Maple News reports that Ontario has significantly reduced its immigration intake under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) for 2025, slashing its allocation to just 10,750 nominations—less than half of the 21,500 spots offered in 2024. The province quietly confirmed the change in a notice posted to its official portal, signaling potential challenges for skilled workers hoping to secure permanent residency through provincial streams this year.
With fewer nomination spots available, the OINP has warned that applicants should anticipate longer processing times across its immigration categories. Ontario cited new program constraints as the primary reason for this reduction, though details about federal-level changes or policy shifts remain unclear.
Despite the cutback, the province reaffirmed its commitment to selecting candidates who can help address what it calls its “most critical labour shortages.” Officials say all OINP streams remain open for applications, but the lowered quotas suggest increased competition and stricter selection criteria for those seeking nomination.
So far in 2025, Ontario has only conducted a single draw, issuing invitations on January 15 under its Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream. That draw, part of the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot, targeted just four individuals—highlighting the cautious pace of approvals this year.
According to Maple News, Ontario joins a growing list of provinces experiencing significant reductions in their federal nomination allotments. The federal government appears to be recalibrating its overall permanent resident intake targets through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), affecting nearly all participating provinces.
While the OINP has yet to offer additional clarification, prospective applicants are advised to monitor updates closely and ensure their applications are tailored to Ontario’s evolving labour market priorities. Those in in-demand occupations, such as healthcare, tech, and skilled trades, may still have competitive advantages as the province realigns its nomination strategy.
Maple News will continue to track developments related to provincial nominee program allocations and provide updates as more information becomes available.