Maple News reports that the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) issued 468 invitations across five separate draws on August 28, targeting foreign workers and international graduates with job offers in specific areas of the province. These latest rounds continue Ontario’s efforts to attract skilled candidates to underrepresented regions, particularly through the Employer Job Offer stream.
The draws focused on candidates with valid job offers in Northern Ontario and those eligible under the Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) pilot. Invitations were extended through three major streams: Foreign Worker, International Student, and In-Demand Skills.
Candidates selected had submitted expressions of interest between July 2 and August 28, 2025, through Ontario’s Expression of Interest (EOI) system. Notably, all invitees were required to already be residing in Canada to be considered for the targeted invitations.
Northern Ontario, which includes regions such as Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Kenora, and Algoma, received a dedicated allocation of invitations to help fuel economic growth in areas that have historically faced talent shortages. Specifically, 94 invitations went to foreign workers under the Employer Job Offer stream (minimum score of 53), while 236 were issued to international students (minimum score of 66).
The REDI pilot, an ongoing OINP initiative, aims to re-balance immigration flows by encouraging talent to settle beyond large metropolitan centers. Through this pathway, Ontario uses its nomination powers to strategically channel skilled workers and recent graduates to communities that need them most.
Ontario’s Employer Job Offer streams require candidates to have a legitimate job offer from an eligible employer in the province for a qualifying role. They also must meet education, experience, and skill criteria relevant to their stream.
As Ontario continues to refine its provincial nomination strategies, the focus on regional development has become increasingly central to the province’s long-term immigration goals. These PNP draws reflect a targeted approach designed to address demographic and labor market gaps throughout the province.
Maple News will continue to monitor and report on developments in Ontario’s PNP as the province expands its reach to international talent through region-focused immigration priorities.