Maple News reports that Ontario invited 995 candidates to apply for a provincial nomination in its latest round of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), held on September 21. This draw targeted applicants under two key immigration streams: the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream and the Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream.
A total of 406 invitations were issued to candidates under the Foreign Worker Stream, requiring a minimum Expression of Interest (EOI) score of 37. This was a general draw with no specific occupations or geographic locations prioritized, giving diverse professionals a wider opportunity to qualify.
Meanwhile, 523 candidates were invited through the International Student Stream. These candidates needed an EOI score of at least 61. The draw underscores Ontario’s continued interest in retaining international graduates who have studied in Canada and now hold job offers from Ontario-based employers.
Additionally, 66 invitations were extended under the Regional Immigration Pilot program, a special initiative meant to support labor market needs in smaller communities across Ontario. Of these, 36 were directed toward foreign workers and 30 toward international students. This reflects the province’s strategic goal of spreading immigration benefits more evenly beyond major urban centers.
The Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream is designed for skilled professionals who possess at least two years of work experience in a qualifying occupation and an eligible job offer from an Ontario employer. Candidates can apply from outside of Canada, as long as they meet the requirements.
Likewise, the International Student Stream is tailored to recent graduates from eligible Canadian post-secondary institutions who have secured a permanent job offer from an Ontario employer. Both streams require applicants to create an EOI profile through the province’s online system, where they are scored based on various human capital factors.
Ontario’s use of the EOI system allows the province to efficiently target candidates who best match its economic and labor market demands. These regular draws are part of Ontario’s broader strategy to meet its immigration quota through targeted invitations to skilled individuals who can help fill gaps in the workforce.
With Canada’s ongoing commitment to attract global talent through provincial nominee programs, Ontario remains a top destination for skilled workers and international graduates aiming for permanent residency.
Maple News will continue to provide updates on upcoming OINP draws and immigration trends across the country.