OINP Draws Heat Up: September 2025 Sees Thousands Invited Across Priority Occupations

For months, OINP activity had been quiet, but these latest draws show a renewed focus on Employer Job Offer streams. Ontario targeted candidates in health care, early childhood education, Northern Ontario, and other priority sectors — opening the door for thousands of newcomers to advance toward permanent residence. 

September 3, 2025 — Employer Job Offer: Other Priority Occupations 

On September 3, 2025, Ontario issued 1,893 invitations under the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker (1,134 invitations) and International Student (759 invitations) streams. Candidates needed the following minimum Expression of Interest (EOI) scores: 

• Foreign Worker stream: 42+ 

• International Student stream: 63+.  

Eligible candidates had to be living in Canada and hold a job offer in one of more than 90 targeted occupations, including: 

• Management roles: HR managers (NOC 10011), purchasing managers (NOC 10012), engineering managers (NOC 20010), construction managers (NOC 70010), and more. 

• Health professions: Pharmacists (NOC 31120), psychologists (NOC 31200), physiotherapists (NOC 31202), dental technologists and technicians (NOC 32112), massage therapists (NOC 32201). 

• Technical and trades roles: Computer engineers (NOC 21311), tilesetters (NOC 73101), painters and decorators (NOC 73112), general maintenance workers (NOC 73201), supervisors in mechanic trades (NOC 72020). 

• Other fields: Human resources professionals (NOC 11200), journalists (NOC 51113), opticians (NOC 32100), postal service managers (NOC 70021), agriculture managers (NOC 80020). 

This round was one of the broadest of the year, spanning administration, health care, skilled trades, and creative industries. See the full list here.  

September 2, 2025 — Employer Job Offer: Health Care & Early Childhood Educators 

On September 2, 2025, Ontario issued 2,643 invitations under the Employer Job Offer streams. Specifically, 1,305 invitations were issued through the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream, 1,105 through the International Student stream and 233 through the In-Demand Skills stream.  

Candidates had to be living in Canada and working in priority health occupations or as early childhood educators and assistants (NOC 42202). 

Minimum EOI scores were: 

Foreign Worker stream: 41+ and International Student stream: 58+, targeting:  

• NOC 31100 – Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine 

• NOC 31101 – Specialists in surgery 

• NOC 31102 – General practitioners and family physicians 

• NOC 31300 – Nursing co-ordinators and supervisors 

• NOC 31301 – Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses 

• NOC 31302 – Nurse practitioners 

• NOC 31303 – Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals 

• NOC 32101 – Licensed practical nurses 

• NOC 33102 – Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates 

• NOC 42202 – Early childhood educators and assistants 

In-Demand Skills stream: 33+, only targeting NOC 44101 – Home support workers, housekeepers and related occupations.

This draw highlights Ontario’s urgent need for health care professionals and child care providers, both critical to meeting provincial labour shortages. 

August 28, 2025 — REDI Pilot & Targeted Northern Ontario Draw

On August 28, 2025, OINP issued 330 invitations to candidates with job offers targeting those in Northern Ontario. Applicants needed the following minimum scores: 

• Foreign Worker stream: 53+ 

• International Student stream: 66+. 

‘Northern Ontario’ includes the following Census Divisions: Muskoka, Haliburton, Nipissing, Parry Sound, Manitoulin, Sudbury, Greater Sudbury/Grand Sudbury, Timiskaming, Cochrane, Algoma, Thunder Bay, Rainy River, and Kenora. 

This draw targeted a wide range of occupations, including: 

• Business and finance: Financial auditors and accountants (NOC 11100), HR professionals (NOC 11200), bookkeepers (NOC 12200). 

• Engineering and IT: Civil engineers (NOC 21300), computer systems developers (NOC 21230), electrical engineers (NOC 21310). 

• Health care: Registered nurses (NOC 31301), physiotherapists (NOC 31202), dental hygienists (NOC 32111). 

• Trades: Electricians (NOC 72200), carpenters (NOC 72310), heavy-duty equipment mechanics (NOC 72401). 

• Education and social services: Secondary school teachers (NOC 41220), early childhood educators (NOC 42202), social workers (NOC 42201). 

You can see the full list here. 

REDI (Regional Economic Development through Immigration) Stream 

Also on August 28, 2025, Ontario issued 138 invitations through the REDI pilot, targeting candidates with job offers in Lambton, Lanark, and Leeds and Grenville. 

Minimum EOI scores were: 

• Foreign Worker stream: 45+ 

• International Student stream: 68+ 

• In-Demand Skills stream: 34+. 

Occupations included software engineers (NOC 21231), registered nurses (NOC 31301), early childhood educators (NOC 42202), machinists (NOC 72100), carpenters (NOC 72310), and material handlers (NOC 75101). 

This stream is designed to help smaller communities attract newcomers to support local labour needs. 

Key Takeaways for OINP Candidates 

1. After months of limited activity, Ontario has issued nearly 5,000 invitations across three draws in just one week. Finally, some momentum! 
2. Health care remains a top priority. Two of the largest rounds focused on nurses, doctors, and other health-related occupations, reaffirming Ontario’s demand for medical professionals. 
3. Northern Ontario and REDI streams target smaller communities, offering newcomers more pathways outside of Toronto and the GTA. 
4. Since July 2, 2025, applications for Employer Job Offer streams must be submitted via the Employer Portal. Candidates should ensure their employer is registered and ready to support the application. 
5. Cut-offs ranged from 33 (In-Demand Skills) to 66 (International Student), meaning candidates with job offers in targeted occupations have a strong chance of being invited.