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Ontario PNP Hits Its Nomination Allocation Limit
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has officially exhausted its full nomination quota for 2025, according to a program update released on December 17.
Ontario confirmed that it issued a total of 10,750 provincial nominations throughout 2025, fully utilizing the allocation granted by the federal government.
What This Means for OINP Applicants
Although Ontario has reached its nomination limit for 2025, the province has clarified that it will continue to accept and process applications under the OINP. This includes:
- New applications submitted to the program
- Applications already under assessment
However, all eligible applications approved from this point onward will be counted under Ontario’s 2026 nomination allocation, not the 2025 quota.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to regularly check the OINP e-Filing portal for the latest updates on their application status. As Ontario transitions to the next year’s allocation, some candidates may experience delays in receiving nomination decisions.
It is also important to understand that a provincial nomination is different from an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Provinces often issue more invitations than available nominations to account for applications that may be withdrawn or refused during processing.
Key OINP Changes Throughout 2025
At the start of 2025, the federal government reduced nomination allocations for most provinces and territories by 50%, forcing jurisdictions to become more selective in choosing candidates.
In June, Ontario confirmed that its total allocation for the year had been reduced to 10,750 nominations, down sharply from 21,500 nominations in 2024.
To adapt to these changes, Ontario implemented several major program updates during the year. The province introduced an online Employer Portal and shifted its Employer Job Offer streams from an applicant-led model to an employer-led intake process. Additionally, the OINP launched its e-Filing system to streamline application submissions and communication.
Proposed OINP Overhaul Announced in December
In December, Ontario unveiled plans for a significant restructuring of its Provincial Nominee Program. The proposal includes consolidating the three existing Employer Job Offer streams into a single unified stream, while discontinuing other current streams.
The province also announced plans to introduce new targeted pathways, including:
- A priority healthcare stream
- An entrepreneur stream
- An exceptional talent stream
These proposed changes are aimed at aligning Ontario’s immigration program more closely with labour market needs and economic priorities.
Outlook for 2026
Looking ahead, the federal government’s latest Immigration Levels Plan, announced in November 2025, set a target of 91,500 provincial nominee admissions for 2026. This represents a 66% increase from the previous target of 55,000 admissions.
With this significant increase, many expect provinces including Ontario to receive higher nomination allocations in 2026, potentially easing competition for provincial nominations in the coming year.