OINP Foreign Worker Stream: August 2025 Draw Requires Minimum Score of 53

151 Invitations issued under the Foreign Worker Stream on August 28, 2025:

• 94 invitations for candidates with job offers in Northern Ontario (score 53+).
  

• 57 invitations under the Regional Economic Development Initiative (REDI) (score 45+).
  

Ontario’s Commitment to Skilled Workers

As a regulated Canadian immigration consultant, I often explain to clients that provincial draws are not merely statistics—they are signals of policy direction and opportunity. The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) continues to stand out because of its ability to adapt and target labour shortages where they are felt the most.

The August 28, 2025 draw is a prime example. After nearly three months without Employer Job Offer rounds, Ontario came back with a sharper focus: strengthening Northern Ontario’s workforce and uplifting regions that need long-term economic stability. For skilled workers with permanent job offers, this draw is not only a doorway to permanent residency—it’s a career lifeline and a settlement pathway into communities where their contributions matter.

Key Numbers: August 28 Draw at a Glance

Source: Ontario.ca OINP Updates (August 2025)

Major Factors For OINP Foreign Worker Stream Draw

1. A Regional Lifeline

In June 2025, OINP held a massive multi-stream draw with nearly 1,000 invitations dedicated to Northern Ontario. The August draw, although smaller in size, demonstrates continuity: Ontario is committed to strengthening its less-populated regions rather than reverting to Toronto-centric selection.

2. More Accessible Scores

The minimum score thresholds—53+ for Northern Ontario and 45+ for REDI—are relatively attainable, compared to CRS benchmarks in Express Entry. For workers already in Ontario on valid permits, this offers a far more practical route to permanent residency.

3. Targeting Labour Shortages Directly

Healthcare staff in Thunder Bay, skilled trades in Sudbury, and service sector employees in Timmins—all benefit from these invitations. Ontario isn’t just filling numbers; it is plugging real shortages with candidates already embedded in communities.

Steps After Receiving ITA: 

Many fresh applicants ask: “What happens after an invitation?” Here’s a professional breakdown:

1. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI):
   

• Create your profile in the OINP portal.
  

• Indicate your job offer, NOC, and location (Northern Ontario or other eligible region).
  

• EOIs are scored based on job type, wage, location, and applicant factors.
  

2. Wait for Draw and Receive ITA:
   

• If your score meets or exceeds the threshold, you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in the Foreign Worker Stream.
  

3. Employer Form Deadline:
   

• Your employer must submit the required Employer Form within 14 calendar days of your ITA. This validates the job offer.
  

4. Application Submission Deadline:
   

• You, the applicant, must complete your full OINP application within 17 calendar days of receiving the ITA. This includes proof of employment, job offer letter, identity documents, and—if applicable—licensing requirements (e.g., regulated healthcare or trades).
  

5. Nomination & Federal Stage:
   

• Successful applications receive a Nomination Certificate.
  

• If linked to Express Entry, this adds 600 CRS points, guaranteeing an invitation in the next federal round.
  

• Non-Express Entry nominees apply directly to IRCC for permanent residency.
  

6. Maintain Legal Status:
   

• At all stages, maintain valid temporary resident status (e.g., work permit). OINP requires updates if you change jobs or addresses.
  

Steps To Increase Chances Of Receiving An ITA

• Check Your Employer’s Eligibility: Job offers must be full-time, permanent, and meet wage standards for the NOC. The employer must also have been actively operating for a set period and demonstrate compliance with Ontario labour laws.
  

• Know Your NOC: Skilled positions in TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3 are prioritised. However, In-Demand Skills Stream (TEER 4–5) is also supported if the role matches Ontario’s critical shortage list.
  

• Prepare Documentation in Advance: Certificates, licences, translations, and employer forms should be ready well before an ITA. Missing the 14- or 17-day deadlines can disqualify an otherwise eligible application.
  

• Leverage Regional Advantage: If you are already working in Northern Ontario, highlight this. Settlement ties—like community involvement or family in the area—can strengthen your EOI score.
  

• Stay Updated: OINP updates streams regularly. Being proactive—rather than waiting passively—improves your chances.
  

Final Thoughts

The August 2025 Foreign Worker Stream draw wasn’t about scale—it was about precision. Ontario is reinforcing its intent to grow its economy outside traditional hubs and to give foreign workers a fair shot at permanency where they are needed most.

For temporary foreign workers and employer-supported applicants, this is more than a policy—it’s an invitation to stability, contribution, and long-term settlement.

As a Canadian immigration consultant, our professional advice is simple: treat these regional draws as opportunities to showcase not just your skillset, but your commitment to communities that need you.