Immigration News

Ontario PNP 2025- Current Open Streams and What You Need to Know

Rajneesh Kumar
25 February, 2025

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has experienced a delay in issuing invitations for permanent residency in early 2025, reflecting a nationwide trend as Canadian provinces adjust to federal cuts to immigration allocations. The reduction in invitations compared to the previous year has left many aspiring immigrants seeking clarity on available pathways.

The OINP has only held a single draw in 2025. This delay mirrors the adjustments being made across Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), driven by federal efforts to manage immigration levels in the face of housing and affordability pressures.

Active Streams and Expression of Interest (EOI) Acceptance

Despite the slowdown, key OINP streams remain active. As of now, the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream has conducted a targeted draw, issuing four invitations to candidates within the Economic Mobility Pathways Project (EMPP), a program designed for skilled refugees and displaced individuals.

Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream

Date issued	Number of invitations issued	Date profiles created	Score range	Notes
January 15, 2025	4	January 15 2024 – January 15, 2025	N/A	Targeted draw for Economic Mobility Pathways Project candidates

A representative from the OINP confirmed that several streams continue to accept new Expressions of Interest (EOIs), including:

Employer Job Offer: International Student stream
Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills stream
Master's Graduate stream
PhD Graduate stream

Express Entry-aligned streams remain open

Ontario's Express Entry-aligned streams also remain open. The OINP proactively searches the Express Entry system for eligible candidates, issuing Notifications of Interest (NOIs) to those who qualify. This "passive consideration" model allows candidates to be considered simply by maintaining an active and up-to-date Express Entry profile. A provincial nomination through this pathway adds 600 points to a candidate's Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, significantly boosting their chances of receiving a federal Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.

The OINP has reiterated its commitment to maintaining all current immigration streams, although the timing of future draws remains uncertain.

Overview of eligibility criteria for OINP streams

Stream	Job offer required?	Express Entry-aligned?	Summary of main requirements
Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream	Yes	No	Job offer requirements: - Full-time; - Permanent; - Skilled occupation; - Pays ? the occupation’s median wage in Ontario; and - Urgency necessary to the employer’s business. Candidate requirements: - Work experience; and - Licensing (if required).
Employer Job Offer: International Student stream	Yes	No	Job offer requirements: - Full-time; - Permanent; - Skilled occupation; - Pays ? the occupation’s median wage in Ontario; and - Urgency necessary to the employer’s business Candidate requirements: - Graduate of an eligible Ontario school; and - Must apply within two years of graduation.
Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills stream	Yes	No	Job offer requirements: - Full-time; - Permanent; - Eligible occupation; - In eligible location; - Pays ? the occupation’s median wage in Ontario; and - Urgency necessary to the employer’s business. Candidate requirements: - 9 months work experience.
Master's Graduate stream	No	No	- Master’s degree from an eligible Ontario school. - Language proficiency ? CLB 7. - Has lived in Ontario for at least one of the previous two years. - Must apply within two years of graduation. - Settlement funds.
PhD Graduate stream	No	No	- PhD from an eligible Ontario school. - Language proficiency ? CLB 7. - Has lived in Ontario for at least one of the previous two years. - Must apply within two years of graduation. - Settlement funds.
Express Entry Human Capital Priorities stream	No	Yes	- Express Entry profile. - Qualify for CEC or FSWP. - Master’s or PhD. - Language proficiency ? CLB 7. - Settlement funds.
Express Entry Skilled Trades stream	No	Yes	- Express Entry profile. - One year of Ontario work experience in your skilled trade in the past two years. - License or certificate (if applicable). - Living in Ontario with legal work authorization. - Language proficiency ? CLB 5. - Settlement funds.
Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker	No	Yes	- Express Entry profile. - Qualify for CEC or FSWP. - Have a university degree, or be a nurse. - French proficiency ? NCLC 7. - English proficiency ? CLB 6. - Settlement funds.

Federal Allocation Cuts and Provincial Adjustments

The root cause of the slowdown lies in the federal government's decision to halve provincial immigration allocations. In October 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced a reduction in PNP allocations.

This change has forced provinces to adjust their immigration programs accordingly. New Brunswick, for example, has introduced stricter eligibility criteria, while the Yukon Nominee Program (YNP) has delayed its first intake of applications.

To mitigate the impact of these cuts, IRCC has offered provinces a pathway to regain lost allocations by accepting more humanitarian immigrants. Newfoundland and Labrador recently regained a significant portion of its allocation by agreeing to accept additional humanitarian cases.

The OINP, along with other provincial programs, is currently working to finalize its 2025 nomination allocation. Prospective immigrants are advised to stay informed about program updates and ensure they meet the eligibility criteria for their chosen stream.

To know more and apply for immigration to Canada through relevant Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) in 2025, you may get in touch with our trusted and registered Canada migration expert on Toll-Free No. 78-18-000-777 or you can drop us an e-mail at info@visasavenue.com.