Ontario Provincial Nominee Program Hits 2025 Nomination Limit

The Ontario Provincial Nominee Program (OINP) has officially reached its 2025 nomination allocation, according to an update released on December 17. Ontario confirmed that a total of 10,750 nominations were issued throughout the year, exhausting the province’s annual cap.

Despite reaching its limit, Ontario will continue accepting new applications under the OINP. All pending and newly submitted applications will now be assessed against Ontario’s 2026 nomination allocation.

A provincial nomination does not automatically result in an Invitation to apply for permanent residence. Provinces often issue more invitations than nominations are available to account for refusals, withdrawals, or incomplete applications.

As a result, some applicants who receive invitations at the provincial level may not ultimately secure a nomination, especially during periods of reduced allocation.

What Happens To Applications Submitted Now

At the beginning of 2025, the federal government reduced Provincial Nominee Program allocations for most provinces and territories by 50 percent. Ontario’s allocation dropped sharply from 21,500 nominations in 2024 to 10,750 in 2025.

This reduction led to greater selectivity across OINP streams, with fewer candidates receiving nominations than in previous years.

Applicants can still submit profiles and applications through the OINP system. However, nominations will not be issued until Ontario begins drawing from its 2026 allocation.

The province has advised applicants to monitor their application status through the OINP e-Filing portal.

Processing delays are expected as Ontario transitions between its 2025 and 2026 nomination caps.

OINP Program Changes And Stream Restructuring

Ontario has made several structural changes to its nominee program over the past year. These include the launch of a new Employer Portal and a shift from an applicant-led process to an employer-led intake system for Employer Job Offer streams.

The province also introduced the OINP e-Filing system to centralize application submissions and processing. In December, Ontario announced plans to further restructure the program.

Proposed changes include consolidating the three Employer Job Offer streams into a single stream and eliminating several existing streams. New pathways under consideration include a priority healthcare stream, an entrepreneur stream, and an exceptional talent stream.

Outlook For 2026 Provincial Nominations

The federal Immigration Levels Plan released in November 2025 set a target of 91,500 Provincial Nominee Program admissions for 2026. This represents a 66 percent increase from the previous target of 55,000.

The higher national target has raised expectations that provinces, including Ontario, may receive increased nomination allocations next year, potentially easing selection pressures.

What Applicants Should Do Next

Prospective applicants are encouraged to regularly review official OINP updates and assess their eligibility for enhanced Provincial Nominee Program streams. Staying informed is especially important as Ontario prepares to implement structural changes and new pathways in 2026.

Key Takeaways

Ontario issued all 10,750 available nominations for 2025.
Applications will continue to be accepted but assessed under the 2026 allocation.
Provincial nominations do not guarantee permanent residence invitations.
Federal cuts in 2025 sharply reduced Ontario’s nomination capacity.
Higher federal PNP targets in 2026 may lead to increased allocations.

Ontario’s exhaustion of its 2025 nomination allocation reflects broader federal policy shifts that tightened Provincial Nominee Program quotas nationwide. While applicants can still submit applications, patience will be required as nominations resume under the 2026 allocation.

With higher federal targets already announced for next year, Ontario’s nominee program is expected to remain highly competitive but potentially more flexible as new streams and increased quotas come into effect.