Ontario issues ITAs to foreign workers & international graduates, i.e., the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) held a targeted draw on February 18, 2026. In this round, the province issued invitations to apply (ITAs) to candidates working in skilled trades occupations through its Employer Job Offer streams.
To receive an invitation, candidates had to confirm that they were living in Canada with a valid work or study permit at the time of the draw.
This marks Ontario’s second nomination round of 2026. The first set of draws took place earlier in the same month.
Draw Summary
In total, the OINP issued 1,404 ITAs across two Employer: Job Offer streams. These included:
- The Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream
- The Employer Job Offer: International Student stream
The minimum score and number of invitations differed between the two streams:
| Stream | Minimum Score | Invitations Issued | Notes |
| Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker | 50 | 951 | Targeted draw for skilled trades-related occupations |
| Employer Job Offer: International Student | 80 | 453 | Targeted draw for skilled trades-related occupations |
Ontario reviewed profiles created between July 2, 2025, and February 16, 2026. Eligible profiles also needed to be created and supported by a qualifying employer job offer by February 16, 2026 (11:59 p.m.).
Which Occupations (NOC Codes) Were Targeted?
Eligible Skilled Trades-Related Occupations
Candidates needed a job offer in one of the following National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes to be invited in this draw:
- NOC 72010 – Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations
- NOC 72011 – Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations
- NOC 72012 – Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades
- NOC 72013 – Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades
- NOC 72014 – Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers
- NOC 72020 – Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades
- NOC 72021 – Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews
- NOC 72022 – Supervisors, printing and related occupations
- NOC 72023 – Supervisors, railway transport operations
- NOC 72025 – Supervisors, mail and message distribution occupations
- NOC 72100 – Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors
- NOC 72101 – Tool and die makers
- NOC 72102 – Sheet metal workers
- NOC 72103 – Boilermakers
- NOC 72104 – Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters
- NOC 72105 – Ironworkers
- NOC 72106 – Welders and related machine operators
- NOC 72200 – Electricians (except industrial and power system)
- NOC 72201 – Industrial electricians
- NOC 72202 – Power system electricians
- NOC 72203 – Electrical power line and cable workers
- NOC 72204 – Telecommunications line and cable installers and repairers
- NOC 72205 – Telecommunications equipment installation and cable television service technicians
- NOC 72300 – Plumbers
- NOC 72301 – Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers
- NOC 72302 – Gas fitters
- NOC 72310 – Carpenters
- NOC 72311 – Cabinetmakers
- NOC 72320 – Bricklayers
- NOC 72321 – Insulators
- NOC 72400 – Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics
- NOC 72401 – Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
- NOC 72402 – Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics
- NOC 72403 – Railway carmen/women
- NOC 72404 – Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors
- NOC 72405 – Machine fitters
- NOC 72406 – Elevator constructors and mechanics
- NOC 72410 – Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers
- NOC 72411 – Auto body collision, refinishing and glass technicians and damage repair estimators
- NOC 72420 – Oil and solid fuel heating mechanics
- NOC 72421 – Appliance servicers and repairers
- NOC 72422 – Electrical mechanics
- NOC 72423 – Motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle and other related mechanics
- NOC 72429 – Other small engine and small equipment repairers
- NOC 72500 – Crane operators
- NOC 72501 – Water well drillers
- NOC 72999 – Other technical trades and related occupations
- NOC 73100 – Concrete finishers
- NOC 73101 – Tilesetters
- NOC 73102 – Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers
- NOC 73110 – Roofers and shinglers
- NOC 73111 – Glaziers
- NOC 73112 – Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)
- NOC 73113 – Floor covering installers
- NOC 73200 – Residential and commercial installers and servicers
- NOC 73201 – General maintenance workers and building superintendents
- NOC 73202 – Pest controllers and fumigators
- NOC 73209 – Other repairers and servicers
- NOC 73301 – Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators
- NOC 73310 – Railway and yard locomotive engineers
- NOC 73311 – Railway conductors and brakemen/women
- NOC 73400 – Heavy equipment operators
- NOC 73401 – Printing press operators
- NOC 73402 – Drillers and blasters – surface mining, quarrying and construction
- NOC 82010 – Supervisors, logging and forestry
- NOC 82020 – Supervisors, mining and quarrying
- NOC 82021 – Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services
- NOC 82030 – Agricultural service contractors, farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers
- NOC 82031 – Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services
- NOC 83100 – Underground production and development miners
- NOC 83101 – Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers
- NOC 83110 – Logging machinery operators
- NOC 83120 – Fishing masters and officers
- NOC 83121 – Fishermen/women
- NOC 93100 – Central control and process operators, mineral and metal processing
- NOC 93101 – Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing
- NOC 93102 – Pulping, papermaking and coating control operators
What Happens Next?
Employers of selected candidates must now review the official employer guide. They are required to submit a complete application for approval of the employment position within 14 calendar days from the date of invitation.
At the same time, invited candidates must submit their OINP application within 17 calendar days after receiving the ITA.
After obtaining a provincial nomination from Ontario, successful nominees can then apply to the federal government for permanent residence (PR).
Skilled Trades Stream Closure
Ontario’s focus on skilled trades in this draw comes after the closure of the OINP Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream.
The stream was suspended in November 2025. The province stated that the decision was due to concerns about systematic misrepresentation.
Ontario also stopped accepting new applications under this pathway. The province confirmed that pending applications would be returned and fees refunded. However, no timeline has been provided for a possible reopening.
Candidates affected by the closure may still seek nomination through other OINP streams, either enhanced or base. Many may also consider the federal Express Entry Trade category as another possible pathway.
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