Ontario Invites 918 Masters and PhD Graduates in April 22, 2026 OINP Draw
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) conducted a major draw on April 22, 2026 , targeting international graduates under the Masters Graduate stream and PhD Graduate stream.
A total of 918 invitations to apply (ITAs) were issued:
| Stream | Invitations | Minimum Score |
|---|---|---|
| Masters Graduate | 674 | 61 |
| PhD Graduate | 244 | 56 |
Important: Candidates must currently reside in Canada with a valid work permit or study permit to be eligible for these streams. [Source: OINP April 22, 2026 update]
On This Page
- Draw Summary
- Masters Graduate Stream: Details
- PhD Graduate Stream: Details
- Who Is Eligible? Key Requirements
- How to Apply After Receiving an Invitation
- Why Ontario Is Targeting Graduate Streams
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Official Sources
Draw Summary
| Detail | Masters Graduate | PhD Graduate |
|---|---|---|
| Date of draw | April 22, 2026 | April 22, 2026 |
| Invitations issued | 674 | 244 |
| Minimum score required | 61 | 56 |
| Profile creation deadline | April 20, 2026, 11:59 p.m. | April 20, 2026, 11:59 p.m. |
| Application deadline | 14 calendar days from invitation | 14 calendar days from invitation |
| File number prefix | NMAS | NPHD |
Candidates who received an invitation must log into the OINP e-Filing Portal and locate their file number (starting with NMAS for Masters or NPHD for PhD). Applications and payments must be submitted within 14 calendar days of the invitation date.
Masters Graduate Stream: Details
The Masters Graduate stream is for international students who have earned a master’s degree from an eligible university in Ontario.
Minimum Score: 61
Candidates with a score of 61 or above received an invitation. The score is based on factors such as:
- Level of education (master’s degree)
- Field of study (STEM, health, etc.)
- Canadian work experience
- Language proficiency
- Intention to settle in Ontario
Eligibility Highlights (Quick Overview)
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Education | Master’s degree from an eligible Ontario university (must be completed within the last 2 years) |
| Residence | Must live in Ontario or have lived in Ontario for at least 1 year in the last 2 years |
| Status | Must have valid work or study permit (or be exempt) and reside in Canada |
| Language | CLB 7 or higher in English or French |
| Settlement funds | Must show sufficient funds to support self and family |
Note: You do not need a job offer to apply under the Masters Graduate stream.
PhD Graduate Stream: Details
The PhD Graduate stream is for international students who have completed a doctoral degree from an eligible Ontario university.
Minimum Score: 56
Candidates with a score of 56 or above received an invitation. The score is generally lower than Masters because PhD graduates are in very high demand.
Eligibility Highlights (Quick Overview)
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Education | PhD degree from an eligible Ontario university (completed within the last 2 years) |
| Residence | Must live in Ontario or have lived in Ontario for at least 1 year in the last 2 years |
| Status | Must have valid work or study permit (or be exempt) and reside in Canada |
| Language | No mandatory language test required (but may be requested) |
| Job offer | Not required |
PhD graduates are considered highly skilled and are fast-tracked for permanent residence through the OINP.
Who Is Eligible? Key Requirements for Both Streams
To be eligible for either the Masters or PhD Graduate stream, you must meet the following common requirements:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Live in Canada | You must currently reside in Canada (not abroad) |
| Valid status | You must hold a valid work permit or study permit at the time of application |
| Intent to reside | You must intend to live and work in Ontario after becoming a permanent resident |
| Application window | You must apply within 2 years of completing your degree |
| Legal status | You must have legal status in Canada (visitor record, work permit, or study permit) |
Important: If your permit has expired, you may need to apply for restoration of status before applying to OINP.
How to Apply After Receiving an Invitation
If you received an invitation in this draw, follow these steps carefully:
Step 1: Log into the OINP e-Filing Portal
Go to the OINP e-Filing Portal and log in using your credentials.
Step 2: Find Your File Number
Your file number will appear in the portal. It will have the prefix:
- NMAS for Masters Graduate stream
- NPHD for PhD Graduate stream
Click on the file number to start your application.
Step 3: Complete the Application
Fill out all required sections. You will need:
- Proof of your degree (transcripts, completion letter)
- Proof of residence in Canada (utility bills, lease agreement)
- Valid work or study permit
- Language test results (for Masters stream – CLB 7 or higher)
- Settlement funds documentation (bank statements)
Step 4: Pay the Application Fee
The current application fee for the Masters and PhD Graduate streams is $1,750 (effective January 22, 2026). You must pay online through the portal.
Step 5: Submit Within 14 Days
You have 14 calendar days from the date of invitation (April 22, 2026) to submit your complete application. The deadline is May 6, 2026.
Warning: Failure to submit within 14 days will void your invitation. No extensions are granted.
Why Ontario Is Targeting Graduate Streams
Ontario has a strong interest in retaining international graduates because:
- They are already integrated into Canadian society and economy.
- They have Canadian education and often Canadian work experience.
- They are younger and contribute to the labour force for decades.
- They fill skill shortages in STEM, healthcare, and other fields.
The Masters and PhD Graduate streams are among the most popular OINP pathways because they do not require a job offer. This makes them accessible to graduates who are still looking for work or who want to start their own businesses.
Recent Draw Trends
| Date | Masters ITAs | Masters Score | PhD ITAs | PhD Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 22, 2026 | 674 | 61 | 244 | 56 |
| Previous draw (2025) | ~500 | 58 | ~200 | 50 |
The minimum score for Masters increased slightly from 58 to 61, reflecting growing competition. PhD scores also rose from 50 to 56.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Do I need a job offer to apply for the Masters or PhD Graduate stream?
No. Neither stream requires a job offer. You can apply based solely on your degree and other factors.
Q2: Can I apply if I am currently living outside Canada?
No. You must reside in Canada with valid temporary resident status (work permit or study permit) at the time of application.
Q3: What if my study permit has expired?
You cannot apply if your status has expired. You would need to restore your status first (within 90 days of expiry) before applying to OINP.
Q4: What is the minimum language score for the Masters stream?
You need CLB 7 in English (IELTS 6.0 in each skill) or French (TEF). The PhD stream does not have a mandatory language requirement, but you may be asked to provide proof.
Q5: How long does it take to process the application after submission?
OINP aims to process applications within 3 months for the Masters and PhD Graduate streams. However, times may vary.
Q6: Can I include my spouse and children in the application?
Yes. Once you receive a provincial nomination, you can apply for permanent residence through IRCC and include your accompanying family members.
Q7: I received an invitation but my profile was created after April 20, 2026. Can I still apply?
No. Only profiles created and attested to by April 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. were eligible for this draw.
Q8: Where can I find the official OINP updates?
Visit the official OINP updates page: ontario.ca/page/2026-ontario-immigrant-nominee-program-updates
Official Sources
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| OINP Masters Graduate stream | ontario.ca/page/oinp-masters-graduate-stream |
| OINP PhD Graduate stream | ontario.ca/page/oinp-phd-graduate-stream |
| OINP e-Filing Portal | ontario.ca/page/oinp-e-filing-portal |
| 2026 OINP updates | ontario.ca/page/2026-ontario-immigrant-nominee-program-updates |
Bottom Line
Ontario invited 918 Masters and PhD graduates on April 22, 2026, with minimum scores of 61 and 56 respectively.
Key takeaways for candidates:
| If You Received an Invitation | If You Did Not Receive an Invitation |
|---|---|
| ✅ Log into the OINP e-Filing Portal | ✅ Check if you meet basic eligibility |
| ✅ Find your file number (NMAS or NPHD) | ✅ Improve your score (language, work experience, etc.) |
| ✅ Submit application within 14 days (by May 6, 2026) | ✅ Create or update your EOI profile |
| ✅ Pay the $1,750 fee | ✅ Watch for future draws (likely monthly) |
For international graduates still studying: Plan ahead. The Masters and PhD Graduate streams are highly competitive. Focus on improving your language scores, gaining Canadian work experience, and maintaining valid status in Canada.
Congratulations to those who received invitations – this is your chance to become a permanent resident of Ontario.
About Author
