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Next OINP Draw Prediction 2026: Latest Updates & Schedule

Noah Ryan Bennett • 2026-05-15 • Reviewed by Sofia Lindberg

If you are waiting for the next OINP draw, you are not alone. Ontario’s upcoming stream closures and a federal quota increase make mid-2026 a turning point for the program.

Last OINP draw date: April 30, 2026 · Stream closing date: May 30, 2026 · 2026 PNP allocation increase: Federal boost confirmed · Typical draw frequency: Bi-weekly · Latest draw CRS cutoff: 60 (Northern Ontario Foreign Worker)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
  • Stream closures effective May 30, 2026 – likely pause around that date (Nihang Law, analysis)
  • Federal PNP quota increase for 2026 could enable more draws later in the year (IRCC)
4What’s next
  • Possible draw in mid-May before stream closures; targeted draws after May 30 (GoFar Global)
  • Check OINP draw history and points calculator to prepare (Government of Ontario – OINP Draws) (GoFar Global)

Six key data points from official and advisory sources show where the OINP stands today and what may shift in the coming weeks. The pattern: a tightening stream structure, a confirmed April draw, and signals that the next invitation round could be one of the last under the current rules.

Label Value
Last draw date April 30, 2026
Draw type Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker (Northern Ontario)
Minimum score 57
Stream closing May 30, 2026
Federal PNP quota 2026 Increased
CRS prediction for PNP draws 780+

Will there be an OINP draw in 2026?

Yes, Ontario has already conducted draws in January, February, March, and April 2026, according to the Government of Ontario (provincial immigration authority). At least one draw occurred on April 30, 2026. However, the May 30, 2026 stream closure date raises questions about the cadence beyond that point.

Confirmed draw schedule for 2026

  • January 2026: first draws of the year (Government of Ontario)
  • February–March 2026: multiple general and targeted draws (Government of Ontario)
  • April 30, 2026: Employer Job Offer Foreign Worker (Northern Ontario), cutoff 60 (Government of Ontario – OINP Draws)

Impact of stream closures on future draws

According to Nihang Law (Ontario immigration law firm), all nine existing OINP streams may be revoked or overhauled effective May 30, 2026. That means no new invitations can be issued under the current rules after that date. Some streams remain active—those that are not being replaced will likely see a temporary pause while Ontario transitions.

The catch

Even if a draw occurs in mid-May, it will probably be the last under the old stream structure. Applicants who receive an invitation before May 30 must submit their complete application before the deadline to avoid being caught in the transition.

The implication: timing is critical for anyone still eligible under current streams.

When was the last OINP draw?

The most recent confirmed draw took place on April 30, 2026. Here is what we know.

April 30, 2026 draw details

  • Stream: Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker (Northern Ontario) (Government of Ontario – OINP Draws)
  • Minimum score: 57 (Government of Ontario – OINP Draws)
  • Type: Targeted (healthcare and skilled trades focus reported by consultants) (Nihang Law)

Recent draw statistics and cutoff scores

Ontario does not publish a fixed schedule, but historical patterns suggest a bi-weekly rhythm (Government of Ontario). The April 30 draw was the latest in a series that began in January. Invitation thresholds vary widely—stream-specific criteria, occupation filters, and employer location are more decisive than CRS alone (Government of Ontario – OINP Draws).

Bottom line: The last draw confirmed the program is still active, but the next one could be delayed until after May 30. Applicants targeting the current Foreign Worker stream should apply as soon as possible.

The pattern: OINP continues to operate, but the upcoming overhaul injects uncertainty.

How frequent are OINP draws?

Draws typically appear every two weeks, but there are caveats.

Typical OINP draw cycle

  • Bi-weekly cadence from January through April 2026 (Government of Ontario)
  • No fixed published schedule in advance (Government of Ontario – OINP

Factors that affect draw frequency

Quota adjustments, policy updates, and stream restructures all play a role. The federal PNP allocation for 2026 is 10,750 nominations for Ontario (IRCC (federal immigration department)), which is an increase from the previous year. More nominations can support more draws, but the May 30 overhaul may temporarily reduce frequency while new streams are designed.

What to watch

Immigration lawyer analyses from Nihang Law suggest that after the transition, draws may become more targeted at sectors like healthcare and early childhood education.

What this means: frequency may drop in the short term but recover later if the quota is used.

Is the CRS score expected to drop in 2026?

It depends on the stream. OINP uses its own points system, not the CRS, for most draws. For Express Entry-linked streams, the CRS cutoff in PNP-targeted rounds tends to stay high.

CRS trend predictions for 2026

  • Express Entry PNP draws have historically required CRS scores around 780+ (IRCC)
  • OINP’s non-Express Entry streams do not use CRS at all (Government of Ontario – OINP Draws)

How PNP quota increase may affect CRS cutoffs

Higher federal allocations could encourage Ontario to issue more nominations, potentially lowering CRS thresholds for Express Entry-aligned streams. However, as Government of Ontario explains, “Ontario’s draw invitations are not determined by CRS alone; stream-specific criteria, occupation filters, and employer/location filters can affect invitation thresholds.” So a drop is possible but not guaranteed.

Bottom line: For applicants targeting the Employer Job Offer streams, the important number is the stream-specific score (73 is considered competitive Government of Ontario – OINP Draws), not the CRS. The 780+ CRS prediction applies only to Express Entry PNP rounds.

The catch: CRS predictions are unreliable for OINP-specific streams.

Will the PNP quota increase in 2026?

Yes. The federal government set Ontario’s 2026 PNP allocation at 10,750 nominations, as stated in the IRCC (federal immigration department) planning documents. That is an increase from the 2025 allocation, though the exact percentage has not been published in a single source.

Federal 2026 PNP allocation boost

Canada’s immigration levels plan for 2026–2027 raised the overall PNP target, with Ontario receiving a larger slice. The Ontario government acknowledges this increase on its OINP official page but notes that “the size and timing of draw changes still depend on provincial selection strategy.” More nominations mean more draws are possible, but not guaranteed.

How Ontario’s share of the quota is affected

With 10,750 nominations, Ontario has room to expand invitations if it chooses. However, the May 30 stream closures may slow down the invitation rate initially. Secondary advisory sites such as GoFar Global predict that after the transition, draws will become more targeted and sector-specific, which could lead to higher scores in some streams and lower in others.

How to check OINP draw history and prepare for the next draw

Knowing how to monitor draws and assess your score can save weeks of uncertainty. Follow these steps.

  1. Visit the OINP Draws page (Government of Ontario) for official results and cutoff scores.
  2. Use the OINP points calculator (Government of Ontario) to estimate your stream-specific score.
  3. Check if your occupation is listed—recent draws targeted healthcare, early childhood educators, and skilled trades (Nihang Law).
  4. Review the stream eligibility guide for each remaining stream after May 30.
  5. Prepare your documents early; the application window after receiving an NOI is only 45 days.

The implication: proactive preparation is essential given the tight timeline.

Timeline of key OINP events in 2026

  • – First OINP draws of the year announced (Government of Ontario updates).
  • – Multiple general and targeted draws conducted (Government of Ontario updates).
  • – Latest OINP draw: Employer Job Offer Foreign Worker (Northern Ontario), cutoff 60 (Government of Ontario – OINP Draws).
  • – Several Ontario streams close permanently (Nihang Law).
  • – Possible new streams and increased draw frequency due to federal quota hike (IRCC).

The pattern: each milestone narrows the window for current applicants.

What we know vs what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

  • OINP draws occurred in January–April 2026 (Government of Ontario)
  • Streams closing May 30, 2026 (Nihang Law)
  • Federal PNP quota increase for 2026 (IRCC)
  • Last draw date: April 30, 2026 (Government of Ontario – OINP Draws)

What remains unclear

  • Exact date of next draw after April 30, 2026 (Government of Ontario – OINP)
  • Whether new streams will replace closing ones (Nihang Law)
  • Future CRS cutoff levels for OINP-specific streams (Government of Ontario – OINP Draws)

The takeaway: while core facts are settled, timing and replacement streams are not.

Expert perspectives on OINP’s future

“Ontario is updating its 2026 OINP program with changes to the Employer Job Offer stream for physicians and a general overhaul of the stream structure.”

— Government of Ontario, 2026 OINP updates page

“All existing OINP streams may be revoked or overhauled on May 30, 2026. This could create a short-term pause in draw cadence.”

— Nihang Law, OINP changes 2026 analysis

“After the May 30 transition, Ontario draws may become more targeted and sector-specific, especially toward healthcare and skilled trades.”

— GoFar Global, Ontario OINP overhaul 2026

The next few weeks will determine whether Ontario issues invitations before the stream overhaul. For applicants still eligible under current streams, the window is tight. For those waiting for new streams, the rest of 2026 could bring expanded opportunities—provided the federal quota increase is used to support more draws. The choice for Ontario is clear: either use the remaining weeks to clear out nominations under old rules, or pace them out after the transition. For applicants in healthcare and trades, the implication is equally direct: keep your documents ready, because the next draw—if it comes—will move fast.

Additional sources

youtube.com

For a detailed breakdown of expected dates and scores, check out the next OINP draw prediction on North Review.

Frequently asked questions

When is the next OINP draw expected?

Based on the typical bi-weekly cadence, the next draw could come around mid-May 2026, before the May 30 stream closures. However, the government does not publish a fixed schedule. If no draw occurs before the closures, there may be a pause while new streams are established.

How do I check my OINP score?

Use the OINP points calculator (Government of Ontario) to estimate your stream-specific score. Each stream has different criteria—the calculator accounts for factors like job offer location, wage level, and work experience.

What streams will remain after May 30, 2026?

At this point, the Ontario government has signaled that all nine existing streams may be replaced or revoked. Some new streams may be announced after May 30. Check the 2026 OINP updates page for official announcements.

How does the PNP quota increase affect OINP draws?

The federal increase to 10,750 nominations for Ontario gives the province more room to issue invitations. If Ontario chooses to use the full allocation, draw frequency could increase later in 2026, especially if new streams are introduced.

Can I still apply after a stream closes?

If a stream closes on May 30, 2026, new applications under that stream will no longer be accepted. However, if you have already received an invitation (Notification of Interest) before the closure, you may still submit a complete application within the 45-day window. Always verify with official OINP guidelines.

What is the difference between OINP and Express Entry?

OINP is a provincial nominee program—Ontario selects candidates based on its own criteria. Express Entry is the federal pool. OINP has streams that are aligned with Express Entry (where a nomination adds 600 CRS points) and streams that are not (where candidates apply directly to Ontario). The CRS cutoff for Express Entry PNP rounds is typically around 780+.

How often does OINP update its draw history?

The OINP Draws page is updated after each draw, usually within a few business days. Past draws are archived on that page. There is no automatic notification—check the page regularly or set up RSS alerts.

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Noah Ryan Bennett

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Noah Ryan Bennett

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