Changing / invitation-basedCurrent tracker status
OINPProgram abbreviation
2026Current-year research
OfficialPrimary-source verification
How Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program selection works
Ontario is modernizing the OINP. In 2026, Ontario has issued invitations under employer job-offer, graduate and targeted priority pathways while also changing its Expression of Interest architecture. A candidate should check the exact stream, invitation date and current system status before relying on older OINP instructions.
Ontario announced that its EOI system closed on June 25, 2026 as part of program modernization and was expected to reopen under the updated system. Treat older “create an EOI now” instructions with caution.
Main pathways to research
Employer Job Offer: Foreign WorkerEmployer-supported pathway for eligible workers with qualifying Ontario job offers.
Employer Job Offer: International StudentEmployer-supported pathway for eligible recent graduates with qualifying Ontario job offers.
Employer Job Offer: In-Demand SkillsTargeted employer-supported pathway for eligible occupations.
Masters Graduate / PhD GraduateGraduate pathways with EOI/invitation requirements.
Ontario Express Entry streamsProvincial selection connected to federal Express Entry, including Ontario priority streams as configured under current rules.
Entrepreneur / legacy informationAlways confirm whether a business stream is currently accepting or only processing existing files.
2026 invitation / selection tracker
Shown in the format the province publishes. Always verify eligibility and the full selection criteria for the relevant intake.
| 2026 date | Published invitation update | Invitations / note |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 30 | Employer Job Offer – Foreign Worker / International Student | 1,063 invitations across targeted invitations |
| Apr 23 | Employer Job Offer targeted regional selection | Ontario published invitation rounds including 539 Foreign Worker invitations on this date |
| Apr 22 | Masters Graduate / PhD Graduate | Graduate-stream invitations published |
| Apr 15 | Employer Job Offer – In-Demand Skills | Targeted invitation round |
| Apr 8 | Multiple priority / targeted streams | Healthcare, ECE, Francophone, physician and regional selections published |
| Feb 2 | Multiple targeted invitations | Healthcare/ECE, physicians and regional priorities |
Official verification: Ontario 2026 OINP updates ↗
What to compare before choosing a province
- Whether a job offer is required, optional or irrelevant for the stream.
- Whether the stream is connected to Express Entry or a base provincial nomination.
- Occupation, TEER, wage, employer and licensing requirements.
- Language, education, work-experience and settlement-intent requirements.
- EOI score or invitation criteria, if the stream uses an EOI system.
- Current intake status and whether the province is targeting specific sectors or locations.