Ontario Invites 997 Candidates in Latest PNP Draw for GTA
Ontario PNP Draw – April 30, 2026
Ontario has conducted a new draw under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) on April 30, 2026, inviting 997 candidates to apply for permanent residence.
This draw specifically targeted candidates who have job offers in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and are currently residing in Canada.
Streams Included in This Draw
To begin with, this round focused only on two Employer Job Offer streams:
- Foreign Worker Stream
- International Student Stream
However, unlike some previous draws, the In-Demand Skills stream was not included, which limited eligibility for certain occupations.
GTA-Focused Draw: What It Means
Unlike earlier regional draws, this one was exclusively for the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
The GTA includes major regions such as:
- Toronto
- Peel (Mississauga, Brampton)
- York (Markham, Vaughan, Richmond Hill)
- Durham
- Halton
As a result, candidates with job offers outside these regions were not eligible for this round.
Number of Invitations Issued
In total, 997 invitations were issued, divided as follows:
- Foreign Worker Stream: 720 invitations
- International Student Stream: 277 invitations
This marks the first GTA-specific draw since March 2026, showing renewed focus on this region.
Minimum Score Requirements
Moving on to the score requirements:
- Foreign Worker Stream: Minimum score of 57
- International Student Stream: Minimum score of 81
Interestingly, these scores are lower than previous draws, making this round comparatively more accessible.
Comparison with Previous Draws
For context, the April 23 regional draws had higher cut-offs:
- Foreign Worker: 60–63
- International Student: 84–87
Therefore, the April 30 draw reflects a drop in score requirements, especially for GTA candidates.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for this draw, candidates needed to meet several conditions:
- Must be living in Canada
- Must hold a valid work or study permit
- Must have a job offer from a GTA-based employer
- Must have created an EOI profile before April 28, 2026
Additionally, the employer must be registered with the OINP system and meet all program requirements.
Occupations Targeted in This Draw
This draw covered a wide range of high-demand occupations, including:
- Technology: Software developers, IT specialists
- Healthcare: Doctors, nurses, pharmacists
- Management roles: HR managers, engineering managers
- Construction & trades: Construction managers, carpenters
- Education & administration roles
This highlights Ontario’s continued focus on skilled professionals across key sectors.
Who Was Not Eligible?
Since the In-Demand Skills stream was excluded, candidates in lower-skilled occupations (TEER 4 & 5) were not considered.
This includes roles such as:
- Labourers
- Machine operators
- Support workers
As a result, eligibility was limited to more skilled and professional roles.
What to Do After Receiving an Invitation
Candidates who received an invitation must act quickly.
- Employers must submit their application within 14 days
- Candidates must submit their complete application within 17 days
It is important to note that these deadlines are strict and cannot be extended.
Why This Draw Matters
This draw is significant for several reasons:
- The GTA is usually highly competitive, yet the scores were relatively low
- It indicates that Ontario may be clearing backlogs
- It provides an opportunity for candidates with job offers but lower CRS scores
Therefore, this draw could benefit many candidates who may not qualify through Express Entry.
April 2026: A Record-Breaking Month
So far, Ontario has issued over 8,000 invitations in April 2026, making it the busiest month in OINP history.
Multiple draws were conducted throughout the month, targeting different sectors and regions.
Important Update: Program Changes Ahead
Looking ahead, Ontario is expected to redesign its immigration program on May 30, 2026.
This means that the current streams and selection criteria may change.
As a result, this draw could be one of the last opportunities under the existing system.
Key Takeaways
- 997 invitations issued under OINP
- Draw limited to GTA candidates only
- Only Foreign Worker & International Student streams included
- Lower score requirements compared to previous draws
- In-Demand Skills stream excluded
- Strict deadlines: 14 days (employer) & 17 days (candidate)
Final Thoughts
The April 30, 2026 OINP draw offers a valuable opportunity for candidates with job offers in the GTA.
With lower score requirements and a high number of invitations, eligible candidates should act quickly and ensure all documents are ready.
At the same time, with upcoming program changes, staying updated with OINP announcements is more important than ever.
Get in touch with SPS Global
Receive advice on any of your questions regarding immigration. Get in touch with us, experienced immigration consultants from SPS Global. For additional information, contact support@spscanada.com (Canada) or support.amd@spscanada.com (Ahmedabad), or by phone at (1) 905-362-9393 (Canada) or +919586226232 (Ahmedabad).
