The Ontario government has begun its next immigrant selection process through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) which serves as its immigration strategy for 2026. The province conducted five new OINP draws on March 25 which resulted in 1112 Invitations to Apply (ITA) for permanent resident status. The draws took place in different regions of Ontario which selected candidates who possessed genuine employment offers through their available pathways. The selection demonstrates how Ontario continues to meet regional workforce requirements while driving economic development.
Highlights of 5 New Ontario OINP Draws
● Draw Date – 25 March 2026
● Total Draws – 5
● Number of Invitations – 1,112
● Streams – Foreign Worker, International Student, In-Demand Skills
Complete Information About All 5 OINP Draws
Ontario executed five area-specific draws which selected candidates from various regions of the province according to existing labour requirements.
| Region | Invitations | Streams | Min. Score Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greater Toronto Area (GTA) | 431 | Foreign Worker, International Student | 61-90 |
| Southwestern Ontario | 251 | Foreign Worker, International Student | 53-81 |
| Central Ontario (excl. GTA) | 199 | Foreign Worker, International Student, In-Demand Skills | 32-82 |
| Eastern Ontario | 174 | Foreign Worker, International Student, In-Demand Skills | 34-83 |
| Northern Ontario | 57 | Foreign Worker, International Student | 54-80 |
| Total | 1,112 | — | — |
The Greater Toronto Area received the highest number of invitations, which demonstrated the strong need for skilled workers in Ontario’s largest economic area.
Selection Strategy Based on Geographic Regions
The draw selected candidates from specific regions through its job offer system, which required candidates to possess work offers in particular geographic locations.
The selection process included the following areas –
● GTA (Durham, Halton, Peel, Toronto, York)
● Southwestern Ontario
● Central Ontario (excluding GTA)
● Eastern Ontario
● Northern Ontario
Ontario uses targeted draws to distribute immigrants throughout different areas, which helps to decrease population pressure on major urban centers while it promotes development in less populated regions.
Minimum Score Requirements by Stream
The minimum score requirements varied by region and stream –
● Foreign Worker Stream – 53 to 61+
● International Student Stream – up to 90 (highest in GTA)
● In-Demand Skills Stream – as low as 32 (Central Ontario)
The lowest score (32) under the In-Demand Skills stream shows that candidates with lower scores still have strong chances if they meet labour market needs.
Eligibility Criteria for This Draw
To be eligible for these OINP draws, candidates needed to:
● Have a valid job offer in Ontario
● Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) profile
● Create their profile before March 23, 2026 (11:59 PM)
● Meet requirements under the selected stream
The system only considered profiles which had all required conditions for invitation assessment.
What Happens After Receiving an Invitation
Candidates who receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) must submit their application within –
● 17 days (Employer Job Offer streams)
● The employer needs to complete job approval submission within 14 days.
The successful candidates who receive provincial nomination have a better chance to secure Canada permanent residency.
Why This Draw Is Important
The March 25, 2026 OINP draws are significant because they –
● Issued 1,112 PR invitations across 5 regions
● Focused on regional labour market needs
● Offered opportunities even at lower score ranges (32+)
● Targeted both foreign workers and international graduates
The immigration system of Ontario now adopts a regional approach according to this development.