According to an announcement published on the Ontario provincial government’s website on February 6, 2026, Ontario has received a significant increase in its provincial nomination allocation from the federal government.
In 2025, Ontario was allocated 10,750 nominations under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), all of which were fully utilized by mid-December 2025. For 2026, the federal government has increased Ontario’s allocation to 14,119 nominations, representing an increase of approximately 31.4% compared to the previous year.
This substantial increase demonstrates the federal government’s continued prioritization of Ontario within Canada’s overall immigration strategy and creates expanded opportunities for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) applicants in 2026.
To improve their chances of receiving an OINP invitation, applicants are strongly advised to prepare early by meeting the core eligibility requirements of their targeted streams. This includes securing a valid job offer from an Ontario employer for Job Offer streams; registering and actively maintaining an Expression of Interest (EOI) profile for streams that operate under the EOI system; or completing and optimizing an Express Entry profile for Express Entry–aligned streams such as the Human Capital Priorities Stream, the French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream, or the Skilled Trades Stream.
Applicants should also carefully review the specific requirements of each stream, including education credentials, work experience, language proficiency, and minimum wage thresholds under Ontario’s NOC classifications, as eligibility criteria vary across streams.
Comprehensive document preparation, close monitoring of draw rounds, and staying informed of procedural updates will allow applicants to respond promptly when nomination opportunities arise.
Updated by THAT HOA TON, RCIC-IRB (R800106) – February 6, 2026