On September 17, 2024, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) held two significant draws that invited a total of 1,443 candidates to apply for permanent residency (PR). These draws, targeting individuals in the Master’s Graduate Stream and PhD Graduate Stream, marked important milestones in Ontario’s immigration efforts for the year.
Masters Graduate Stream OINP Draw: 1,249 Invitations
In the general draw for the Masters Graduate Stream, OINP issued 1,249 invitations to candidates with an Expression of Interest (EOI) score of 53 or higher. This score saw a slight drop compared to the previous Masters Graduate Stream draw held on July 9, 2024, where the cutoff was 54. The one-point difference suggests that competition remains strong, though slightly more candidates were able to meet the requirements in this round.
International students who have earned a master’s degree in Ontario are drawn to the Masters Graduate Stream. The fact that so many invites were put out for this most recent draw shows how committed the province is to keeping talented graduates on staff so they can support the community’s workforce and economy.
PhD Graduate Stream Draw: 110 Invitations
In the second OINP draw held on the same day, 110 invitations were sent to candidates under the PhD Graduate Stream. For this stream, the EOI score cutoff was set at 45 or above, representing a drop of 5 points compared to the previous PhD Graduate Stream draw on July 9, 2024, which had a cutoff score of 50.
The significant drop in the minimum score required for the PhD Graduate Stream suggests that Ontario is making a concerted effort to draw highly qualified candidates who can advance academic research and foster innovation in the region. Recent PhD graduates from Ontario universities can apply for permanent residency through the PhD Graduate Stream, which is still a specialised but crucial component of Ontario’s nomination program.
OINP’s 2024 Draw Summary: A Year of Record Invitations
As of this latest draw, OINP Draw has issued a total of 20,296 invitations for permanent residency through its Expression of Interest (EOI) system in 2024. This impressive number highlights Ontario’s commitment to welcoming skilled immigrants who can support the province’s labor market and contribute to its economic growth.
Breakdown of 2024 OINP Draw Invitations by Stream:
| OINP Streams | 2024 Invitations | 2023 Invitations |
| Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream | 4,967 | 4,032 |
| Employer Job Offer: International Student stream | 8,363 | 2,963 |
| Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills stream | 914 | 807 |
| Masters Graduate stream | 5,519 | 5,734 |
| PhD Graduate stream | 533 | 486 |
As evident from the table, there has been a substantial increase in the number of invitations in several streams compared to 2023. Notably, the Employer Job Offer: International Student stream witnessed a significant jump in invitations from 2,963 in 2023 to 8,363 in 2024, signalling the province’s focus on retaining international graduates.
Similarly, the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream has seen an uptick in invitations, with 4,967 issued in 2024 compared to 4,032 in 2023. The In-Demand Skills stream, which focuses on specific industries experiencing labour shortages, also saw an increase in invitations, rising from 807 in 2023 to 914 in 2024.
While the Masters Graduate stream invitations slightly declined compared to last year (5,519 in 2024 versus 5,734 in 2023), the PhD Graduate stream has grown, with 533 invitations issued in 2024 compared to 486 in 2023.
Ontario’s Commitment to Skilled Immigration
Ontario’s immigration program remains a cornerstone of Canada’s border immigration strategy, and the latest OINP draws are a testament to the province’s dedication to attracting talent in various sectors. The slight decreases in EOI scores for both the Masters and PhD Graduate streams reflect Ontario’s aim to expand its pool of highly educated and skilled individuals.
As 2024 progresses, it’s clear that Ontario is well on its way to exceeding its immigration targets, and the province continues to offer attractive pathways for international students, skilled workers, and in-demand professionals to make Ontario their permanent home.
This latest draw is yet another example of Ontario’s proactive approach to addressing labour market needs and fostering a dynamic, diverse economy through immigration.
The OINP draws conducted on September 17, 2024, signal Ontario’s ongoing efforts to attract and retain top talent. With over 1,443 invitations sent to candidates in the Masters and PhD Graduate streams, along with a year-to-date total of over 20,000 invitations, the OINP Draw remains a key gateway for skilled immigrants looking to establish themselves in Ontario. The EOI score drops in both streams indicate the province’s responsiveness to labour market demands and the importance of facilitating immigration for international graduates.
