Ontario Slashes Immigration Quota for 2025 Amid Federal Cutbacks
Ontario has officially announced a significant reduction in its immigration intake for 2025, following major changes imposed by the federal government. The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) confirmed it will only be allowed to nominate 10,750 candidates this year—a 50% cut from the 21,500 nominations it issued in 2024.
This dramatic reduction is expected to cause longer processing times and affect the province’s ability to meet labour demands in key industries.
Reduced Quota Likely to Impact Skilled Workers and Employers
The OINP has stated that despite the reduced allocation, the province remains committed to selecting candidates who can help fill critical labour shortages. However, with fewer nomination spots available, competition will intensify, and processing times are expected to increase across all streams.
Applicants are being advised to remain patient, as all applications will be reviewed within the new program constraints introduced by the federal cuts.
OINP Program Streams Remain Open—For Now
As of now, all streams under the OINP remain open. However, the actual number of invitations issued has been minimal. So far in 2025, Ontario has conducted just one draw—on January 15, under the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream. This draw invited only four candidates, all of whom were part of the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot, a specialized program targeting refugees and displaced talent.
The province has not issued any updates regarding future draw dates or frequency under its other popular streams such as the Human Capital Priorities Stream, Masters Graduate Stream, or Skilled Trades Stream.
Federal Immigration Plan Sparks Nationwide Cuts
Ontario’s situation mirrors that of most Canadian provinces. The sharp decrease in provincial nominations stems from the 2025–2027 Federal Immigration Levels Plan, released in October 2024. This plan reduced Canada’s total immigration targets by 20% overall, but cut Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allocations by 50%—a decision that has sparked concern among employers and immigration advocates alike.
The PNP landing target for 2025 now sits at 55,000, down from 110,000 in 2024.
Not All Provinces Affected Equally
One notable exception is Newfoundland and Labrador, which managed to negotiate a return to its 2024 PNP allocation. In exchange, the province committed to accepting a higher number of humanitarian and refugee-class immigrants over the next two years.
This move has raised questions about whether other provinces might pursue similar negotiations to offset the federal cutbacks.
What This Means for Prospective Immigrants
If you’re planning to immigrate to Ontario through the OINP in 2025, here are key takeaways:
- Expect fewer invitations and longer waits.
- All OINP streams are currently open, but activity remains limited.
- Priority will be given to candidates who match Ontario’s most urgent labour market needs.
- If you’re outside of Canada, consider federal pathways or explore options in provinces with more flexible allocations.
For a consultation about Immigration options, reach out to the CAD IMMIGRATION today!
