Maple News reports that on September 14, Ontario extended invitations to 691 international graduates under its Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), signaling continued support for skilled international talent educated in the province.
According to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), 627 invitations were issued under the Masters Graduate stream, while 64 were directed to potential candidates eligible through the PhD Graduate stream. These candidates were selected from Ontario’s Expression of Interest (EOI) system, which ranks applicants based on various human capital factors designed to assess their potential to succeed in the province.
To qualify for this round, Master’s degree holders needed a minimum EOI score of 35, whereas PhD candidates required at least 16 points. This draw marks the third and largest selection for the Masters Graduate stream since Ontario implemented the EOI selection process, and the second draw for PhD graduates.
The differing thresholds and draw sizes highlight a broader trend: significantly more international students graduate with master’s degrees in Ontario annually—thousands compared to only hundreds earning PhDs. This supply difference likely influences both the frequency and competitiveness of each stream.
Ontario’s Masters Graduate stream allows international graduates from eligible Ontario universities to apply for a provincial nomination without requiring a job offer. However, applicants must submit their application within two years of graduation. Participating institutions include top schools like the University of Toronto, McMaster University, Queen’s University, and Western University, among others.
The OINP evaluates EOI profiles based on factors like education, job offer skill level, Canadian work experience, official language proficiency, and the geographic region of study or employment. An additional 10 points can be awarded at the province’s discretion to align with labor market priorities.
For many graduates, receiving a provincial nomination significantly strengthens their application for Canadian permanent residency, positioning Ontario as a continued top destination for global academic talent.
With immigration remaining a cornerstone of Ontario’s economic and demographic strategy, international graduates can expect new opportunities through the OINP’s efficiently structured selection process. Maple News will continue to closely monitor new developments in provincial and federal immigration draws.