PNP
Ontario Immigration Nominee Program Issues 1404 Invitations in Two Employer Job Offer Draws
Ontario has continued its strong immigration activity in 2026 by conducting two significant invitation rounds under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). On February 18, 2026, the province issued new invitations through the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker (EJO FW) and Employer Job Offer: International Student (EJO IS) streams, targeting candidates working in skilled trades-related occupations.
In total, Ontario issued 1,404 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) during these draws, 951 invitations under the Foreign Worker stream and 453 invitations under the International Student stream. This brings the province’s total number of invitations issued under OINP in 2026 to 3,229 candidates, demonstrating Ontario’s continued focus on filling labour shortages through employer-driven immigration pathways.
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Breakdown of February 18 OINP Draws
The two targeted draws focused specifically on skilled trades occupations, highlighting Ontario’s demand for workers in construction, technical trades, and related industries.
Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream (EJO FW)
- Invitations issued: 951
- Profile creation period: July 2, 2025 – February 16, 2026
- Minimum score range: 50 and above
- Draw type: Targeted for skilled trades occupations
Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream (EJO IS)
- Invitations issued: 453
- Profile creation period: July 2, 2025 – February 16, 2026
- Minimum score range: 80 and above
- Draw type: Targeted for skilled trades occupations
These rounds reflect Ontario’s strategy of selecting candidates based on labour market needs rather than general draws.
Why Skilled Trades Are a Priority
Ontario continues to experience workforce shortages in sectors like construction, infrastructure, manufacturing, and skilled technical roles. Rapid economic growth, housing development demands, and infrastructure expansion have increased the need for qualified trades professionals.
By targeting candidates already linked to Ontario employers, the province can quickly integrate workers who are ready to contribute immediately to the economy.
Understanding the Employer Job Offer Streams
The Employer Job Offer streams are employer-driven immigration pathways under the OINP. These streams require candidates to have a valid full-time job offer from an Ontario employer.
Key features include:
- Designed for workers already connected to Ontario’s labour market
- Focus on long-term economic needs
- Employer involvement in the application process
- Faster integration into the workforce
Once candidates receive an ITA, their employer must submit approval for the employment position within 14 calendar days, and the candidate must submit their complete application within 17 calendar days.
OINP Invitation Trends in 2026
Ontario has remained highly active this year with multiple targeted draws, including:
- Healthcare occupations
- Physicians
- Early childhood educators
- Skilled trades
- Regional economic development pilots
This data confirms that Ontario is increasingly using targeted selections rather than broad invitations to address sector-specific labour demands.
What Candidates Should Do Next
Candidates interested in Ontario immigration should:
- Maintain an active Expression of Interest (EOI) profile
- Ensure job offers match correct NOC classifications
- Keep language test and employment documents updated
- Monitor targeted occupation trends
Since OINP draws are unpredictable and sector-focused, readiness is key. Ontario’s February 18 Employer Job Offer draws show the province’s strong commitment to supporting skilled trades through immigration. With 1,404 invitations issued in a single day and over 3,200 invitations granted so far in 2026, Ontario continues to position employer-driven immigration as a critical tool for economic growth. As labour shortages persist across essential sectors, candidates with valid job offers in high-demand occupations remain in a strong position to receive future invitations under the OINP.
