Ontario overhauls OINP priority occupations and issues 1,134 ITAs in targeted draw with 42 cutoff

Ontario overhauls OINP priority occupations; 1,134 ITAs issued in targeted draw with 42 cutoff

Summary: Ontario has revised the OINP “Other Priority” occupations list, narrowing eligibility and pivoting toward healthcare and skilled trades. On 2025-09-03, the province issued 1,134 ITAs in a targeted Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker draw with a remarkably low cutoff of 42. Ontario, Canada — In a significant policy shift dated 2025-09-03, Ontario updated the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program’s (OINP) “Other Priority” occupations under the Employer Job Offer streams, reducing the list to 77 occupations (down from 104) and immediately conducting a targeted draw that issued 1,134 invitations to apply (ITAs) with a cutoff score of 42. The update rebalances nominations toward sectors facing acute shortages. According to the update, many engineering, management, and education roles were removed (e.g., Civil Engineers — 21300, Mechanical Engineers — 21301, Electrical and Electronics Engineers — 21310, University Professors — 41200), while new additions emphasize healthcare and trades (e.g., Pharmacists — 31120, Psychologists — 31200, Physiotherapists — 31202, Medical Radiation Technologists — 32121, Construction Managers — 70010, various trade supervisors — 72010–72021). The list refinement indicates a strategic emphasis on healthcare services, construction, and maintenance, with a net reduction of 27 NOC codes. In the targeted draw on 2025-09-03 under the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream, candidates needed to be in Canada with a job offer in one of the priority NOCs, and profiles created between 2025-07-02 and 2025-09-03 were considered. This follows 2025-09-02 broader Employer Job Offer draws that issued 2,643 ITAs across multiple streams with scores ranging 33–58.

Programs affected: OINP-JOIS, OINP-JOFW, OINP-EE-Other. Why it matters:
- Positive impacts: The low cutoff (42) and targeted scope may accelerate pathways for in-demand healthcare professionals and skilled trades, aiding employers to fill vacancies and stabilizing critical services and infrastructure projects.
- Negative impacts: Applicants in removed engineering, management, and education occupations may face reduced provincial options under this category, potentially redirecting them to other OINP streams or other provinces. What applicants and employers should know:
- The “Other Priority” category now more tightly aligns with immediate labor needs; eligible candidates in the new list may benefit from faster selections.
- Those in removed NOCs should review alternative OINP pathways (e.g., Human Capital-focused options) or other provinces’ PNPs, and monitor future updates.

Date of update: 2025-09-03
Source: News Article
Note: Policies and lists change; consult official OINP resources for current criteria.

Tags: Ontario, OINP, Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program, Employer Job Offer, Foreign Worker, International Student, Other Priority Occupations, NOC 2021, Healthcare Occupations, Skilled Trades, Construction, Pharmacists, Psychologists, Medical Technologists, Provincial Nominee Program, PNP, Canadian Immigration, ITA, Cutoff Score, 2025 Immigration Updates End of article.