The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) conducted a regional draw on April 30, 2026 , targeting candidates with a valid job offer in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) . A total of 997 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued under the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker and International Student streams.
- 01Draw at a Glance: GTA Regional Focus
- 02Foreign Worker Stream – Minimum Score 57 (Eligible NOCs)
- 03International Student Stream – Minimum Score 81 (Eligible NOCs)
- 04GTA Census Divisions Included
- 05Why This Draw Matters – Analysis
- 06How to Apply After Receiving an Invitation
- 07Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- 08Official Sources
- 09Final Bottom Line
This is the first GTA‑specific draw of 2026, reflecting Ontario’s continued focus on filling labour shortages in Canada’s largest urban centre. The minimum scores were 57 for Foreign Worker and 81 for International Student.
Key deadline: Eligible profiles must have been created and attested by April 28, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Employers have 14 calendar days to submit their application; candidates have 17 calendar days to apply through the OINP e‑Filing Portal (file number prefix JOXX).
Draw at a Glance: GTA Regional Focus
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date of draw | April 30, 2026 |
| Region | Greater Toronto Area (GTA) |
| Streams | Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker & International Student |
| Total invitations | 997 |
| Foreign Worker minimum score | 57 |
| International Student minimum score | 81 |
| Profile creation deadline | April 28, 2026, 11:59 p.m. |
| Employer submission deadline | 14 calendar days from April 30, 2026 |
| Candidate application deadline | 17 calendar days from April 30, 2026 |
| File number prefix | JOXX |
The draw focused exclusively on the GTA, which includes the following Census Divisions: Durham, Halton, Peel, Toronto, and York.
Foreign Worker Stream – Minimum Score 57 (Eligible NOCs)
Candidates with a score of 57 or above and a job offer in one of the listed occupations received an invitation. The eligible NOC codes span multiple high‑demand sectors:
Technology & Engineering
20010– Engineering managers20011– Architecture and science managers20012– Computer and information systems managers21200– Architects21222– Information systems specialists21230– Computer systems developers and programmers21231– Software engineers and designers21232– Software developers and programmers21233– Web designers21234– Web developers and programmers21311– Computer engineers21331– Geological engineers22222– Information systems testing technicians
Healthcare
30010– Managers in health care31102– General practitioners and family physicians31120– Pharmacists31200– Psychologists31202– Physiotherapists31301– Registered nurses32101– Licensed practical nurses32112– Dental technologists and technicians32120– Medical laboratory technologists32122– Medical sonographers32129– Other medical technologists33103– Pharmacy technical assistants33109– Other assisting occupations in health
Management, Administration & Construction
00012– Senior managers (financial, communications)00013– Senior managers (health, education, social services)10011– Human resources managers10019– Other administrative services managers12100– Executive assistants12102– Procurement and purchasing agents40021– School principals41302– Ecclesiastical occupations41321– Career development practitioners51111– Authors and writers70010– Construction managers70012– Facility operation managers72310– Carpenters
Note: This draw did not include the In‑Demand Skills stream; only Foreign Worker and International Student were invited.
International Student Stream – Minimum Score 81 (Eligible NOCs)
Candidates with a score of 81 or above and a job offer in the listed occupations received an invitation. The list includes many tech, healthcare, and management roles, with some overlap with the Foreign Worker list.
Technology & Engineering
20010– Engineering managers20012– Computer and information systems managers21200– Architects21222– Information systems specialists21230– Computer systems developers21231– Software engineers21232– Software developers21233– Web designers21234– Web developers21311– Computer engineers21331– Geological engineers22222– Information systems testing technicians
Healthcare
30010– Managers in health care31202– Physiotherapists31301– Registered nurses32101– Licensed practical nurses32109– Other technical occupations in therapy32121– Medical radiation technologists32123– Cardiology technologists32124– Pharmacy technicians32129– Other medical technologists33100– Dental assistants33102– Nurse aides33103– Pharmacy technical assistants33109– Other assisting health occupations
Management, Administration & Trades
10019– Other administrative services managers10021– Banking and investment managers12013– Supervisors, supply chain12102– Procurement agents13100– Administrative officers70010– Construction managers70011– Home building managers72010– Contractors (machining, metal trades)72205– Telecommunications equipment technicians73201– General maintenance workers
The higher minimum score (81 compared to 57 for Foreign Worker) reflects the larger pool of international graduates in the GTA and the high demand for these occupations among recent graduates.
GTA Census Divisions Included
The draw applied to job offers located in the following Census Divisions (CDs), which together form the Greater Toronto Area:
| Census Division | Major municipalities |
|---|---|
| Durham | Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa |
| Halton | Oakville, Burlington, Milton, Halton Hills |
| Peel | Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon |
| Toronto | City of Toronto |
| York | Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Newmarket |
If your job offer is outside these CDs (e.g., Hamilton, Kitchener, London), you are not eligible for this draw. However, you may be eligible for future regional draws (e.g., Eastern, Northern, Southwestern, Central Ontario), which OINP has conducted earlier in April 2026.
Why This Draw Matters – Analysis
1. First GTA‑Specific Draw of 2026
While OINP has held regional draws for Eastern, Northern, Southwestern, and Central Ontario earlier in April, this is the first draw dedicated exclusively to the GTA. It signals that the GTA still faces critical labour shortages in tech, healthcare, construction, and management.
2. Low Foreign Worker Score (57)
A minimum score of 57 is relatively low for the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream. In previous GTA‑wide draws (e.g., 2024–2025), scores often ranged from 60 to 70. The drop likely reflects:
- A larger allocation for the GTA in 2026
- An urgent need to fill the listed occupations, especially in healthcare and technology
- A deliberate policy to speed up nominations for GTA employers
3. International Student Score Remains Competitive (81)
International graduates in the GTA face stiffer competition. The minimum score of 81 is consistent with recent draws and indicates that many candidates have strong profiles (high wages, skilled NOCs, and good language scores). If you are an international student in the GTA with a CRS‑like score below 80, you may need to improve your language test results or gain additional work experience.
4. Healthcare and Tech Dominate the NOC Lists
Both streams heavily favour:
- Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, pharmacists, medical technologists
- Software engineers, developers, web designers, IT system specialists
- Construction managers, carpenters, general maintenance workers
If your occupation is not on the list, you cannot be invited in this draw. However, OINP conducts general draws (no occupational restrictions) periodically – watch for those.
5. Regional Draws Are Becoming the Norm
In 2026, OINP has transitioned from a single “general” draw to multiple regional draws (Eastern, Northern, Southwestern, Central, and now GTA). This allows the province to target labour gaps more precisely. Candidates who are willing to work outside the GTA may find lower score thresholds (e.g., Eastern Ontario Foreign Worker score was 63, still higher than GTA’s 57). Interestingly, the GTA score (57) is actually lower than many other regions, suggesting that OINP is prioritizing the GTA’s labour needs.
How to Apply After Receiving an Invitation
If you received an ITA in this draw, follow these steps immediately:
| Step | Action | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Review the Employer Job Offer stream page to confirm eligibility and required documents. | – |
| 2 | Your employer must complete their part of the application (employer guide, submission). | 14 calendar days from April 30, 2026 |
| 3 | Log into the OINP e‑Filing Portal. Find your file number (prefix JOXX). | – |
| 4 | Complete your application and pay the fee ($1,750 for principal applicant). | 17 calendar days from April 30, 2026 |
Warning: Missing the 14‑day employer deadline or the 17‑day candidate deadline will void your invitation. No extensions are granted.
The employer must submit the following:
- Completed Offer of Employment form (IMM 0157)
- Business documents (e.g., business license, financial statements)
- Attestation of genuine job offer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: I live in the GTA but my job offer is outside the GTA. Am I eligible?
No. Your job offer location must be within the five specified Census Divisions (Durham, Halton, Peel, Toronto, York). Your residence does not matter as long as you are in Canada with valid status.
Q2: My occupation is listed but I received a score of 56 (Foreign Worker) and was not invited. Why?
The minimum score was 57. If your score is below the cutoff, you will not receive an ITA. You can improve your score by increasing your wage, gaining more work experience, or improving your language test results. Then update your EOI profile.
Q3: Can my employer apply after the 14‑day deadline?
No. The employer’s submission is mandatory and must be received within 14 calendar days. If they miss the deadline, your invitation becomes void. There is no appeal.
Q4: What is the application fee for the Employer Job Offer streams?
As of January 22, 2026, the fee is $1,750 for the principal applicant. There is no separate employer fee, but the employer must pay for their own compliance costs (e.g., business document preparation).
Q5: If I receive a nomination, how long does it take to get permanent residence?
After provincial nomination, you apply to IRCC for permanent residence. Processing times for PNP‑linked applications are currently about 12–16 months (but can vary). You may also apply for a work permit support letter to work while waiting.
Q6: Will there be another GTA draw in 2026?
Likely yes. OINP conducts regional draws periodically. Watch the official OINP updates page for announcements.
Official Sources
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| OINP Employer Job Offer stream | ontario.ca/page/oinp-employer-job-offer |
| OINP e‑Filing Portal | ontario.ca/page/oinp-e-filing-portal |
| 2026 OINP updates | ontario.ca/page/2026-ontario-immigrant-nominee-program-updates |
| Census Division maps (GTA) | Statistics Canada |
Final Bottom Line
The April 30, 2026, OINP GTA draw issued 997 invitations to candidates with job offers in Toronto, Peel, York, Durham, and Halton.
- Foreign Worker stream: minimum score 57 – accessible for many skilled workers in tech, healthcare, and management.
- International Student stream: minimum score 81 – competitive, but achievable with strong language skills and a high‑wage job offer.
- Apply within 17 days – the clock is ticking.
If you received an invitation, act now. If you missed this draw, update your EOI profile and watch for future regional or general draws. The GTA remains a top priority for Ontario’s economic recovery, and more invitations are almost certain.
Ready to take the next step? Log into the OINP e‑Filing Portal, find your JOXX file, and submit your complete application before the May 17, 2026 deadline.
This article is based on official OINP information published April 30, 2026. All information is accurate as of that date. Always refer to official Government of Ontario channels for the most current information.
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