Ontario invites over 750 in-demand workers in first draw of the month
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) held a targeted draw on April 1, 2026, issuing 759 invitations to apply (ITAs) to candidates with job offers in construction and mining-related occupations across the province.
The draw invited candidates under the province's Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker (FW), International Student (IS), and In-Demand Skills (IDS) streams. To have been invited, candidates must have declared that they currently reside in Canada with a valid work or study permit.
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This is the province's fifth set of invitation rounds in 2026, following draws held on February 2, February 18, March 18, and March 25.
This draw also marks the first time the OINP has held a draw targeting occupations in the mining sector.
Draw details
Of the total 759 invitations extended to candidates in mining and construction-related occupations, the majority were issued under the OINP's Foreign Worker stream (49%).
The minimum scores, number of invitations, and number of eligible occupations varied by stream:
| Stream | Invitations issued | Minimum score | Eligible NOC codes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign Worker | 372 | 56 | 14 |
| International Student | 355 | 85 | 15 |
| In-Demand Skills | 32 | 34 | 1 |
Eligible profiles must have been created and attested to—supported by a job offer from an eligible employer—between July 2, 2025, and March 30, 2026 (11:59 p.m.).
Which occupations were targeted?
The draw focused on occupations tied to Ontario's mining and construction sectors, including mining engineers, geological engineers, electrical and electronics engineers, welders, heavy-duty equipment mechanics, and industrial mechanics.
Most occupations overlapped between the Foreign Worker and International Student streams, with a few differences. The International Student stream included industrial electricians and heavy equipment operators, while the Foreign Worker stream did not.
The In-Demand Skills stream targeted only electronics assemblers, fabricators, inspectors, and testers.
Foreign Worker stream (score of 56 and above)
Candidates must have a job offer in one of the following NOC codes:
- NOC 21310 – Electrical and electronics engineers
- NOC 21330 – Mining engineers
- NOC 21331 – Geological engineers
- NOC 22100 – Chemical technologists and technicians
- NOC 22101 – Geological and mineral technologists and technicians
- NOC 22232 – Occupational health and safety specialists
- NOC 22302 – Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians
- NOC 22310 – Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
- NOC 22312 – Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics
- NOC 70012 – Facility operation and maintenance managers
- NOC 72106 – Welders and related machine operators
- NOC 72400 – Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics
- NOC 72401 – Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
- NOC 90010 – Manufacturing managers
International Student stream (score of 85 and above)
Candidates must have a job offer in one of the following NOC codes:
- NOC 21310 – Electrical and electronics engineers
- NOC 21330 – Mining engineers
- NOC 21331 – Geological engineers
- NOC 22100 – Chemical technologists and technicians
- NOC 22101 – Geological and mineral technologists and technicians
- NOC 22232 – Occupational health and safety specialists
- NOC 22302 – Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians
- NOC 22310 – Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
- NOC 22312 – Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics
- NOC 70012 – Facility operation and maintenance managers
- NOC 72106 – Welders and related machine operators
- NOC 72201 – Industrial electricians
- NOC 72400 – Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics
- NOC 73400 – Heavy equipment operators
- NOC 90010 – Manufacturing managers
In-Demand Skills stream (score of 34 and above)
Candidates must have a job offer in the following NOC code:
- NOC 94201 – Electronics assemblers, fabricators, inspectors, and testers
Next steps
Employers of selected candidates must review the employer guide and submit a complete application for approval of an employment position within 14 calendar days from the date of invitation.
Invited candidates must then submit their OINP application within 17 calendar days of receiving the ITA.
After receiving a provincial nomination from Ontario, successful nominees can then apply to the federal government for permanent residence (PR).
Why did the OINP target mining-related occupations?
As noted, while the OINP has held targeted draws for construction-related occupations before, this is the first time that Ontario has sought professionals in the mining field to apply for provincial nomination.
The OINP's first mining-focused draw comes amid growing federal investment in Northern Ontario's mining sector.
In March 2026, the Government of Canada announced an investment in mining research and development at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, aimed at expanding mineral exploration in the region.
The mining and minerals sector supports over 700,000 jobs across Canada and contributes over $150 billion annually to national GDP, according to the federal government.
Changes coming to the OINP
These draws come as Ontario prepares for a complete overhaul of its immigration streams.
Legal changes to the Ontario Immigration Act are set to take effect on May 30, 2026, revoking all existing categories of applicants eligible for a certificate of nomination — including the Foreign Worker, International Student, and In-Demand Skills categories used in this draw.
The OINP has not yet confirmed when replacement streams will launch or whether existing candidates will be transitioned.
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