Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP): 2024 Wrap-Up and What Lies Ahead for 2025
As we approach the end of 2024, Ontario’s flagship immigration program, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), has officially hit its provincial nomination cap. With a record-breaking 21,500 nominations issued across various streams, this year marked a milestone for Ontario’s contribution to Canada’s immigration strategy.
But what does this mean for prospective immigrants? Here’s a closer look at the key highlights of 2024 and what to expect in 2025.
2024: A Year of Achievements
This year, the OINP achieved an impressive feat, issuing over 22,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) across its streams. Here’s how these ITAs were distributed:
- 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
Understanding ITAs and Provincial Nominations
It’s important to differentiate between an ITA and a provincial nomination:
- Invitation to Apply (ITA): Candidates are invited to submit a formal application to the OINP, either through the Expression of Interest (EOI) pool or via an enhanced Express Entry profile.
- Provincial Nomination: If the OINP approves the application, the candidate receives a provincial nomination, which can significantly boost their chances of obtaining permanent residence (PR).
Enhanced Streams: For candidates with Express Entry profiles, a provincial nomination adds a massive 600 CRS points, making them highly likely to receive an ITA in the next federal Express Entry draw.
Base Streams: For streams not tied to Express Entry, successful candidates apply directly to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for PR after securing a provincial nomination.
Challenges Ahead in 2025
While 2024 was a banner year for the OINP, 2025 may see a sharp reduction in the number of provincial nominations issued. This is due to IRCC’s updated Immigration Levels Plan, which significantly reduces provincial admissions allocations:
- 2024 Allocation: 110,000 admissions across all provinces.
- 2025 Allocation: 55,000 admissions – a drastic cut by half.
With provincial economic immigration overtaking federal pathways in admissions, the OINP and other Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) face the challenge of adapting to these reduced quotas.
What Else Changed in 2024?
The OINP made headlines this year with the closure of its Entrepreneur Stream. Currently, there are no announcements about a replacement, signaling a shift in focus for Ontario’s immigration priorities.
Looking Forward
As we step into 2025, here’s what prospective immigrants should keep in mind:
- Tighter Competition: With fewer provincial nominations available, candidates should aim to strengthen their profiles to stand out.
- Enhanced Streams Advantage: Having a valid Express Entry profile increases the likelihood of securing a nomination under enhanced streams.
- Stay Updated: Keep an eye on announcements from the OINP regarding new allocations or program updates.
The OINP remains a gateway for thousands of immigrants to make Ontario their home. While changes in immigration targets may pose challenges, Ontario’s commitment to attracting global talent continues to be a cornerstone of its immigration strategy.
Looking forward to getting more information on the migration program Call or WhatsApp us 00974 4493 4528
Connect with us to get updates on our regular Immigration and hiring updates 🤝🏻
💬Official Whatsapp Channel | 💬 Whatsapp Community | 👍 Facebook | 📸 Instagram | 💼 LinkedIn