

• Skilled Trades Stream

Once nominated through these streams, candidates get 600 extra CRS points in Express Entry, increasing their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for PR.

OINP Expression of Interest (EOI) Streams

The EOI streams are best suited for applicants who do not yet have a nomination but meet Ontario’s labor market requirements. You do not submit a PR application yet — you submit an EOI.

1. Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream

This stream is for:

• Skilled workers with a full-time, long-term job offer from an Ontario employer
• Jobs must be in Career-oriented NOC TEER 0/1/2/3 occupations

Eligibility Highlights:

• A permanent job offer in Ontario

• Employer compliance with Ontario employment standards

• Proof of qualifications for the job

2. Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream

For international students who:

• Completed a full-time degree/diploma in Ontario
• Receive a qualifying job offer
• Work permit status is valid at the time of application

This stream is extremely attractive to Ontario graduates as it bridges study → work → PR.

3. Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream

This is for workers in specific in-demand occupations such as:

• Agriculture & Crop Research
• Construction
• Transport
• Manufacturing
• Logging and Fishing

Key points:

• A job offer from an Ontario employer is required.
• Work experience in the job category is expected.
• Language, education, and wage criteria vary by occupation.

4. Masters Graduate Stream

For applicants with a master’s degree from an eligible Ontario institution.
Applicants do not require a job offer — a key advantage for fresh graduates.

Eligibility Snapshot:

• Completed OG degree within 2 years
• Intend to live and work in Ontario
• Meet settlement funds requirements

5. PhD Graduate Stream

For doctoral graduates:

• Awarded a PhD from a publicly funded Ontario institution
• No job offer required
• Must be living in Ontario at the time of application

How Ontario’s EOI Points System Works

Ontario uses an EOI system to rank candidates before issuing Invitations To Apply (ITAs). Although Ontario doesn’t publicly share the exact algorithm weights, the following key factors form the basis of scoring:

Your rank within the EOI pool determines whether Ontario invites you to apply.

Express Entry Linked Streams

These streams draw directly from the Express Entry pool, managed by IRCC.

1. Human Capital Priorities Stream

Targets candidates with:

• Strong language proficiency
• Skilled work experience
• A mid-to-high Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score in Express Entry

Ontario sends a Notification of Interest (NOI) to selected candidates, who then apply to OINP.

2. French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream

For French-English bilingual candidates with strong profiles:

• Ability in both French and English
• Post-secondary education
• Skilled work experience

Emphasis is on enhancing Ontario’s Francophone workforce.

3. Skilled Trades Stream

For candidates with:

• Express Entry profile
• Work experience in skilled trades
• Canadian or international work experience in NOC TEER 2 or 3 trades

This stream focuses on occupations where tradespeople are in demand.

Official Ontario Draw Results And Invitations

Ontario regularly publishes official draw results for both EOI and Express Entry streams.

Example EOI Invitations (2024–2025)

These numbers show how Ontario’s activity shifted from 2024 to 2025, especially in the graduate streams where Masters and PhD invitations were paused temporarily during updates.

Application Deadlines and Timelines

Once Ontario invites you to apply:

• Masters/PhD Graduate stream: apply within 14 days of invitation

• Employer Job Offer streams: employer submits their portion within 14 days, and the applicant has 17 days to submit

Failure to submit within deadlines means your EOI may not be processed.

Conclusion

Ensure your job offer (if required) meets wage and duration criteria

• Verify your language test results against CLB requirements
• Submit authentic documentation (education, work experience, job offer letters)
• Monitor Ontario’s official invitation pages regularly
• Apply quickly after receiving an invitation — missing deadlines cancels your opportunity