Ontario Reaches 2024 PNP Allocation Limit: What This Means for Future Applicants
Ontario’s Provincial Nominee Program (OINP) has reached its full allocation for 2024, marking a significant milestone in the province’s immigration system. This announcement comes as Ontario successfully issued a total of 21,500 nominations across its various streams, assisting thousands of foreign nationals in their pursuit of permanent residence (PR) in Canada. The OINP will continue to accept applications under its 2025 allocation, but there are several key changes and future trends applicants should be aware of.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Ontario’s 2024 Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Overview
- Total Nominations Issued
- Breakdown of Invitations to Apply (ITAs)
- Understanding the OINP Process: ITAs vs Provincial Nominations
- What’s Next for OINP in 2025
- Expected Cuts to Provincial Nomination Allocations
- Immigration Levels Plan for 2025
- Changes in the OINP for 2024
- Closure of Entrepreneur Stream
- Conclusion: What to Expect for the Future
1. Introduction
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is a key immigration pathway for foreign nationals who wish to live and work in Ontario, one of Canada’s most populous and economically vital provinces. In 2024, the program saw a significant uptick in activity, issuing over 22,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency. The province met its 21,500 provincial nomination allocation, marking a strong year for both candidates and the province’s economy. However, with the changing dynamics of Canada’s immigration policy, OINP is facing reductions in its 2025 targets.
2. Ontario’s 2024 Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Overview
Total Nominations Issued
As of December 23, 2024, Ontario has reached its maximum provincial nomination allocation for the year, issuing 21,500 nominations across a variety of immigration streams. These nominations play a crucial role in helping skilled workers, students, and entrepreneurs secure permanent residency (PR) in Canada.
Breakdown of Invitations to Apply (ITAs)
Throughout the year, the OINP issued more than 22,000 ITAs across the following categories:
- Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream: 6,695 ITAs
- Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream: 8,363 ITAs
- Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream: 914 ITAs
- Masters Graduate Stream: 5,519 ITAs
- PhD Graduate Stream: 533 ITAs
- Entrepreneur Stream: No ITAs issued
The highest number of invitations was issued under the Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream, with 8,363 ITAs. The Masters Graduate Stream and Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream also saw strong activity, indicating a robust demand for skilled labor in Ontario.
3. Understanding the OINP Process: ITAs vs Provincial Nominations
It’s important to understand the difference between an Invitation to Apply (ITA) and a provincial nomination. Here’s how the OINP process works:
- Step 1: Expression of Interest (EOI): Foreign nationals create a profile and submit it for consideration. They may be passively or actively considered for nomination, depending on whether their profile is aligned with a specific stream.
- Step 2: Invitation to Apply (ITA): If selected, candidates are issued an ITA to submit a full application to the OINP.
- Step 3: Provincial Nomination: If the application is successful, candidates receive a provincial nomination. This nomination significantly boosts the candidate’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score in the Express Entry system, increasing their chances of receiving an ITA from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Candidates who are nominated under an enhanced stream, which is aligned with Express Entry, receive a maximum of 600 CRS points, making them highly likely to receive an ITA for PR in the next Express Entry draw.
4. What’s Next for OINP in 2025
Expected Cuts to Provincial Nomination Allocations
While Ontario remains a top destination for immigration, the number of provincial nominations available in 2025 is expected to decrease significantly. The change comes as part of Canada’s broader shift in its Immigration Levels Plan.
In the 2023 Immigration Levels Plan, all provinces were allocated a total of 110,000 admissions for 2024 to be distributed among provincial programs. However, in the 2024-2026 Immigration Levels Plan, these provincial admissions have been halved to 55,000 for 2025. Given Ontario’s popularity and its historical demand for skilled workers, it’s expected that the OINP’s nomination allocation will be reduced, along with allocations for other provinces.
Immigration Levels Plan for 2025
The 2025 Immigration Levels Plan signals a tightening of provincial nominations. This is expected to lead to more competition for spots within the OINP, especially for categories that are most popular, like the Employer Job Offer streams and Masters Graduate Stream. With the reduction in provincial admissions, Ontario may shift its focus to align with federal needs and demographic targets, potentially creating a more selective process for candidates.
5. Changes in the OINP for 2024
The OINP also implemented several key changes in 2024:
- Closure of the Entrepreneur Stream: In 2024, Ontario announced the closure of its Entrepreneur Stream, which had been a pathway for experienced businesspeople to invest and operate a business in Ontario. No new ITAs were issued under this stream, and currently, no plans have been announced for a replacement.
The closure of this stream adds to the uncertainty for future applicants in the entrepreneurial space, and applicants may need to explore other provincial programs or business immigration options if they wish to pursue opportunities in Ontario.
6. Conclusion: What to Expect for the Future
As Ontario reaches its 2024 PNP allocation limit, foreign nationals looking to immigrate to the province in 2025 should be aware of the changing landscape. The likely reductions in Ontario’s provincial nomination allocation, combined with the recent closure of the Entrepreneur Stream, indicate that future applicants may face more stringent selection criteria.
Those interested in the OINP should closely monitor announcements regarding 2025 allocations and prepare for more competitive conditions. For those who meet the requirements, Ontario will remain an attractive destination, but applicants may need to demonstrate stronger qualifications or explore alternative immigration streams to improve their chances of receiving a nomination.
The OINP continues to be a critical part of Canada’s immigration system, and while challenges may arise, those who stay informed and proactive will have the best chance of success in the coming years.
For a free consultation about your work permit and student permit options, reach out to the CAD IMMIGRATION today!
