CRS Cutoff Expected To Drop In 2026 With New Express Entry Changes

Ontario OINP issued 1,404 invitations in two Employer Job Offer draws on February 18, 2026

Last Updated On 19 February 2026, 10:35 AM EST (Toronto Time)

CRS cutoff scores for Express Entry category-based draws are expected to drop in 2026 if IRCC maintains similar invitation numbers after doubling the category-specific work experience requirement from 6 months to 12 months.

Ontario held two targeted OINP draws on February 18, 2026, sending 1,404 invitations to apply under the Employer Job Offer category. These rounds focused on skilled trades-related occupations, not general occupations.

If you were invited, it’s important to know this is not permanent residence yet. It is an invitation to submit a provincial nomination application, and your employer also has timed steps in the process.

What happened in the February 18 OINP draws?

Ontario issued invitations in two streams:

These were targeted draws for skilled trades-related occupations.

For Ontario’s official running log of invitations, see the OINP Invitations to Apply page.

Which occupations were targeted?

Ontario described these as skilled trades-related occupations. The public list shared by Immigration News Canada includes many trades and trade supervisors (for example, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, welders, and heavy equipment operators). You can review the full list they published here: INC’s occupation list for Feb 18 draws.

For your application, what matters is your NOC code and job duties, not just your job title.

What does the “score” mean in OINP draws?

These draws used Ontario’s Expression of Interest (EOI) system for Employer Job Offer streams. Your score comes from factors Ontario uses to rank EOIs, and the cutoff can change in every round.

If you’re not sure how the EOI system works, start here: OINP Expression of Interest system overview.

Deadlines after you receive an invitation

This is the part many people miss: the employer must act, and the clock is short.

According to Ontario’s Employer Portal instructions:

• The employer must submit the application for approval of an employment position within 14 calendar days of the invitation.

• The candidate must submit their OINP application within 17 calendar days of the invitation.

Ontario explains the full employer-led process here: How to use the OINP Employer Portal.

If you were not invited (what to do next)

If you think you should have been eligible, check the basics:

• Confirm you meet the stream rules on the official pages:

  • Foreign Worker stream

  • International Student stream

• Make sure your employer has created the job offer correctly and you registered your EOI on time (Ontario notes the EOI must be registered within 30 days after the job offer is submitted).

• Watch the official draw log: OINP Invitations to Apply.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does an OINP invitation mean I am nominated?

No. An invitation means you can apply. Ontario still has to assess your documents and eligibility before issuing a nomination.

What if my employer misses the 14-day deadline?

Ontario states the application will be withdrawn if the employer does not apply within 14 days, and the employer would need to create a new job offer for future consideration.

How do I prove my job matches the NOC?

Use a consistent evidence set: job offer letter + duties + pay proof + (if relevant) trade/union documents. Your duties should match the NOC you are claiming (not just the title).

Where can I contact OINP if I have a technical or process issue?

Ontario provides an online contact option through its system (webform) referenced in the Employer Portal guidance. Start from the official portal page here: How to use the OINP Employer Portal.

Reality check

These were targeted trades draws, so many people in Ontario will not qualify even with a valid profile. Also, meeting a score threshold does not guarantee future invitations, because Ontario can change targets and cutoffs without notice.

If you were invited, treat it like a compliance checklist: employer ready, documents ready, deadlines protected. If any part is missing, it’s safer to pause and fix issues than to submit a rushed application that could be refused as incomplete