Ontario has wasted no time kick-starting its 2026 immigration intake. On 2 February the province’s immigration ministry conducted six separate draws under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), inviting a total of 1,825 candidates in the Employer Job Offer streams.
Three quarters of the invitations (1,278) went to health-care professionals and early-childhood educators—occupations that remain chronically understaffed in Ontario’s hospitals, long-term-care homes and childcare centres. Physicians required a minimum Expression-of-Interest (EOI) score of 33, while nurses, personal-support workers and ECEs needed at least 36 (Foreign Worker stream) or 56 (International Student stream).
Another 47 invitations were issued via the province’s Regional Economic Development Initiative (REDI) pilot, which targets employers in smaller and northern communities such as Thunder Bay, Sarnia–Lambton and Lanark County. REDI candidates benefit from lower score cut-offs and priority processing, making this the fastest pathway to permanent residence for employers located outside the Greater Toronto Area.
![Ontario opens 2026 immigration cycle with 1,825 Employer Job Offer invitations]()
Whether you’re an HR lead recruiting nurses for a hospital or an engineer eyeing a role in Thunder Bay, VisaHQ can help untangle the paperwork. The firm’s online platform assembles customized document checklists, submits visa and work-permit applications on your behalf, and tracks every status update in real time—saving both employers and candidates weeks of guesswork. Explore the Canada-specific service offerings at https://www.visahq.com/canada/ to keep your immigration timeline on track.
HR managers should take note that the entire Employer Job Offer inventory was created between 2 July 2025 and 28 January 2026, underscoring the importance of early profile creation. Invited applicants now have 60 days to submit a complete OINP application; once nominated they can add 600 points to their Express Entry profile—virtually guaranteeing a federal Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
For corporate mobility teams, the takeaway is clear: Ontario is deliberately channelling scarce nomination certificates toward sectors facing acute labour shortages and toward regions struggling to attract newcomers. Employers in health care, education and REDI communities should move quickly while quota remains available; others may need to explore alternative provinces or federal streams as Ontario’s EJO allocations will be fiercely competitive this year.
Three quarters of the invitations (1,278) went to health-care professionals and early-childhood educators—occupations that remain chronically understaffed in Ontario’s hospitals, long-term-care homes and childcare centres. Physicians required a minimum Expression-of-Interest (EOI) score of 33, while nurses, personal-support workers and ECEs needed at least 36 (Foreign Worker stream) or 56 (International Student stream).
Another 47 invitations were issued via the province’s Regional Economic Development Initiative (REDI) pilot, which targets employers in smaller and northern communities such as Thunder Bay, Sarnia–Lambton and Lanark County. REDI candidates benefit from lower score cut-offs and priority processing, making this the fastest pathway to permanent residence for employers located outside the Greater Toronto Area.
Whether you’re an HR lead recruiting nurses for a hospital or an engineer eyeing a role in Thunder Bay, VisaHQ can help untangle the paperwork. The firm’s online platform assembles customized document checklists, submits visa and work-permit applications on your behalf, and tracks every status update in real time—saving both employers and candidates weeks of guesswork. Explore the Canada-specific service offerings at https://www.visahq.com/canada/ to keep your immigration timeline on track.
HR managers should take note that the entire Employer Job Offer inventory was created between 2 July 2025 and 28 January 2026, underscoring the importance of early profile creation. Invited applicants now have 60 days to submit a complete OINP application; once nominated they can add 600 points to their Express Entry profile—virtually guaranteeing a federal Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
For corporate mobility teams, the takeaway is clear: Ontario is deliberately channelling scarce nomination certificates toward sectors facing acute labour shortages and toward regions struggling to attract newcomers. Employers in health care, education and REDI communities should move quickly while quota remains available; others may need to explore alternative provinces or federal streams as Ontario’s EJO allocations will be fiercely competitive this year.
