Last Updated On 22 April 2026, 6:18 PM EDT (Toronto Time)
Ontario issued 918 permanent residence invitations today through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program, targeting international graduates who completed masters or doctoral degrees at eligible Ontario universities.
The Ontario PNP draw on April 22, 2026, split across two streams, sent 674 invitations under the OINP Masters Graduate stream and 244 invitations under the OINP PhD Graduate stream.
This is the second time in 2026 that Ontario has activated these education-based streams, following the landmark March 18 draws that brought both pathways back after a full year of silence throughout 2025.
Candidates must currently reside in Canada with a valid work or study permit to be eligible for today’s Ontario immigration draw.
Table of Contents
Ontario PNP Draw April 22, 2026 Details
The following details summarize every aspect of today’s OINP draw:
| Detail | Masters Graduate | PhD Graduate |
| Invitations Issued | 674 | 244 |
| Minimum EOI Score | 61 | 56 |
| Profile Creation Window | Apr 22, 2025 – Apr 20, 2026 | Apr 22, 2025 – Apr 20, 2026 |
| Application Deadline | 14 calendar days | 14 calendar days |
| File Prefix | NMAS | NPHD |
Breakdown Of Masters vs. PhD Streams
The OINP Masters Graduate stream received the larger share of invitations at 674, which is consistent with the historical pattern of masters graduates making up the majority of education-based OINP invitations.
The minimum Expression of Interest score for the Masters Graduate stream was set at 61, which is the same threshold Ontario used in the March 18, 2026, draw under this stream.
The OINP PhD Graduate stream accounted for 244 invitations with a lower minimum score of 56.
The lower cutoff for doctoral graduates reflects the smaller pool of PhD candidates in Ontario’s Expression of Interest system and the province’s recognition of the advanced research credentials these candidates bring.
Neither stream is aligned with Express Entry, which means candidates nominated through these pathways apply to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).
After securing their provincial nomination, they can then apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for permanent residence either after getting an invitation through Express Entry or even without getting any ITA.
Key Eligibility Conditions
To qualify for today’s Ontario PNP draw, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Must currently reside in Canada at the time of receiving the invitation
- Must hold a valid work permit or study permit conferring legal status in Canada
- Must have an active Expression of Interest profile created between April 22, 2025, and April 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. in the OINP e-Filing Portal
- Must meet all eligibility requirements specific to the Masters Graduate stream or PhD Graduate stream, including having graduated from an eligible Ontario university
- Must have completed the required program duration at an eligible Ontario institution
What Candidates Should Do Next
Candidates who received an invitation in today’s draw must act immediately because the application deadline is firm and cannot be extended.
- Log in to the OINP e-Filing Portal and locate the newly created file number with the prefix NMAS for the Masters Graduate stream or NPHD for PhD Graduate stream
- Review the Masters Graduate stream or PhD Graduate stream requirements page on the Ontario government website to confirm eligibility
- Gather all mandatory documents listed on the relevant stream page before beginning the application
- Submit the complete application and payment within 14 calendar days of receiving the invitation
- Do not confuse the new application file number with the original EOI file number, as the EOI profile will appear greyed out in the portal once an invitation has been issued
Why This Draw Matters
Today’s draw is significant because the Masters Graduate and PhD Graduate streams were completely dormant throughout 2025, leaving thousands of international graduates without a clear pathway to permanent residence through these education-based channels.
Ontario brought both streams back on March 18, 2026, and today’s draw confirms that the province is continuing to issue invitations under these pathways before the anticipated OINP program redesign takes effect.
The province has confirmed that nine categories of applicants currently eligible for provincial nomination will be formally revoked on May 30, 2026, which means the Masters Graduate and PhD Graduate streams could be eliminated entirely under the new program structure.
For candidates who do not have high Comprehensive Ranking System scores needed for competitive Express Entry draws, these education-based OINP streams offer an alternative route to permanent residence that does not require a job offer or employer sponsorship.
With Express Entry CRS cutoffs rising to 515 in recent Canadian Experience Class draws, the OINP Masters and PhD Graduate streams remain one of the most accessible pathways for international graduates already studying or working in Ontario.
A Total of 5,800 PR Invitations In April 2026 So Far
Today’s 918 invitations bring the total number of OINP invitations issued in April 2026 to over 5,800.
Ontario has conducted draws on April 1 targeting the mining sector; April 8 covering healthcare and regional development; April 15 under the In-Demand Skills stream; and now April 22 under the Masters and PhD Graduate streams.
This pace confirms that April 2026 is shaping up to be one of the busiest months in OINP history, as the province works to maximize its 14,119 nomination allocation for the year.
Key Takeaways
- Ontario issued 918 invitations on April 22, 2026, across the Masters Graduate and PhD Graduate streams
- The Masters Graduate stream sent 674 invitations with a minimum EOI score of 61
- The PhD Graduate stream sent 244 invitations with a minimum EOI score of 56
- Candidates must reside in Canada with a valid work or study permit
- Eligible profiles must have been created between April 22, 2025, and April 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
- Invited candidates must submit their application and payment within 14 calendar days
- These streams may be eliminated after May 30, 2026, under the upcoming OINP program redesign
Candidates who received an invitation today should treat the 14-day application deadline as non-negotiable and begin preparing their mandatory documents immediately.
With the OINP program redesign set to revoke all nine existing selection categories on May 30, 2026, today’s draw could represent one of the final opportunities to secure a provincial nomination through the Masters Graduate or PhD Graduate streams under the current rules.
Ontario continues to issue targeted draws at an aggressive pace across multiple streams, and candidates in the Expression of Interest pool should keep their profiles updated and monitor the OINP Program Updates page daily for new announcements.
Ontario’s latest PNP draw reinforces a clear pattern in 2026: the province is moving quickly to issue nominations across multiple streams while there is still clarity under the current system.
For international graduates in Ontario, the Masters and PhD Graduate streams remain one of the most direct pathways to permanent residence without needing a job offer, but that window may be narrowing.
With a major program redesign set for May 30, 2026, candidates who receive invitations now are in a critical position to secure their nomination under the existing rules, while those still in the pool should stay prepared for potential final rounds of invitations in the coming weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can candidates outside Canada apply for the Masters or PhD Graduate streams?
No, both streams require candidates to be physically present in Canada with a valid work permit or study permit at the time they receive the invitation and throughout the application process.
Will there be more Masters and PhD Graduate stream draws before May 30, 2026?
Ontario has not confirmed whether additional draws will occur under these streams before the May 30 revocation date. Candidates with active profiles should keep them updated and monitor the OINP Program Updates page regularly, as draw announcements are made without advance notice.
What happens to my Expression of Interest profile if I do not receive an invitation before May 30?
Ontario has not clarified whether existing EOI profiles will be migrated to redesigned streams, require re-registration, or be withdrawn entirely. When Ontario introduced the Employer Portal in July 2025, existing EOIs were automatically withdrawn and candidates had to re-register, so a similar process could occur under the new program structure.
Do the Masters and PhD Graduate streams require a job offer from an Ontario employer?
No, unlike the Employer Job Offer streams, the Masters Graduate and PhD Graduate streams do not require a job offer, an LMIA, or any form of employer sponsorship. Candidates qualify based on their Ontario graduate degree and meeting the other stream-specific eligibility requirements.
How long does it typically take to receive permanent residence after an OINP nomination through these streams?
The Masters and PhD Graduate streams are not aligned with Express Entry, so candidates apply directly to IRCC through the non-Express Entry PNP pathway. Processing times for these applications are typically longer than Express Entry applications and can range from 12 to 18 months or more depending on IRCC processing volumes at the time of submission.
Fact-checked: All information in this article has been verified against official Ontario government sources, including the OINP Program Updates page, as of April 22, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Consult a licensed immigration professional for guidance specific to your situation.
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