Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) Updates: Current Pathways to Permanent Residence Amid Changes in Provincial Immigration

In 2025, prospective immigrants seeking permanent residence in Ontario through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) have encountered a shift in the program’s operation. Compared to 2024, when the OINP issued 14,760 invitations to apply (ITAs) in just the first two months, the 2025 issuance numbers have dropped significantly, with only 4 ITAs issued so far. This reduction reflects broader trends in Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) as provinces adjust to changes in their immigration allocations for the year.

This article will provide an overview of the OINP streams that are currently open, explain the eligibility requirements for each, and give insight into the challenges and changes to provincial immigration programs in Canada.

Which OINP Streams Are Accepting Applications and ITAs?

As of early 2025, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program has seen a reduction in the number of draws and invitations. However, a few key streams remain open, with some actively accepting Expressions of Interest (EOIs) and issuing ITAs.

1. Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream
In 2025, this stream saw its first and only draw so far on January 4, issuing 4 ITAs for candidates in the federal Economic Mobility Pathways Project (EMPP). This project is designed to support skilled refugees and displaced individuals in securing employment in Canada.

2. Employer Job Offer Streams
The following Employer Job Offer streams are still accepting EOIs from applicants:

• Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream
• Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream
• Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream

These streams require candidates to have a job offer from an eligible employer in Ontario. Each of these streams has specific requirements, such as work experience, education, and specific job offer conditions, such as full-time, permanent, skilled positions that pay at or above the median wage for the occupation.

3. Graduate Streams
Ontario’s graduate streams are open to individuals who have completed their studies at eligible Ontario institutions:

• Master’s Graduate Stream – Available to candidates with a Master’s degree from a recognized Ontario school.
• PhD Graduate Stream – Available to candidates with a PhD from a recognized Ontario school.

Applicants for these streams must meet language proficiency requirements, have lived in Ontario for at least one of the past two years, and apply within two years of their graduation.

4. Express Entry-Aligned Streams
Candidates with valid Express Entry profiles can also be considered for OINP nomination through the following Express Entry-aligned streams:

• Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream
• Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream
• Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream

For these streams, applicants do not need to submit an EOI to the province. Instead, they must keep their Express Entry profiles up to date and meet the specific eligibility criteria for each stream. The OINP will proactively select eligible candidates from the Express Entry pool and issue Notifications of Interest (NOIs). Candidates who receive NOIs can then apply for provincial nomination, which could boost their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score by 600 points.

Eligibility Criteria for OINP Streams

Each OINP stream has specific eligibility requirements that candidates must meet in order to be considered. Here’s an overview of some of the main criteria:

Employer Job Offer Streams
For all Employer Job Offer streams (Foreign Worker, International Student, In-Demand Skills), candidates must:

• Have a full-time, permanent job offer from an Ontario employer.
• Meet the wage requirements for the occupation.
• Be able to demonstrate work experience or qualifications as required by the stream.

Graduate Streams
The Master’s and PhD Graduate streams require:

• A degree from an eligible Ontario institution.
• Language proficiency of at least CLB 7 (Canadian Language Benchmark).
• An intention to live in Ontario once nominated.

Express Entry Streams
For Express Entry-aligned streams, candidates must:

• Have an active Express Entry profile.
• Meet specific work experience and language proficiency requirements.
• Provide evidence of settlement funds.

General Requirements for All Streams

• Candidates must intend to reside in Ontario once they become permanent residents.
• Candidates must maintain legal temporary status in Canada during the application process (for those applying from within Canada).

Why Has Provincial Immigration Slowed in 2025?

The slowdown in provincial immigration in Canada, including Ontario, can largely be attributed to a significant reduction in immigration allocations for 2025. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) halved the total allocation for provincial nominee programs (PNPs) in 2025, from 110,000 nominations in 2024 to just 55,000.

This reduction in allocation was made in response to rising housing costs and affordability pressures across Canada. Provincial governments, including Ontario, are adjusting their immigration programs to reflect these changes. This has led to delays in some PNP activities, as provinces try to manage their reduced allocations. In addition, some provinces, like New Brunswick, have imposed stricter eligibility criteria and new restrictions on their streams, while others like the Yukon have delayed the start of their 2025 intakes.

Ontario has not provided a timeline for when additional draws or changes to its immigration streams might occur but has confirmed its intent to maintain all existing immigration pathways.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Ontario’s Immigration Pathways

Despite the ongoing changes, Ontario continues to welcome skilled workers, graduates, and other talented individuals through its immigration streams. The province is adjusting to the new realities of reduced federal immigration allocations while working to support those who are eligible for nomination.

For candidates interested in applying through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program, it is crucial to stay informed about the latest updates and maintain an up-to-date application, especially for Express Entry-aligned streams.

For a consultation about Immigration options, reach out to the CAD IMMIGRATION today!