Ontario continues to lean on targeted immigration to address labour shortages, issuing 1,404 Invitations to Apply on 18 February 2026 through two Employer Job Offer streams—Foreign Worker and International Student—focused on skilled-trades occupations.(cicnews.com)
Invited candidates were required to be residing in Canada with valid status and to have experience in one of several trades ranging from carpentry to industrial mechanics. Minimum EOI scores varied by stream, but were aligned with industry demand data supplied by the province’s Ministry of Labour.
![Ontario issues 1,404 invitations in skilled-trades OINP draw]()
For applicants gathering the necessary documentation or looking to extend their stay while waiting for nomination, VisaHQ offers convenient online services that streamline visa, permit, and status-renewal applications. Their dedicated Canada page (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) provides step-by-step guidance and support, helping skilled workers stay compliant and ready for opportunities like the OINP draws.
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has increasingly used occupation-specific draws since 2024, mirroring the federal government’s category-based Express Entry strategy. Provincial officials say the targeted approach helps employers fill vacancies faster than the general Human Capital stream, which remains paused due to inventory backlogs.
Applicants have 14 calendar days to submit complete provincial applications; once nominated, they receive an additional 600 CRS points virtually guaranteeing selection in a subsequent federal Express Entry draw. Employers are advised to issue employer-form letters swiftly to avoid forfeiting hard-to-secure invitations.
Invited candidates were required to be residing in Canada with valid status and to have experience in one of several trades ranging from carpentry to industrial mechanics. Minimum EOI scores varied by stream, but were aligned with industry demand data supplied by the province’s Ministry of Labour.
For applicants gathering the necessary documentation or looking to extend their stay while waiting for nomination, VisaHQ offers convenient online services that streamline visa, permit, and status-renewal applications. Their dedicated Canada page (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) provides step-by-step guidance and support, helping skilled workers stay compliant and ready for opportunities like the OINP draws.
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has increasingly used occupation-specific draws since 2024, mirroring the federal government’s category-based Express Entry strategy. Provincial officials say the targeted approach helps employers fill vacancies faster than the general Human Capital stream, which remains paused due to inventory backlogs.
Applicants have 14 calendar days to submit complete provincial applications; once nominated, they receive an additional 600 CRS points virtually guaranteeing selection in a subsequent federal Express Entry draw. Employers are advised to issue employer-form letters swiftly to avoid forfeiting hard-to-secure invitations.
