In a major boost for aspiring immigrants, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) conducted multiple draws on April 8, 2026, issuing a total of 1,828 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to foreign workers and international students.
These draws focused on key sectors such as healthcare, Francophone candidates, physicians and regional development streams highlighting Ontario’s continued efforts to attract skilled talent to meet labour market demands.
Key Highlights from the Draws
The invitations were issued under Ontario’s Employer Job Offer streams, including:
- Foreign Worker Stream
- International Student Stream
- In-Demand Skills Stream
To qualify, candidates were required to be currently residing in Canada with a valid work or study permit and have a job offer from an eligible employer.
This marks Ontario’s sixth round of invitations in 2026, reflecting a consistent push to welcome skilled professionals across industries.
Healthcare & Education Dominate Invitations
The largest share of invitations 1,635 ITAs was issued to candidates in:
- Nursing and healthcare roles
- Early childhood education
Notably, the minimum score requirements dropped significantly:
- Foreign Worker stream: 20 (down from 36)
- International Student stream: 46 (down from 56)
This reduction indicates Ontario’s urgent need to fill critical gaps in the healthcare and education sectors.
Opportunities for Francophone Candidates
Ontario also invited 146 Francophone candidates across all three streams. These invitations covered a wide range of occupations including:
- Business and finance
- IT and engineering
- Healthcare and education
- Skilled trades and manufacturing
This highlights Ontario’s continued commitment to strengthening its French-speaking workforce.
Regional Immigration Through REDI Pilot
Under the Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) pilot, 32 candidates received invitations for job opportunities in smaller communities such as:
- Lanark
- Leeds and Grenville
This initiative supports regional growth by attracting skilled workers outside major cities.
Dedicated Draw for Physicians
Ontario issued 15 ITAs to physicians, targeting specialists and general practitioners. This reflects the province’s strong focus on strengthening its healthcare system.
What Happens Next?
- Employers must submit job position approvals within 14 days
- Candidates must apply for nomination within 17 days
- Successful applicants can then apply for Canadian Permanent Residency (PR)
Major Changes Coming to Ontario Immigration
Ontario is preparing for a significant transformation of its immigration system. New legal changes, effective May 30, 2026, will replace existing streams such as:
- Foreign Worker
- International Student
- In-Demand Skills
Details on the new system are yet to be announced, making this a crucial time for candidates to act.
How Oasis Visas Can Help You
With evolving immigration policies and competitive selection processes, expert guidance is more important than ever.
Oasis Visas offers:
- Personalized eligibility assessments
- End-to-end application support
- Expert advice on PNP and PR pathways
Start your Canada immigration journey with confidence and connect with Oasis Visas today!
