Ontario’s Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) conducted a targeted draw on 1 April 2026—publicly reported on 4 April—that invited 759 candidates with job offers in mining and construction occupations under its Employer Job Offer streams. Minimum Expression-of-Interest scores ranged from 34 (In-Demand Skills) to 85 (International Student). This is the province’s first PNP round aimed at mining-sector talent, reflecting federal and provincial investments in northern Ontario’s critical-minerals supply chain. Eligible National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes included mining engineers, geological engineers, welders and heavy-duty mechanics—roles that many mining companies have struggled to fill domestically. For employers, the draw provides an expedited route to nominate foreign workers already in Canada on temporary permits, reducing retention risk in a competitive labour market. Invited candidates have 14 days for employer position approval and 17 days to file the nomination application—tight timelines that require HR teams to act quickly.
![Ontario Issues 759 Invitations in First Mining-Focused Provincial Nominee Draw]()
For organizations that could use extra hands navigating these accelerated deadlines, VisaHQ offers end-to-end application support, from document procurement to courier logistics. Its Canadian portal (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) lets HR teams and foreign workers track requirements in real time, ensuring forms, medicals and police certificates are submitted correctly the first time.
Successful nominees will receive 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System points if they later enter Express Entry, virtually guaranteeing an invitation for permanent residence. Mobility managers should counsel employees on medicals and police certificates in advance to avoid last-minute delays. The province has confirmed that further occupation-specific draws are planned later this quarter, signalling that targeted selection will remain central to Ontario’s 2026 immigration strategy.
For organizations that could use extra hands navigating these accelerated deadlines, VisaHQ offers end-to-end application support, from document procurement to courier logistics. Its Canadian portal (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) lets HR teams and foreign workers track requirements in real time, ensuring forms, medicals and police certificates are submitted correctly the first time.
Successful nominees will receive 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System points if they later enter Express Entry, virtually guaranteeing an invitation for permanent residence. Mobility managers should counsel employees on medicals and police certificates in advance to avoid last-minute delays. The province has confirmed that further occupation-specific draws are planned later this quarter, signalling that targeted selection will remain central to Ontario’s 2026 immigration strategy.
