Ontario Confirms Higher OINP Nomination Allocation for 2026

Ontario has officially announced its provincial nomination allocation for 2026, confirming an increase compared to the previous year. According to an update published on February 6, 2026, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has been granted 14,119 nomination spaces by the federal government for the year.

This allocation allows Ontario to nominate eligible candidates for permanent residence across its eight immigration streams, supporting the province’s labour market and economic priorities.

Official source:
Ontario OINP Updates Page – February 6, 2026
https://www.ontario.ca/page/oinp-updates

How 2026 Compares to Previous Years

Ontario’s 2026 nomination total represents a 31% increase over its 2025 allocation of 10,750 nominations. The rise aligns with the federal government’s broader expansion of permanent residence admissions under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

For 2026, Canada has increased total PNP admissions targets from 55,000 in 2025 to 91,500, giving provinces more capacity to select candidates that meet regional needs.

Despite this increase, Ontario’s allocation remains below its 2024 level of 21,500 nominations, meaning the province has recovered approximately 67% of its former capacity.

Other provinces – including Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Yukon- have also confirmed higher nomination numbers for 2026.

Federal context:
Government of Canada – Immigration Levels Plan
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigration-canada-levels-plan.html

What Hasn’t Been Announced Yet

As of early February 2026, Ontario has not yet released:

Priority sectors or occupations for 2026
A breakdown of nominations by individual OINP stream
Stream-specific intake timelines

Further details are expected later in the year as the program finalizes its intake strategy.

Key OINP Program Changes Leading Into 2026

Ontario has introduced several notable policy and operational changes over the past year:

Expanded eligibility for self-employed physicians, including certain internationally trained doctors with provisional licensing and OHIP billing numbers.
Suspension of the Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream in November 2025 due to compliance and enforcement concerns.
New authority to return or suspend applications prior to nomination issuance, including expanded criteria related to housing capacity, labour market needs, and applicant credentials.
Shift to an employer-led intake system for Employer Job Offer streams through a new electronic Employer Portal.
Reduced education requirements for early childhood educators and assistants under select Express Entry streams.
Potential in-person interviews for applicants and employers to strengthen application integrity.

Planned Stream Consolidation Ahead

Ontario has also proposed a major redesign of the OINP structure. Under a two-phase consolidation plan, the province intends to:

Merge its three Employer Job Offer streams into a single stream with multiple tracks.
Replace most existing streams with three new pathways focused on:
- Healthcare workers
- Entrepreneurs
- Exceptional or high-impact talent

These changes were proposed in late 2025 and are expected to roll out during 2026 and beyond, pending final regulatory approval.

Important Note

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. For case-specific guidance, applicants should consult official government resources or a licensed Canadian immigration professional.