Maple News reports that Ontario’s Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) issued 759 Invitations to Apply on April 1, 2026, in a targeted draw focused on construction and mining-related occupations across the province. This round is the fifth invitation batch of 2026 and the first to specifically target mining roles. Invitations were issued under three streams: Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker (FW), International Student (IS), and In-Demand Skills (IDS). To be invited, candidates must currently reside in Canada with a valid work or study permit.
The April 1 draw follows rounds conducted on February 2, February 18, March 18, and March 25, underscoring Ontario’s ongoing use of the provincial nomination program to address labour needs in key sectors.
Among the total 759 Invitations to Apply, 372 were issued under the Foreign Worker stream, 355 under the International Student stream, and 32 under the In-Demand Skills stream. The minimum scores attached to each stream were 56 for FW, 85 for IS, and 34 for IDS. Eligible National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes were 14 for FW, 15 for IS, and 1 for IDS.
Eligible profiles must have been created and attested to—supported by a qualifying job offer from an eligible Ontario employer—between July 2, 2025, and March 30, 2026 (11:59 p.m.).
The occupations targeted in this draw centered on mining and construction sectors, including mining engineers, geological engineers, electrical and electronics engineers, welders, heavy-duty equipment mechanics, and industrial mechanics. This underscores Ontario’s focus on strengthening capacity in mining and related trades as part of its labour market strategy.
Ontario’s approach continues to reflect robust demand for skilled engineers and tradespeople in regional sectors. Maple News will monitor OINP activity as 2026 progresses and additional rounds are announced.