Ontario has officially started its immigration selections for 2026. On February 2, 2026, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) conducted six targeted draws, issuing a total of 1,825 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for provincial nomination.

These draws were issued through Ontario’s Employer Job Offer streams, focusing on:

• Physicians
• REDI Pilot (Regional Economic Development through Immigration)
• Healthcare occupations
• Early childhood educators and assistants

This update is important for candidates with valid job offers in Ontario—especially those working in priority sectors.

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Highlights of Ontario OINP Draws – February 2026

Ontario invited candidates through three Employer Job Offer streams:

✅ Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker
✅ Employer Job Offer: International Student
✅ Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills

All selected profiles were required to be created between July 2, 2025 and January 28, 2026.

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OINP Draw Details (Total: 1,825 Invitations)

Below are the stream-wise invitations and minimum scores announced by Ontario:

✅ Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream

• Score 33 – 129 ITAs (Targeted Physicians)
• Score 44 – 14 ITAs (Targeted REDI)
• Score 36 – 634 ITAs (Health occupations + Early childhood educators)

✅ Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream

• Score 69 – 26 ITAs (Targeted REDI)
• Score 56 – 1,015 ITAs (Health occupations + Early childhood educators)

✅ Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream

• Score 34 – 7 ITAs (Targeted REDI)

➡️ Total ITAs Issued: 1,825

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Occupations Targeted: Physician Draw (Foreign Worker Stream)

Ontario issued a dedicated draw for physicians under the Foreign Worker stream. The targeted NOC codes include:

• NOC 31100 – Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
• NOC 31101 – Specialists in surgery
• NOC 31102 – General practitioners and family physicians

This is a major benefit for healthcare professionals seeking PR through Ontario.

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REDI Pilot Draw: What Occupations Were Eligible?

The REDI pilot targets employers and job offers in selected rural/northern Ontario regions. Under the Foreign Worker stream, eligible NOCs included:

• NOC 12200 – Accounting technicians and bookkeepers
• NOC 21222 – Information systems specialists
• NOC 21231 – Software engineers and designers
• NOC 31301 – Registered nurses and psychiatric nurses
• NOC 33102 – Nurse aides, orderlies & patient service associates
• NOC 42202 – Early childhood educators and assistants

For International Student stream under REDI, Ontario invited occupations such as:

• NOC 12111 – Health information management occupations
• NOC 13111 – Legal administrative assistants
• NOC 32101 – Licensed practical nurses
• NOC 52120 – Graphic designers and illustrators
  (plus many more listed in the official update)

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Healthcare & Early Childhood Educators: High Demand in Ontario

One of the biggest draws issued in 2026 targeted candidates in healthcare and childcare roles. Targeted NOCs included:

• NOC 31300 – Nursing coordinators and supervisors
• NOC 31301 – Registered nurses
• NOC 31302 – Nurse practitioners
• NOC 31303 – Physician assistants, midwives, allied professionals
• NOC 32101 – Licensed practical nurses
• NOC 33102 – Nurse aides and patient service associates
• NOC 42202 – Early childhood educators and assistants

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What is the REDI Pilot in Ontario Immigration?

The Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) Pilot is designed to help Ontario employers in smaller or rural regions attract skilled workers when local hiring is not enough.

REDI is not a separate immigration stream—it operates under Ontario’s existing Employer Job Offer programs.

Eligible candidates must:

• Meet Employer Job Offer stream requirements
• Have a full-time job offer in a REDI region such as:
  • Lanark County
  • Leeds and Grenville
  • Sarnia-Lambton
  • Thunder Bay

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What Should Invited Candidates Do Next?

If you received an OINP Invitation to Apply:

✅ You must submit a complete application within 60 days
✅ If approved, you will receive provincial nomination
✅ Then you can apply to IRCC for Permanent Residence (PR)

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Why This OINP Draw is Important for 2026 Applicants

Ontario has clearly shown priority for:

• Healthcare workers
• Early childhood educators
• REDI regional job holders
• Physicians

This suggests Ontario is continuing to strengthen immigration pathways that:
✅ fill labour shortages
✅ support rural growth
✅ improve healthcare capacity

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FAQs – Ontario OINP Draw Feb 2026

Q1. How many invitations did Ontario issue in February 2026 OINP draw?

Ontario issued 1,825 invitations across six draws on February 2, 2026.

Q2. Which OINP streams were included?

Ontario invited candidates through:

• Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker
• Employer Job Offer: International Student
• Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills

Q3. What is the minimum score in this draw?

Minimum scores ranged from 33 to 69, depending on stream and targeted draw.

Q4. What is the REDI pilot?

REDI is a regional initiative under OINP to help smaller/rural Ontario areas attract skilled workers through targeted draws.

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✅ Conclusion

Ontario has launched 2026 immigration selections strongly with 1,825 ITAs, heavily focusing on healthcare, childcare, and regional development. If you’re working in one of the targeted occupations and have an eligible job offer, Ontario’s Employer Job Offer streams may provide a strong pathway to permanent residence.