Ontario Reaches 2024 PNP Allocation Limit: What It Means for Applicants

As of December 23, 2024, Ontario’s Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has officially reached its allocation limit for 2024. With 21,500 provincial nominations issued across various streams, the OINP has wrapped up its operations for this year and will now begin accepting applications under the 2025 allocation.

The number of nominations Ontario will receive for 2025 has yet to be announced, but significant changes are expected due to new immigration policies.

Highlights of OINP’s 2024 Achievements

In 2024, the OINP issued over 22,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) across several streams. Here’s a breakdown of the ITAs issued:

• Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream – 6,695 ITAs
• Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream – 8,363 ITAs
• Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream – 914 ITAs
• Masters Graduate Stream – 5,519 ITAs
• PhD Graduate Stream – 533 ITAs
• Entrepreneur Stream – 0 ITAs

While ITAs are an essential step in the OINP process, it’s important to note the difference between an ITA and a provincial nomination.

Understanding ITAs vs. Provincial Nominations

An Invitation to Apply (ITA) is issued to candidates who meet the requirements for a specific stream. After receiving an ITA, candidates must submit a formal application to the OINP. If successful, they are granted a provincial nomination, allowing them to apply to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence (PR).

The process varies based on whether the stream is base or enhanced:

• Base Streams: Candidates submit a profile to the OINP (e.g., through an Expression of Interest (EOI) system). If selected, they receive an ITA, and upon approval, a provincial nomination.
• Enhanced Streams: Candidates with a valid Express Entry profile who receive a provincial nomination are awarded 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, making them highly likely to receive an ITA in the next federal Express Entry draw.

Enhanced nominations can happen in either direction:

1. A candidate in the OINP system creates an Express Entry profile after selection.
2. A candidate with an Express Entry profile is invited by the OINP.

What to Expect from the OINP in 2025

While exact details for Ontario’s 2025 provincial nomination allocation are not yet available, there are reasons to believe that the number of nominations will be lower than in 2024.

Why the Reduction?

Ontario's allocation for 2024 was part of a broader plan by IRCC to prioritize provincial economic immigration pathways, with a total of 110,000 admissions divided across all Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). However, in the 2024-2026 Immigration Levels Plan, admissions targets for 2025 have been halved to 55,000, impacting all provinces, including Ontario.

Key Changes for 2025:

• A reduction in OINP allocations is likely due to the overall decrease in provincial admission targets.
• The recent closure of the Entrepreneur Stream with no announced replacement further suggests a shift in priorities within the program.

Planning Your Immigration Journey

As one of Canada’s most sought-after PNPs, the OINP remains a top choice for individuals looking to immigrate to Ontario. However, with reduced nomination targets and ongoing program adjustments, candidates are encouraged to stay informed and plan their applications carefully.