The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has issued another round of invitations under its Master’s Graduate and PhD Graduate streams. This marks the second selection round for 2026, reflecting the province’s ongoing commitment to attracting skilled graduates.
On April 22, Ontario invited over 900 international student graduates residing in Canada with valid work or study permits to apply for provincial nomination. This selection round follows closely after the OINP’s April 15 draw, which targeted workers in priority and agriculture-related occupations.
Draw Details
A total of 918 invitations to apply (ITAs) were extended to candidates who completed a master’s or PhD degree at an Ontario university. Approximately 73.4% of the invitations were issued through the Master’s Graduate Stream, while the remaining were allocated to the PhD Graduate Stream.
The number of invitations issued and the minimum score required for each stream are as follows:
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- Master’s Graduate Stream: 674 invitations, cutoff score of 61.
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- PhD Graduate Stream: 244 invitations, cutoff score of 56.
Candidates had to create their profiles between April 22, 2025, and April 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. to be considered. Unlike the March 18 draw earlier this year, which also targeted master’s and PhD graduates, this latest round did not require candidates to have experience in any National Occupational Classification (NOC) code.
It is worth noting that the cutoff scores were higher in this draw compared to the previous round, indicating a more competitive selection process:
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- Master’s Graduate Stream: increased from 30 to 61.
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- PhD Graduate Stream: remained at 49.
This draw is significant as it marks only the second issuance of invitations through these two streams since the selection was paused for over a year. The last draw prior to March 18 occurred on September 17, 2024.
Next Steps After Receiving an Invitation
If you receive an invitation, you must log into the OINP e-Filing Portal and access your newly created file number, which will have the prefix “NMAS” for the Master’s Graduate Stream or “NPHD” for the PhD Graduate Stream. You will have 14 calendar days from the date of ITA receipt to submit a complete application for provincial nomination.
Under the Master’s Graduate and PhD Graduate stream requirements, there is a two-year eligibility window to submit an application for provincial nomination after completing your degree. For instance, if your degree is dated June 1, 2022, all steps of the process must be completed by June 1, 2024. If your degree was obtained more than two years ago when you apply, you should decline your ITA.
Once you receive a provincial nomination, you may apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence.
Upcoming Changes to the OINP
These draws occur amid a significant restructuring of Ontario’s immigration system. Recent amendments to the Ontario Immigration Act will eliminate existing application categories, which include:
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- Foreign worker category
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- International student with a job offer category
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- In-demand skills category
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- Master’s Graduate category
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- PhD Graduate category
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- Human Capital Priorities category
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- French-speaking skilled worker category
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- Skilled trades category
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- Entrepreneur category
These changes are set to take effect on May 30, 2026. In their place, Ontario plans to introduce four streamlined pathways: a consolidated Employer Job Offer stream, a priority healthcare stream, an entrepreneur stream, and an exceptional talent stream. Specific details regarding the implementation and timelines of these proposed streams have not yet been announced.
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for the Master’s and PhD Graduate streams?
Eligible applicants are those who have completed a master’s or PhD degree from an Ontario university and are currently residing in Canada with a valid work or study permit.
What is the process after receiving an ITA?
After receiving an ITA, candidates must submit a complete application through the OINP e-Filing Portal within 14 days.
How will the upcoming changes to the OINP affect current applicants?
The upcoming changes will eliminate several existing categories, and applicants should stay informed about the new pathways being introduced.
Reality Check
While the OINP offers opportunities for skilled graduates, applicants should be aware of the competitive nature of the selection process. Higher cutoff scores indicate that many candidates may be vying for a limited number of invitations. It is crucial for applicants to verify their eligibility and ensure they understand the requirements before applying.
Additionally, the upcoming changes to the OINP may alter the landscape of available streams and pathways. Therefore, potential applicants should regularly check the official Ontario immigration page for the most current information.
