Maple News reports that the province of Ontario has conducted its first round of invitations for international graduates under its newly revamped Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams targeting Masters and PhD graduates. The two draws, held on August 18, mark the first PNP invitations since Ontario introduced changes to its Expression of Interest (EOI) intake system for these categories earlier this month.
A total of 479 candidates were invited to apply for a provincial nomination through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). Of these, 402 invitations were issued under the Masters Graduate stream to candidates who achieved a minimum EOI score of 39. In a separate draw, 77 candidates in the PhD Graduate stream received invitations with EOI scores as low as 17.
These streams specifically target international students who have earned a Master’s or Doctorate degree from an eligible Ontario institution. Importantly, applicants do not need a job offer to qualify. To be considered, candidates must register an Expression of Interest through Ontario’s e-Filing Portal and submit their application within two years of graduation.
The EOI scoring system rewards applicants based on several human capital criteria, including education level, language proficiency, Canadian work experience, wage and job skill level (if applicable), and the location of their study or employment. The OINP may also assign up to 10 discretionary points to help align immigration intakes with regional labor market needs.
The changes to Ontario’s graduate immigration streams reflect a broader strategy to attract highly educated immigrants who demonstrate strong potential to contribute to the province’s economy and society. By removing the job offer requirement for graduate streams and implementing a points-based EOI system, Ontario is increasing transparency and accessibility for candidates hoping to permanently settle in the province.
These targeted draws are part of Ontario’s commitment to welcoming international graduates and responding to shifting labor market trends, particularly in academia, research, and high-skilled sectors.
Maple News will continue to monitor provincial immigration updates as more draws are expected in the coming months under the revised OINP structure.