Ontario issues more than 1,400 invitations to foreign workers and international graduates

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) held a targeted draw on February 18, 2026, issuing invitations to apply (ITAs) to candidates in skilled trades-related occupations through the province’s Employer Job Offer streams.

To have been invited, candidates must have declared that they are currently residing in Canada with a valid work or study permit.

This is the province’s second nomination invitation round of 2026, following the program’s first set of draws held earlier this month.

Draw details

The OINP issued a total of 1,404 ITAs across two of its Employer: Job Offer streams, including

• The Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream; and

• The Employer Job Offer: International Student stream.

The minimum score required to have been invited, and the number of invitations issued, varied across the two streams:

Stream	Minimum score	Invitations issued	Notes
Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker	50	951	Targeted draw for skilled trades-related occupations
Employer Job Offer: International Student	80	453	Targeted draw for skilled trades-related occupations

Ontario considered profiles created between July 2, 2025, and February 16, 2026, and eligible profiles had to be created and attested to (supported by a job offer from an eligible employer) by February 16, 2026 (11:59 p.m.).

Which occupations (NOC codes) were targeted?

Eligible skilled trades-related occupations

Next steps

Employers of selected candidates must now review the employer guide and submit a complete application for approval of an employment position within 14 calendar days from the date of invitation.

Simultaneously, invited candidates must submit their OINP application within 17 calendar days of receiving the ITA.

After receiving a provincial nomination from Ontario, successful nominees can then apply to the federal government for permanent residence (PR).

Recent closure of the OINP Skilled Trades stream

The prioritization of skilled trades occupations in this draw comes against the backdrop of the recent closure of the OINP’s Express Entry: Skilled Trades Stream.

The pathway was suspended in November 2025, with the OINP citing systematic misrepresentation as the primary reason for its closure.

At the same time, Ontario also ceased accepting new applications under this stream and said it would return all pending applications and refund fees, without confirming whether or when the stream would reopen.

For candidates impacted by the Express Entry stream closure, the province has indicated they may still pursue nomination via other OINP streams (enhanced or base), and many may also consider Express Entry’s federal Trade category as an alternative pathway.