The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program OINP has officially received its 2026 nomination allocation from the federal government, marking a strong recovery from last year’s reductions.
Ontario has been allocated 14,119 nominations for 2026, representing a 31 percent increase compared to the 10,750 spots the province received in 2025.
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However, the significance of this year’s allocation goes beyond the higher number.
Through its first draws of 2026 and proposed program reforms, Ontario has clearly signaled which occupations and worker profiles it intends to prioritize throughout the year.
For temporary residents, international students, and immigration professionals advising clients, understanding Ontario’s 2026 strategy is essential to improving selection prospects.
Why the 2026 Allocation Is Important
Ontario’s 14,119 nominations represent a partial recovery from the sharp 50 percent reduction the province experienced in 2025.
To provide context:
In 2024, Ontario had 21,500 nomination spaces.
In 2025, that number was reduced to 10,750.
The 2026 allocation restores approximately 67 percent of Ontario’s 2024 capacity.
Further increases may occur later in the year.
This expansion aligns with Canada’s updated Immigration Levels Plan, which set a national target of 91,500 Provincial Nominee Program admissions in 2026. This is a 66 percent increase from the previous target of 55,000.
As Canada’s most populous province, Ontario received a proportionally larger share of this expansion.
However, a higher allocation does not necessarily mean easier access for all candidates. Ontario has made it clear that it will use these nominations strategically, focusing on sectors facing labour shortages rather than conducting broad general draws.
Shift Away from Express Entry Streams
Ontario’s direction became clear in 2025:
No invitations were issued under the Express Entry streams such as Human Capital Priorities and French Speaking Skilled Worker.
The Express Entry Skilled Trades stream was suspended in November 2025 due to compliance concerns.
These developments strongly suggest that employer driven streams will dominate OINP selections in 2026.
Who Is Most Likely to Benefit in 2026
Based on early 2026 draws and policy signals, several worker categories appear well positioned.
Healthcare Professionals
Healthcare workers received the majority of invitations in early 2026, confirming that staffing shortages in Ontario’s healthcare system remain the province’s top priority.
Ontario is recruiting across the healthcare spectrum, from physicians to support staff, to address workforce gaps in hospitals, clinics, long term care homes, and community health facilities.
Recent changes reinforce this commitment.
As of January 2026, self employed physicians with a provisional CPSO registration and an OHIP billing number can now apply under the Employer Job Offer Foreign Worker stream.
Ontario has also proposed a new Priority Healthcare Stream, which would allow regulated healthcare professionals to receive nominations without requiring a job offer. This stream has not launched yet.
Healthcare occupations invited in early 2026 include:
Physicians and Specialists
NOC 31100 Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
NOC 31101 Specialists in surgery
NOC 31102 General practitioners and family physicians
Nursing Professionals
NOC 31300 Nursing coordinators and supervisors
NOC 31301 Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
NOC 31302 Nurse practitioners
NOC 32101 Licensed practical nurses
Allied Health and Support
NOC 31303 Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals
NOC 33102 Nurse aides and patient service associates
NOC 33103 Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
NOC 12111 Health information management occupations
Early Childhood Educators
Early childhood educators NOC 42202 were invited in multiple early 2026 draws, including healthcare focused and REDI pilot draws.
This reflects Ontario’s urgent need for childcare workers.
In July 2025, Ontario reduced education requirements for this occupation in the French Speaking Skilled Worker stream by removing the requirement for a Canadian bachelor’s degree. This change expanded eligibility for internationally trained educators.
Temporary residents working in licensed childcare centres or early learning programs may see strong selection prospects throughout 2026.
TEER 4 and 5 Essential Workers
One of the most significant opportunities lies within the Employer Job Offer In Demand Skills stream, which targets TEER 4 and 5 occupations.
These intermediate skilled roles are generally not eligible under federal Express Entry programs, making OINP one of the few viable permanent residence pathways for these workers.
Early 2026 draws showed minimum scores as low as 34 in this stream, the lowest across OINP categories.
Ontario’s proposed restructuring would consolidate employer streams and create a dedicated TEER 4 and 5 track. It may also expand eligibility for additional essential occupations and introduce a possible construction pathway for union supported workers without requiring a permanent full time job offer.
TEER 4 and 5 occupations invited include:
Available province wide
NOC 44101 Home support workers and caregivers
NOC 65202 Meat cutters and fishmongers
NOC 75110 Construction trades helpers and labourers
Available outside the Greater Toronto Area
NOC 75101 Material handlers
NOC 84120 Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators
NOC 94100 Machine operators mineral and metal processing
NOC 94111 Plastics processing machine operators
NOC 94140 Process control and machine operators food and beverage processing
NOC 94202 Assemblers and inspectors electrical appliance manufacturing
NOC 94203 Assemblers fabricators and inspectors industrial electrical motors
NOC 94204 Mechanical assemblers and inspectors
For workers who do not qualify under Express Entry, this stream may represent the most realistic pathway to permanent residence.
Tech Workers in Regional Areas
While healthcare remains the primary focus, tech professionals working outside the Greater Toronto Area may benefit from the REDI pilot program.
REDI draws in early 2026 featured lower score thresholds compared to province wide draws.
Communities in Eastern, Northern, and Southwestern Ontario offer reduced competition compared to Toronto.
Tech occupations invited under REDI include:
NOC 21222 Information systems specialists
NOC 21231 Software engineers and designers
NOC 22310 Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
NOC 52120 Graphic designers and illustrators
Business and Social Service Occupations
Ontario’s REDI pilot also targeted key support roles in regional communities, including:
NOC 12200 Accounting technicians and bookkeepers
NOC 13111 Legal administrative assistants
NOC 22232 Occupational health and safety specialists
NOC 42201 Social and community service workers
Candidates in these fields may benefit from lower score thresholds in regional draws.
Structural Changes Expected in 2026
Ontario has proposed major program reforms that may roll out in two phases.
Phase 1 involves consolidating the three Employer Job Offer streams into a single unified stream with two tracks.
TEER 0 to 3 track for skilled workers.
TEER 4 to 5 track for essential workers.
This consolidation aims to simplify applications while maintaining targeted occupation based draws.
Phase 2 may introduce new strategic streams later in 2026.
Priority Healthcare Stream without requiring a job offer.
Exceptional Talent Stream targeting globally recognized leaders.
Redesigned Entrepreneur Stream for business owners.
Existing Express Entry aligned streams may be eliminated or significantly restructured. Eligible candidates may wish to apply before these changes occur.
What Candidates Should Do Now
To improve success in 2026:
Register an Expression of Interest.
Ensure your employer submits the job offer through Ontario’s Employer Portal.
Secure a job offer in a priority occupation.
Consider employment outside the Greater Toronto Area.
Explore TEER 4 and 5 pathways if Express Entry is not an option.
Apply under current streams if eligible before potential restructuring.
Monitor official OINP updates closely.
Final Takeaway
Ontario’s 14,119 nominations for 2026 represent a meaningful recovery from last year’s cuts. However, the province is using these nominations strategically.
Priority will go to healthcare professionals, early childhood educators, TEER 4 and 5 essential workers, and candidates in regional communities.
For individuals who have limited options under federal Express Entry due to occupation classification, education, or language scores, Ontario’s employer driven pathways may offer the most viable route to permanent residence.
As Ontario implements its proposed restructuring throughout 2026, candidates who understand the province’s priorities and position themselves accordingly will be best placed to succeed.
