OINP invites over 750 people in early April 2026 draw

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) held a targeted draw on 1 April 2026, issuing 759 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates with job offers in construction and mining-related occupations across the province.

The draw invited candidates through the following Employer Job Offer streams: Foreign Worker (FW), International Student (IS) and In-Demand Skills (IDS). To be invited, candidates must declare that they are currently residing in Canada with a valid work or study permit.

This is the province’s fifth draw of 2026, following those held on 2 February, 18 February, 18 March, and 25 March. This draw also marks the first time the OINP has held a draw targeting occupations in the mining sector.

Draw details

Of the 759 invitations sent to candidates in mining and construction-related occupations, the majority were issued under the OINP Foreign Worker stream (49%). The minimum score, number of invitations, and number of eligible occupations vary by stream:

Eligible profiles must have been created and submitted – supported by a job offer from an eligible employer – between 2 July 2025 and 30 March 2026 (23:59).

Targeted occupations

The draw focused on occupations linked to Ontario’s mining and construction sectors, including mining engineers, geological engineers, electrical and electronics engineers, welders, heavy equipment mechanics, and industrial mechanics.

Most occupations overlap between the Foreign Worker and International Student streams, with some differences. The International Student stream includes industrial electricians and heavy equipment operators, while the Foreign Worker stream does not.

The In-Demand Skills stream targets only NOC code 94201 – electronic assemblers, fabricators, inspectors, and testers.

Next steps

The selected candidate’s employer must review the employer guide and submit a full application for position approval within 14 calendar days of receiving the invitation.

Invited candidates must then submit their OINP application within 17 calendar days of receiving the ITA.

After receiving a provincial nomination from Ontario, successful nominees can apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence (PR).

Why is the OINP targeting mining occupations?

Although the OINP has held targeted draws for construction occupations in the past, this is the first time Ontario has sought professionals in the mining sector for provincial nomination.

The OINP’s first mining-focused draw comes amid increasing federal investment in the mining sector in Northern Ontario. In March 2026, the Government of Canada announced an investment in mining research and development at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, aimed at expanding mineral exploration in the region.

The mining and minerals sector supports over 700,000 jobs across Canada and contributes over 150 billion CAD annually to the national GDP, according to the federal government.

Upcoming changes to the OINP

These draws come as Ontario prepares for a comprehensive overhaul of its immigration streams.

Legislative changes to the Ontario Immigration Act are expected to take effect on 30 May 2026, repealing all existing candidate categories eligible for nomination certificates – including the Foreign Worker, International Student, and In-Demand Skills categories used in this draw. The OINP has not confirmed when replacement streams will launch or whether existing candidates will be transitioned.