By VG Immigration Services Inc. | Published February 2, 2026 at 4:12 PM EST
Major Update: OINP Resumes Invitations After 2-Month Pause
After issuing zero invitations throughout January 2026, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) conducted its first invitation rounds of 2026 today, February 2, 2026, issuing a total of 1,825 invitations to apply (ITAs) across three targeted draws under the Employer Job Offer streams. This marks a significant resumption of Ontario’s provincial nomination activity and provides critical opportunities for healthcare professionals, physicians, early childhood educators, and candidates in regional Ontario communities.
At VG Immigration Services Inc., recognized as the best immigration consultant in Canada and top immigration company in Brampton and the GTA, we’re providing real-time analysis and application support for candidates who received invitations today. With 14-day employer deadlines and 17-day applicant deadlines, time-sensitive action is required.
Today’s three targeted draws included:
- 129 invitations for Physicians (NOC 31100, 31101, 31102) under Foreign Worker stream
- 47 invitations for REDI candidates (Regional Economic Development through Immigration) across Foreign Worker, International Student, and In-Demand Skills streams
- 1,649 invitations for Healthcare Occupations and Early Childhood Educators under Foreign Worker and International Student streams
This comprehensive guide—prepared by Canada’s best immigration consultants—breaks down each draw, eligible NOC codes, score ranges, application procedures, and strategic advice for candidates who received ITAs and those preparing for future rounds.
Contact VG Immigration Services for urgent OINP application support, or book an emergency consultation with our refused visa specialists if you need help meeting the 14/17-day deadlines.
Draw #1: Physicians Invited Under Foreign Worker Stream (129 ITAs)
Draw Details
Date Issued: February 2, 2026
Stream: Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker
Number of Invitations: 129
Score Range: 33 and above
Profile Creation Deadline: January 28, 2026, 11:59 PM
Eligible Physician NOC Codes
Only candidates with job offers in the following three physician NOC codes received invitations:
| NOC Code | Occupation Title |
|---|---|
| 31100 | Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine |
| 31101 | Specialists in surgery |
| 31102 | General practitioners and family physicians |
Context: January 5, 2026 Physician Eligibility Expansion
This physician-targeted draw follows the January 5, 2026 program update that expanded eligibility for self-employed physicians under the Foreign Worker stream.
✅ Provisional certificate holders now eligible — Physicians holding a provisional certificate of registration from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) can now apply as self-employed, provided they:
- Are members in good standing with CPSO
- Hold an OHIP billing number
- Work under NOC codes 31100, 31101, or 31102
❌ Postgraduate license removed — Physicians with only postgraduate education licenses are no longer eligible as self-employed because they cannot obtain OHIP billing numbers
- However, postgraduate license-holders may still qualify through traditional employer-sponsored applications if they have job offers from Ontario employers
Why This Matters:
The January 5 regulatory change broadened access for internationally educated physicians (IEPs) working in Ontario with provisional certificates and OHIP billing numbers. Today’s 129 physician invitations represent Ontario’s commitment to addressing healthcare workforce shortages by nominating practicing physicians, including those in self-employed arrangements.
Score Analysis:
The 33-point minimum for physicians is significantly lower than typical Foreign Worker draws (which often require 40-50+ points), reflecting Ontario’s urgent need for medical professionals.
Draw #2: Regional Economic Development (REDI) Candidates (47 ITAs)
Draw Details
Date Issued: February 2, 2026
Streams: Foreign Worker, International Student, and In-Demand Skills
Number of Invitations: 47
Targeted Communities: Lanark, and Leeds and Grenville (Census Divisions)
Profile Creation Deadline: January 28, 2026, 11:59 PM
Score Ranges by Stream
| Stream | Minimum Score |
|---|---|
| Foreign Worker | 44 and above |
| International Student | 69 and above |
| In-Demand Skills | 34 and above |
Eligible NOC Codes – Foreign Worker Stream
| NOC Code | Occupation Title |
|---|---|
| 12200 | Accounting technicians and bookkeepers |
| 21222 | Information systems specialists |
| 21231 | Software engineers and designers |
| 31301 | Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses |
| 33102 | Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates |
| 42202 | Early childhood educators and assistants |
Eligible NOC Codes – International Student Stream
| NOC Code | Occupation Title |
|---|---|
| 12111 | Health information management occupations |
| 12200 | Accounting technicians and bookkeepers |
| 13111 | Legal administrative assistants |
| 22232 | Occupational health and safety specialists |
| 22310 | Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians |
| 32101 | Licensed practical nurses |
| 33102 | Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates |
| 33103 | Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants |
| 42201 | Social and community service workers |
| 42202 | Early childhood educators and assistants |
| 52120 | Graphic designers and illustrators |
Eligible NOC Codes – In-Demand Skills Stream
| NOC Code | Occupation Title |
|---|---|
| 44101 | Home support workers, housekeepers and related occupations |
| 75101 | Material handlers |
| 94100 | Machine operators, mineral and metal processing |
| 94111 | Plastics processing machine operators |
| 94140 | Process control and machine operators, food and beverage processing |
What is REDI?
The Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) pilot targets specific smaller Ontario communities experiencing labour shortages outside the Greater Toronto Area. Today’s draw focused on:
- Lanark County (including Perth, Carleton Place, Smiths Falls)
- Leeds and Grenville (including Brockville, Gananoque, Prescott)
Why REDI Matters:
REDI draws consistently have lower score thresholds than GTA-focused draws:
- Foreign Worker: 44 points (vs. 49+ in typical draws)
- International Student: 69 points (vs. 73-77+ in typical draws)
- In-Demand Skills: 34 points (comparable to regional draws)
If you work in Lanark, Leeds and Grenville, or other REDI-eligible communities, your pathway to provincial nomination is significantly more accessible.
Draw #3: Healthcare Occupations & Early Childhood Educators (1,649 ITAs)
Draw Details
Date Issued: February 2, 2026
Streams: Foreign Worker and International Student
Number of Invitations: 1,649
Profile Creation Deadline: January 28, 2026, 11:59 PM
Score Ranges
| Stream | Minimum Score |
|---|---|
| Foreign Worker | 36 and above |
| International Student | 56 and above |
Eligible Healthcare NOC Codes
| NOC Code | Occupation Title |
|---|---|
| 31300 | Nursing co-ordinators and supervisors |
| 31301 | Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses |
| 31302 | Nurse practitioners |
| 31303 | Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals |
| 32101 | Licensed practical nurses |
| 33102 | Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates |
| 42202 | Early childhood educators and assistants |
Why This Draw is Significant
1,649 invitations represent the largest single draw in today’s rounds and demonstrate Ontario’s continued prioritization of healthcare workers and early childhood educators.
Score Analysis:
- Foreign Worker: 36 points minimum — Among the lowest scores seen in 2025 healthcare draws (typically 38-50+ points)
- International Student: 56 points minimum — Significantly lower than typical International Student draws (usually 65-77+ points)
This indicates urgent demand for healthcare professionals and ECEs, with Ontario willing to invite candidates with lower EOI scores than usual.
Occupation Breakdown:
- Nursing coordinators/supervisors (31300)
- Registered nurses/RNs (31301) — Highest demand
- Nurse practitioners (31302)
- Physician assistants, midwives (31303)
- Licensed practical nurses/LPNs (32101)
- Nurse aides, orderlies, PSWs (33102) — High volume occupation
- ECEs and assistants (42202) — Consistent priority across multiple draws
Critical Application Deadlines: 14 and 17 Days
Employer Portal Requirement
Important: As of July 2, 2025, all Employer Job Offer stream applications require employers to submit job offers through the OINP Employer Portal.
Timeline for Candidates Who Received ITAs Today
Step 1: Employer Submission (14 Calendar Days)
- Deadline: February 16, 2026, 11:59 PM EST
- Your employer must submit the application for approval of an employment position through the Employer Portal
- Both you and your employer receive email notifications when your EOI is selected
Step 2: Candidate Application (17 Calendar Days)
- Deadline: February 19, 2026, 11:59 PM EST
- You must submit your complete OINP application and payment through the e-Filing Portal
- Log in and click the newly created file number with prefix JOXX
- Your EOI file number (EOI-JOXX-XXXXXX) will be greyed out — this is normal, not an error
What “Complete Application” Means
✅ All required forms completed accurately
✅ Employer documentation submitted through Employer Portal
✅ Supporting documents: education credentials, work experience letters, job offer, language tests, identity documents
✅ Application fee payment
✅ Digital signatures and declarations
Common Deadline Failures:
❌ Waiting for employer to prepare documents — Employer Portal applications take time; start immediately
❌ Missing certified translations — Non-English/French documents require certified translations
❌ Outdated language test results — IELTS/CELPIP/TEF results must be valid
❌ Incomplete work experience letters — Must include specific job duties, hours, salary, supervisor information
Eligibility Verification: Did You Receive an ITA?
How to Check
- Log in to your OINP e-Filing Portal account
- Check for email notification from OINP
- Look for a new file number with prefix JOXX
- Your original EOI file number (EOI-JOXX-XXXXXX) will be greyed out
Profile Creation Deadline
Only candidates whose EOI profiles were created and attested by January 28, 2026, 11:59 PM were eligible for today’s draws.
If your profile was created after January 28, you were not eligible for today’s invitations but will be considered in future draws.
If You Received an ITA
You do NOT need to contact OINP. Follow the application instructions:
- Review the Employer Job Offer stream page for your stream
- Review the document checklist
- Coordinate with your employer for Employer Portal submission (14-day deadline)
- Prepare and submit your application (17-day deadline)
Strategic Analysis: What Today’s Draws Tell Us About 2026 OINP Trends
1. Healthcare Remains Top Priority
1,778 of 1,825 total invitations (97.4%) targeted healthcare occupations across all three draws:
- Physicians: 129
- REDI healthcare NOCs: included RNs, nurse aides
- General healthcare draw: 1,649
Ontario’s healthcare workforce shortages continue to dominate OINP selection.
2. Lower Score Thresholds Than 2025
Today’s scores were notably lower than typical 2025 draws:
| Stream | Today’s Score | Typical 2025 Score |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign Worker (healthcare) | 36 | 38-50 |
| International Student (healthcare) | 56 | 65-77 |
| Foreign Worker (physicians) | 33 | N/A (new category) |
This suggests Ontario is expanding eligibility to meet labour market needs.
3. Regional Ontario Continues to Receive Priority
REDI draws offer substantially lower scores:
- Foreign Worker: 44 (vs. 49+ in GTA)
- International Student: 69 (vs. 73-77+ in GTA)
If you’re willing to work in Lanark, Leeds and Grenville, or other regional communities, your chances increase significantly.
4. Self-Employed Physicians Now Viable Pathway
The January 5 regulatory change allowing provisional certificate holders with OHIP billing numbers to apply as self-employed creates a new pathway for internationally educated physicians.
5. Employer Portal is Mandatory
All candidates must have employers who can submit through the Employer Portal. This adds a coordination layer that can cause delays if employers are unfamiliar with the system.
VG Immigration Services: Emergency OINP Application Support
Urgent Services for February 2 ITA Recipients
14-Day Employer Portal Support:
- Employer Portal account setup and navigation
- Job offer documentation preparation
- Employment position application submission
- Employer verification support
17-Day Candidate Application Services:
- Complete OINP application preparation
- Document collection, certification, translation
- Form completion and review
- e-Filing Portal submission
- Payment processing
Our Track Record:
✅ 100% on-time submission rate for OINP deadlines
✅ 95%+ approval rate for OINP applications
✅ Specialized healthcare professional applications (RNs, LPNs, PSWs, physicians)
✅ REDI community expertise (regional Ontario employer connections)
Didn’t Receive an ITA? Prepare for Next Draw
EOI Profile Optimization:
- Score audit and improvement strategy
- Language test guidance (targeting CLB 9+)
- Credential assessment coordination
- Job offer facilitation (healthcare and regional Ontario)
Regional Relocation Strategy:
- Employer connections in Lanark, Leeds and Grenville, and other REDI communities
- Housing and settlement support
- Licensing/certification navigation (nursing, ECE, trades)
Contact VG Immigration Services: Ontario’s OINP Specialists
Emergency Contact for February 2 ITA Recipients:
📧 Email: immigration@vgis.ca
📞 Phone: +1 (416) 578-9269
📍 Office: Serving Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Greater Toronto Area, and Regional Ontario
Book Your Urgent Consultation:
✅ Same-day consultations available for February 2 ITA recipients
✅ 14-day Employer Portal rush service (guaranteed on-time submission)
✅ 17-day complete application package (all documents prepared, certified, submitted)
✅ Healthcare professional specialists (RNs, LPNs, physicians, PSWs, ECEs)
✅ Regional Ontario expertise (REDI community employers and settlement)
Conclusion: Ontario’s 2026 Immigration Strategy Takes Shape
Today’s 1,825 invitations signal Ontario’s 2026 priorities: healthcare workforce expansion, physician recruitment, and regional economic development. With score thresholds lower than typical 2025 draws and new pathways for self-employed physicians, Ontario is demonstrating flexibility to meet urgent labour market needs.
For candidates who received ITAs today, the next 14-17 days are critical. Employer Portal coordination, document preparation, and timely submission determine success. For those still waiting, today’s draws provide valuable insights: healthcare occupations, regional positions, and strong EOI scores remain the pathway to Ontario provincial nomination.
Working with RCIC-certified immigration consultants like VG Immigration Services—Canada’s best immigration company—ensures you meet deadlines, submit complete applications, and maximize approval chances in Ontario’s competitive OINP system.
If you received an ITA today, contact VG Immigration Services immediately. Don’t risk missing your 14/17-day deadlines.
👉 Book an emergency OINP consultation (same-day availability)
👉 Get Employer Portal support for your employer
👉 Submit a complete application within 17 days
👉 Work with Ontario’s best immigration consultants
VG Immigration Services Inc. — Your trusted partner for OINP success in 2026.