Ontario’s Provincial Nominee Program (OINP) has seen a drastic slowdown in 2025, issuing only four invitations to apply (ITAs) so far—an enormous drop from the 14,760 ITAs issued during the first two months of 2024. This sharp decline aligns with broader shifts in Canada’s immigration policies, particularly the federal government’s decision to halve provincial immigration allocations.
Despite this slowdown, several OINP pathways remain open. Here’s a detailed look at the current status of Ontario’s immigration streams and what aspiring immigrants need to know.
Which Ontario PNP Streams Are Currently Active?
As of now, only one OINP stream has issued ITAs in 2025:
- Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream – A targeted draw on January 4, 2025, issued four invitations exclusively to candidates under the Economic Mobility Pathways Project (EMPP), which supports skilled refugees and displaced individuals in securing employment in Canada.
While other streams have yet to conduct draws this year, the OINP continues to accept new Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for multiple pathways:
Streams Accepting EOIs in 2025
- Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream
- Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream
- Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream
- Master’s Graduate Stream
- PhD Graduate Stream
Additionally, Ontario operates Express Entry-aligned streams that remain open. Instead of accepting direct applications, these streams automatically assess eligible candidates within the federal Express Entry pool and issue Notifications of Interest (NOIs) to those who qualify.
Express Entry-Aligned Ontario PNP Streams:
- Human Capital Priorities Stream
- Skilled Trades Stream
- French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream
Candidates who receive an NOI from Ontario through Express Entry can submit a provincial nomination application. If successful, they receive 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, significantly boosting their chances of receiving an invitation for Canadian permanent residence.
Overview of Ontario PNP Eligibility Criteria
Each OINP stream has distinct eligibility requirements. Below is a structured overview of key criteria for different pathways:
| Stream | Job Offer Required? | Express Entry-Aligned? | Main Eligibility Requirements |
| Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker | Yes | No | Full-time, permanent job in a skilled occupation with median wage or higher; work experience and licensing (if required). |
| Employer Job Offer: International Student | Yes | No | Full-time, permanent skilled job with required wage; graduate of an eligible Ontario institution within the last two years. |
| Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills | Yes | No | Full-time, permanent job in an eligible occupation and location; 9 months of work experience required. |
| Master’s Graduate | No | No | Master’s degree from an eligible Ontario institution; CLB 7 language proficiency; residency in Ontario for one year in the past two years; settlement funds required. |
| PhD Graduate | No | No | PhD from an eligible Ontario institution; CLB 7 language proficiency; Ontario residency for one year in the past two years; settlement funds required. |
| Express Entry: Human Capital Priorities | No | Yes | Active Express Entry profile; eligibility under Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP); Master’s or PhD; CLB 7 language proficiency; settlement funds. |
| Express Entry: Skilled Trades | No | Yes | One year of work experience in an Ontario trade in the past two years; required licensing (if applicable); CLB 5 language proficiency; legal work status in Ontario. |
| Express Entry: French-Speaking Skilled Worker | No | Yes | Active Express Entry profile; eligibility under CEC or FSWP; French proficiency at NCLC 7 or higher; English at CLB 6 or higher; settlement funds required. |
Why Has Ontario’s Immigration Draw Activity Slowed Down?
The slowdown in Ontario’s PNP activity stems from a broader federal decision to halve provincial immigration allocations in 2025. The Immigration Levels Plan reduced overall PNP allocations from 110,000 in 2024 to just 55,000 in 2025 as part of Canada’s strategy to manage housing and affordability challenges.
This shift has led to significant disruptions across multiple provinces:
- New Brunswick introduced new eligibility restrictions to manage reduced immigration quotas.
- Yukon delayed its first intake of applications for 2025.
- Newfoundland and Labrador secured back 90% of its lost PNP allocations by agreeing to accept 290 humanitarian immigrants over two years.
Ontario, like other provinces, is adjusting to these changes. The OINP has confirmed that all streams remain intact, but there is currently no set date for the resumption of draws in 2025.
What’s Next for Ontario’s PNP?
While Ontario’s nomination activity has slowed, prospective applicants still have viable options. Candidates should:
- Submit Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for open streams.
- Maintain active Express Entry profiles for passive consideration in OINP-aligned draws.
- Monitor policy updates from IRCC and the Ontario government.
The OINP is expected to announce its final 2025 nomination allocation once the province completes discussions with the federal government.
As immigration policies evolve, staying updated with official IRCC announcements is crucial. The Canada Time keeps you informed with the latest Canadian immigration updates.
