Maple News reports that the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has officially reached its full nomination quota for the year 2024. As of December 23, the province had issued all 21,500 nominations allocated by the federal government under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
The OINP is now shifting focus to its 2025 nomination cycle, though Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has not yet confirmed the number of nominations Ontario will be allowed to issue in the new year. Maple News understands that, based on past cycles and evolving federal immigration strategies, the 2025 allocation may be smaller as provinces across Canada adjust to revised targets.
In 2024, Ontario was highly active in identifying and selecting skilled immigrants. Throughout the year, over 22,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued across its various streams. It’s important to note that an ITA is not the same as a provincial nomination. An ITA allows a candidate to submit a full application for nomination, which, if approved, leads to their formal endorsement by Ontario.
The top-performing OINP streams in 2024 based on ITAs issued were:
– Employer Job Offer: International Student – 8,363 ITAs
– Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker – 6,695 ITAs
– Masters Graduate – 5,519 ITAs
– Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills – 914 ITAs
– PhD Graduate – 533 ITAs
– Entrepreneur Stream – 0 ITAs
Ontario uses both ‘base’ and ‘enhanced’ PNP streams under its program. Base streams operate independently of the federal Express Entry system, while enhanced streams are aligned with it and provide an additional 600 CRS points to candidates upon provincial nomination. This significant boost often ensures success in subsequent Express Entry draws, making these streams a popular route for skilled workers seeking permanent residence.
Looking into 2025, while the exact nomination numbers are still pending, early expectations suggest Ontario may have to manage a reduced allocation. This possible reduction is in line with broader federal goals of striking a balance between immigration levels and system capacity, especially in areas such as housing and public services.
Applicants interested in immigrating through the OINP are encouraged to stay informed and prepare their profiles in advance, especially those targeting high-demand sectors such as health care, tech, and education that are frequently prioritized in draws.
Maple News will continue to monitor updates from Ontario and IRCC as details on the 2025 quota become available and will provide timely guidance for aspiring immigrants navigating the PNP process.