OINP draws in 2026: current status
Ontario has not held an OINP draw since April 30, 2026 — the longest pause since the Expression of Interest system began in 2021. The pause followed the June 2026 OINP redesign, which closed all nine former streams and created the Ontario Workforce Priority (OWP) stream. The new EOI portal opened on August 4, 2026, and no invitations had been issued under it as of late October 2026.
TL;DR
- The last OINP draw under the old system ran on April 30, 2026.
- All nine former streams were closed in May–June 2026; the OWP stream is the only open route.
- The new EOI portal opened August 4, 2026; the first OWP draw had not happened as of late October 2026.
- Ontario has 14,119 nomination spaces allocated for 2026.
- A nomination is not permanent residence — IRCC makes the final decision.
What happened to the old draw system
Under the former streams, Ontario issued invitations through stream-specific Expression of Interest draws — sometimes several per month, sometimes with targeted occupation rounds. That machinery stopped on May 30, 2026, when the legal basis of the nine stream categories was revoked. EOIs and job offers registered under the old streams that had not led to an invitation were automatically withdrawn; our stranded EOI and grandfathering guide explains your position if that happened to you.
Ontario has not published a fixed draw schedule for the OWP stream. The province runs invitation rounds when program priorities and processing capacity allow, and the new framework gives the program director authority to target invitations by occupation, wage level, job location and other factors.
How the new EOI system ranks candidates
OWP EOIs are scored, not just queued. Points come from factors including the TEER level of your job offer, hourly wage, Canadian earnings history, Ontario work experience with the offering employer, education, language ability, and where in Ontario the job is located — northern and rural offers earn more regional points than Toronto offers. In October 2026, Ontario added a new top bracket to the earnings factor: annual earnings of $80,000 or more now earn 10 points, up from 8 points for the previous $70,000 bracket.
Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements only puts you in the pool. Invitations go to the highest-ranked EOIs, and Ontario can invite by targeted groups — so two candidates with identical scores can face different odds depending on their occupation and region.
What to do while no draws are running
- Confirm your EOI was properly registered under the OWP stream — if you were in an old-stream pool, that EOI is gone and you need a new one through your employer.
- Protect your temporary status. A nomination does not extend a work permit. Track your permit expiry independently and apply for an extension early — see our work permit guide.
- Keep your scoring factors current. A raise, a language-test improvement or an ECA for foreign education can change your rank before the first draw.
- Watch official sources, not rumours. Draw notices appear on Ontario’s program pages first; everything else is speculation.
How draws will likely work once they resume
Based on the published framework, expect three patterns: general rounds open to all eligible EOIs, targeted rounds by occupation or region, and rounds aligned with provincial labour-market priorities. Ontario also receives 10,814 invitations through federal PNP-linked Express Entry rounds in 2026 — a separate federal track — while provincial OINP invitations restart under the new stream.
When is the next OINP draw?
Ontario has not published a date. The new EOI system opened on August 4, 2026, and no OWP invitations had been issued as of late October 2026. Watch Ontario’s official program updates rather than unofficial predictions.
What happens to my EOI from a closed stream?
EOIs and job offers registered under the nine former streams that did not lead to an invitation were automatically withdrawn. You can register a new EOI under the OWP stream once your employer submits a new job offer. See our stranded-applicant guide for details.
How many nomination spaces does Ontario have in 2026?
Ontario’s 2026 allocation is 14,119 nominations, up from 10,750 in 2025. The allocation covers the full year across all streams.
Does an OINP invitation mean permanent residence?
No. An invitation leads to a nomination, and a nomination supports an application to IRCC for permanent residence. IRCC makes the final decision. A nomination adds points if you are in Express Entry and creates a direct PR application route otherwise.
Can I improve my OINP EOI score?
Yes. The scoring factors — wage, earnings history, Ontario experience, education, language and job location — can change. A higher wage, a stronger language score or a job offer outside the GTA all increase your rank.
Related pages
- OINP draws & application status
- Stranded EOIs & grandfathering
- Ontario Workforce Priority stream
- Ontario PNP vs Express Entry
- Book a paid consultation
Official sources
- Ontario — OINP invitations to apply (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Ontario — 2026 OINP updates (accessed 2026-10-29)
- IRCC — Provincial nominees (accessed 2026-10-29)
