Ontario PNP Nomination Allocation 2026 Increases to 14,119
Ontario has officially confirmed its Ontario PNP nomination allocation 2026, and the province is receiving more nomination spaces compared to last year.
The federal government has granted the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) 14,119 nominations for 2026, marking a significant increase from 2025 levels. The update was published on the OINP website on February 6, 2026.
As of this writing, Ontario has not yet announced how the nominations will be distributed across its eight immigration streams, nor has it identified priority sectors or occupations for the year.
How the 2026 Allocation Compares to Previous Years
The Ontario PNP nomination allocation 2026 represents approximately a 31% increase from the 10,750 nominations Ontario received in 2025.
The rise aligns with the federal government’s expanded permanent residence (PR) targets under Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). For 2026, Canada has increased its PNP admissions target to 91,500, up from 55,000 the previous year.
With higher federal PR targets, several provinces and territories — including Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Yukon — have already reported increased nomination spaces this year.
While Ontario’s 2026 allocation shows growth compared to 2025, it remains lower than its 2024 level of 21,500 nominations. This means the Ontario PNP nomination allocation 2026 has recovered roughly 67% of its 2024 capacity.
Key Changes to the OINP in 2025–2026
In addition to the updated nomination numbers, Ontario has introduced several important changes to its immigration program:
1. Expanded Eligibility for Self-Employed Physicians
In January 2026, Ontario expanded eligibility under the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream to include certain self-employed internationally trained physicians. Eligible doctors must hold provisional certificates from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario and have an OHIP billing number.
Earlier updates also allowed self-employed physicians to count their self-employment experience toward eligibility under three OINP streams.
2. Suspension of the Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream
In November 2025, Ontario suspended its Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream and returned pending applications after identifying compliance and enforcement concerns.
3. Broader Authority to Return or Suspend Applications
New regulations introduced in July 2025 allow Ontario to return applications before issuing nominations, with fees refunded.
By October 2025, additional factors were added that could lead to suspension or return of applications — including housing availability, healthcare capacity, labour market needs, language proficiency, education, and work status.
4. New Employer Portal
Ontario shifted to an employer-led intake system for Employer Job Offer streams in July 2025. Applicants can no longer apply directly under these streams; employers must now initiate applications through the new electronic portal.
5. Reduced Education Requirements for Early Childhood Educators
Education requirements were lowered for early childhood educators and assistants (NOC 42202), removing the need for a Canadian bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) under certain streams.
6. Potential In-Person Interviews
Ontario may now require in-person interviews for applicants and employers to address concerns about application credibility.
Proposed Stream Consolidation in 2026
Ontario has also proposed a major redesign of its immigration program.
The first phase would merge the three Employer Job Offer streams into one unified stream with multiple tracks.
A later phase could eliminate most existing streams and introduce three new pathways focused on:
Healthcare workers
Entrepreneurs
Exceptional talent
These changes were proposed in late 2025 and are expected to roll out in 2026 and beyond, subject to regulatory approval.
What This Means for Applicants
The increase in the Ontario PNP nomination allocation 2026 signals renewed opportunities for skilled workers and employers seeking provincial nomination. However, with ongoing program restructuring and stricter compliance measures, applicants should stay informed and ensure their profiles meet updated requirements.
If you’re considering applying through Ontario’s Provincial Nominee Program, strategic planning is more important than ever.
Start Your Ontario PNP Application with Confidence
With the increase in the Ontario PNP nomination allocation 2026, now is the time to assess your eligibility and prepare a strong application strategy.
Whether you’re applying as a skilled worker, healthcare professional, or through an employer-supported stream, understanding the latest program changes is critical to success.
Book a consultation with EV Immigration today and let our team guide you through your Ontario PNP pathway step by step.
Your Canadian permanent residence could start here.
