Ontario has officially finished giving out all of its immigration nominations for the year 2025. According to an update released on December 17, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) confirmed that it has used all 10,750 nomination spots allocated to the province for this year.
If you are planning to apply to Ontario or already have an application in progress, don’t panic. This update does not mean the program is closed. It simply means Ontario has reached its yearly limit for issuing nominations.
What Is the OINP and Why Does This Matter?
The OINP allows Ontario to nominate skilled workers, international graduates, and entrepreneurs for Canadian permanent residence. A provincial nomination is a strong advantage because it significantly improves your chances of being selected by the federal government.
Each year, Ontario receives a fixed number of nominations from the federal government. Once that number is used, the province must wait until the next year’s allocation to issue more nominations.
For 2025, Ontario’s total allocation was 10,750 nominations, and all of them have now been issued.
Can You Still Apply to OINP After the 2025 Cap?
Yes, you can still apply.
Even though Ontario has reached its 2025 nomination limit, the province has confirmed that it will continue to:
Process new applications submitted to the OINP
Review applications that are already in the system
However, any application approved from now on will count toward Ontario’s 2026 nomination quota, not 2025.
This means you may experience longer waiting times before receiving a nomination decision.
What Applicants Should Expect Next
If you have already submitted an application or are planning to apply soon, here is what you should know:
Your application will still be reviewed normally
You may not receive a nomination until Ontario starts using its 2026 allocation
Some delays are expected during this transition period
Applicants are strongly advised to regularly check their application status through the OINP e-Filing Portal, where updates and messages from the program are posted.
Important Clarification: Nomination vs Invitation to Apply
A provincial nomination is not the same as a federal Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
Ontario often issues more invitations than available nominations because:
Some applicants withdraw their files
Some applications are refused
Some candidates become ineligible
This helps the province fully use its allocation each year.
Why Ontario’s Nomination Numbers Were Lower in 2025
At the start of 2025, the federal government reduced nomination allocations for most provinces by 50%. This decision had a major impact across Canada.
Ontario’s nomination numbers dropped from 21,500 in 2024 to just 10,750 in 2025, forcing the province to become more selective when choosing candidates.
Major Changes Ontario Made to Its Immigration System in 2025
Due to the reduced quota, Ontario made several important changes to how its immigration system works.
Ontario shifted its Employer Job Offer streams from an applicant-led process to an employer-led system using a new Employer Portal. This means employers now play a bigger role in starting applications.
The province also launched a new OINP e-Filing system, making applications more digital and centralized.
Later in December, Ontario announced plans for a major overhaul of its immigration program. The proposal included:
Merging the three Employer Job Offer streams into one
Removing several existing streams
Introducing new targeted streams, including a healthcare priority stream, an entrepreneur stream, and an exceptional talent stream
These changes aim to better match Ontario’s labor market needs.
Good News for 2026 Applicants
There is positive news ahead.
Canada’s latest Immigration Levels Plan, announced in November 2025, increased the national target for PNP admissions in 2026 to 91,500. This is a 66% increase compared to the previous target of 55,000.
Because of this increase, many experts expect provinces like Ontario to receive higher nomination allocations in 2026, which could mean more opportunities for applicants next year.x§
Does this mean OINP is closed for 2025?
No. The program is still open and accepting applications. Only the issuance of nominations for 2025 has stopped.
Can I still submit a new OINP application now?
Yes. New applications are still being accepted and reviewed, but approvals will count toward 2026 nominations.
Will my application be refused because the cap is reached?
No. Your application will remain in the system and be processed normally.
Should I stop my application and wait for 2026?
Not necessarily. Submitting early can still be beneficial, as your file may already be in line once 2026 nominations begin.
How do I check updates on my application?
Log in to the OINP e-Filing Portal regularly to track messages, document requests, and status updates.
