On April 8, 2026, the Government of Ontario conducted a series of invitation draws under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), issuing invitations to apply (ITAs) across the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker (EJO FW), Employer Job Offer: International Student (EJO IS), and Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills (EJO IDS) streams. The draws targeted physicians, healthcare workers, early childhood educators, Francophone candidates, and candidates in the Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) pilot.

Draw Results: April 8, 2026

According to figures provided, the province issued invitations across three streams as follows:

• EJO Foreign Worker Stream: 617 ITAs
• EJO International Student Stream: 1,180 ITAs
• EJO In-Demand Skills Stream: 31 ITAs

The four draws on April 8 issued a combined total of 1,828 ITAs to candidates across healthcare, Francophone, physician, and regional streams. CIC News With these draws, the total number of invitations issued by the OINP in 2026 now stands at 8,171. Nationwide Visas

Who Was Targeted in These Draws?

The April 8 draws were targeted rather than general, with the province focusing on several priority categories:

Healthcare and Early Childhood Education: The healthcare and early childhood education draw accounted for the lion’s share of invitations, with 1,635 ITAs issued. The draw covered nursing coordinators and supervisors, registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses, licensed practical nurses, nurse aides, and early childhood educators and assistants. Immigration News Canada

Physicians: A total of 15 ITAs were issued under the EJO Foreign Worker Stream to doctors and medical specialists, with a minimum score requirement of 43 points. Only three NOC codes were eligible for this targeted draw. Immigration News Canada

Francophone Candidates: The province issued 146 ITAs to Francophone candidates across all three Employer Job Offer streams. Candidates must currently reside in Canada with a valid work or study permit and have an official language score of CLB 5 or higher in French. Ontario

REDI Pilot: The province issued 32 ITAs to candidates who may qualify for the REDI pilot under the EJO Foreign Worker, International Student, or In-Demand Skills streams. Ontario

Eligibility Requirements

To have been invited, candidates must have declared that they currently reside in Canada with a valid work or study permit. CIC News Eligible profiles must have been created and attested to by April 6, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Ontario Invited candidates must submit their OINP application and payment within 17 calendar days of receiving their ITA, and employers must submit their portion within 14 calendar days.

Important Context: Upcoming Changes to the OINP

Practitioners should be aware of a significant development on the horizon. Ontario is preparing for a complete overhaul of its immigration streams, with legal changes to the Ontario Immigration Act set to take effect on May 30, 2026. These changes will revoke all existing categories of applicants eligible for a certificate of nomination — including the Foreign Worker, International Student, and In-Demand Skills categories used in these draws. The OINP has not yet confirmed when replacement streams will launch or whether existing candidates will be transitioned. CIC News Practitioners with active EJO files should monitor the OINP Program Updates page closely for further announcements.

Join Us: The Complete Guide to OINP 2026

If you work with Ontario-bound clients navigating the provincial nominee process, LPEN’s upcoming course The Complete Guide to OINP 2026 on August 12, 2026 provides a comprehensive, 4-hour look at Ontario’s PNP streams and practical application strategies. Instructors Andrew Carvajal and Clinton Green will walk through current pathways and what practitioners need to know heading into the program’s transition period. Learn more and register here.

#oinp #ontario #employer_job_offer #foreign_workers #ejo_ids #ejo_fw #ejo_is