On February 2, 2026, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) completed a landmark series of targeted draws, issuing 1,825 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency. As Maple News reports, the province continues to prioritize healthcare, early childhood education, and regional workforce development in its latest immigration efforts.
The majority of ITAs—1,649—were extended to healthcare professionals and early childhood educators through the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker and International Student streams. These candidates are already residing in Canada and hold valid job offers in high-demand roles, including registered nurses (NOC 31301), nurse practitioners (NOC 31302), early childhood educators (NOC 42202), and more. To qualify, applicants needed a minimum score of 36 points in the Foreign Worker stream or 56 points in the International Student stream.
In a focused effort to attract medical specialists, Ontario also issued 129 invitations to physicians under the Foreign Worker stream. Eligible physicians included general practitioners, surgeons, and specialists in laboratory or clinical medicine (NOC 31100–31102). The minimum required score for these candidates was 33.
The province also advanced its Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) pilot, targeting 47 candidates for settlement in underserved Eastern Ontario communities, particularly within the Lanark and Leeds and Grenville census divisions. These candidates were selected across three OINP streams, each with specific occupational focus and score thresholds:
– Foreign Worker Stream (Score 44+): Targeted software engineers, nurses, and ECEs.
– International Student Stream (Score 69+): Targeted professions such as graphic designers and pharmacy assistants.
– In-Demand Skills Stream (Score 34+): Focus included manufacturing and trades roles like material handlers and home support workers.
All invited candidates must act promptly. Employers are required to submit a position approval application within 14 calendar days, while candidates must complete their application and payment within 17 calendar days of their invitation. Additionally, eligible Expression of Interest (EOI) profiles must have been submitted and attested by January 28, 2026.
This latest round of invitations reflects Ontario’s commitment to filling healthcare shortages and boosting regional development through strategic immigration. As the province continues to strengthen labor needs across multiple sectors, initiatives like these mark significant steps in retaining global talent.
Maple News will continue to monitor developments in provincial immigration programs as Canada gears up for a competitive and skilled future.