Ontario Hits 2024 Limit for Provincial Nominee Program Allocation

As of December 23, 2024, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has exhausted its allocation for 2024, having granted 21,500 provincial nominations across various categories. This marks a significant milestone in Ontario’s immigration efforts for the year. However, hopeful applicants can still submit their applications starting with the 2025 allocation, even though the official nomination numbers for 2025 remain unconfirmed.

Ontario’s 2024 activity summary reveals that the Ontario’s Provincial Nominee Program extended over 22,000 invitations to apply (ITAs) through several streams. The Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker and International Student streams led the invitations with 6,695 and 8,363 ITAs, respectively. Other notable figures include 914 ITAs for the In-Demand Skills stream and 5,519 ITAs for the Masters Graduate stream. Surprisingly, the PhD Graduate stream received 533 ITAs, while the Entrepreneur stream saw no activity with zero ITAs issued.

Differentiating between an ITA and a provincial nomination is crucial. Prospective immigrants first submit a profile to the OINP, either by expressing interest or holding a valid Express Entry profile. If chosen for a base stream, candidates are given an ITA and invited to apply to the OINP. Upon successful application, a provincial nomination can be received, allowing them to apply to Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residency. Enhanced stream selections grant candidates an extra 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, increasing their chances for an ITA in the federal Express Entry system. Participants must maintain a valid Express Entry profile for enhanced nominations.

Looking ahead to 2025, proactive applicants should plan for possible reductions in Ontario’s nomination numbers. Ontario, among Canada’s leading and most renowned PNPs, is set to face adjustments following macro-level IRCC changes. The 2023 Immigration Levels Plan established a combined admissions target of 110,000 across all PNPs for 2024, with this number reducing to 55,000 for 2025. The OINP is also scaling back, notably with the recent termination of its entrepreneur stream without a substitute in sight.

Conclusion: While 2024 has seen robust activity and achievements in Ontario’s Provincial Nominee Program, potential applicants should brace for upcoming changes in 2025. Staying informed about allocation limits and stream availability will be vital for prospective immigrants aiming to settle in Ontario.