OINP March 18, 2026 Draw: 1,243 Invitations Issued Across 3 Categories, Masters Graduate Stream Returns
- 14 hours ago
- 4 min read
Ontario conducted a major OINP draw on March 18, 2026, issuing a total of 1,243 invitations across multiple immigration streams.
Beyond the numbers, one key highlight stands out: the return of the Masters Graduate Stream after a long pause. This draw provides important insight into who Ontario is prioritizing and how the immigration landscape is evolving. Despite the recently announced upcoming overhaul on the OINP programs, this draw gives us some insight into what may be on the horizon.
Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream (Physicians)
Ontario issued 97 invitations to physicians under the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream.
Key Details
Minimum score: 36 and above
Target group: Physicians
Profile deadline: March 16, 2026
Eligible Occupations
NOC 31100 – Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
NOC 31101 – Specialists in surgery
NOC 31102 – General practitioners and family physicians
This draw clearly targets critical healthcare shortages across the province, particularly in specialized and primary care.
REDI Pilot Draw (Regional Immigration)
Ontario also issued 39 invitations under the Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) pilot.
This draw focuses on candidates working in Lanark, Leeds, and Grenville, reinforcing Ontario’s push toward regional immigration.
Score Cut-Offs
Foreign Worker stream: 47 and above
International Student stream: 61 and above
In-Demand Skills stream: 30 and above
Foreign Worker Stream Occupations
NOC 11100 – Financial auditors and accountants
NOC 22302 – Industrial engineering technologists and technicians
NOC 32104 – Veterinary technicians
NOC 33102 – Nurse aides and patient service associates
NOC 72302 – Gas fitters
NOC 72410 – Automotive service technicians and mechanics
International Student Stream Occupations
NOC 33102 – Nurse aides and patient service associates
NOC 42201 – Social and community service workers
NOC 42202 – Early childhood educators and assistants
NOC 70010 – Construction managers
NOC 72100 – Machinists
NOC 73202 – Pest controllers
In-Demand Skills Stream Occupations
NOC 44101 – Home support workers and related occupations
NOC 94100 – Machine operators in mineral and metal processing
NOC 94111 – Plastics processing machine operators
NOC 94140 – Food and beverage processing operators
NOC 94201 – Electronics assemblers and inspectors
NOC 95106 – Labourers in food and beverage processing
This pilot highlights Ontario’s increasing focus on distributing immigration beyond major urban centers.
Masters Graduate and PhD Graduate Streams
Ontario issued:
582 invitations under the Masters Graduate stream
525 invitations under the PhD Graduate stream
This marks a notable return of the Masters Graduate stream, which had not seen invitations in some time.
Masters Graduate Stream
Key Details
Minimum score: 30 and above
Applicants must be residing in Canada with valid status
Canadian work experience in targeted occupations is now required
This represents a significant shift, as the stream traditionally did not emphasize employment to this extent.
Sample Occupations Targeted
Management and Business
Human resources managers
Banking and investment managers
Administrative officers
Technology and Engineering
Information systems specialists
Computer engineers
Engineering managers
Healthcare
Registered nurses
Pharmacists
Physiotherapists
Education and Social Services
Post-secondary administrators
Social service managers
Trades and Supervisory Roles
Construction managers
Maintenance supervisors
The inclusion of specific occupations shows a clear move toward labour market alignment.
PhD Graduate Stream
Key Details
Minimum score: 49 and above
Requires Canadian work experience in advanced and specialized occupations
Sample Occupations Targeted
Technology and STEM
Data scientists
Cybersecurity specialists
Software engineers
Engineering
Civil engineers
Electrical engineers
Research and Academia
University professors
Policy researchers and analysts
Ontario is prioritizing highly skilled candidates who contribute to research, innovation, and advanced industries.
Why This Draw Matters
This is not just another routine draw.
Return of the Masters Graduate Stream
After a long pause, Ontario issued 582 invitations under this stream. However, it now includes a stronger focus on employment and occupation-specific experience.
Strong Shift Toward Job-Based Selection
Across all streams, there is a clear emphasis on:
Work experience
Job offers
Specific occupations
Highly Targeted Invitations
This draw focused on:
Healthcare professionals
Regional workers
Highly skilled graduates
Ontario is becoming increasingly strategic in how it selects candidates.
What to Do If You Received an Invitation
For Employer Job Offer streams:
Submit your application within 17 calendar days
Your employer must submit required documents within 14 days
For Masters and PhD streams:
Submit your application within 14 calendar days
All applicants must:
Log into the OINP e-Filing Portal
Upload required documents
Pay the application fee
What This Means for You
If you qualify under any of these streams, this is a strong opportunity to apply.
This is particularly important for:
Masters graduates
PhD candidates
Skilled workers with job offers
This draw comes at a time when Ontario is preparing for major program changes.
Upcoming Changes to OINP
Ontario has already announced that significant changes to the OINP are expected in 2026, including updates to stream structures and selection criteria.
Some existing pathways may be removed or restructured, with a stronger focus on employment and labour market needs. You can read our full breakdown of these upcoming changes here.
Need Help With Your OINP Application
If you received an invitation or want to position yourself for future draws, having the right strategy is critical.
At InfoPlace Canada, we focus on helping clients navigate changing immigration policies and submit strong, well-prepared applications. Contact our team today to get started.
Ask@infoplacecanada.ca or +1-519-900-0199
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