Ontario 2025: only those who were in the right place at the right time "survived."
A total of 12,500 invitations were issued. Most of them went to medical professionals, graduates, and specialists, but in specific professions and regions. The allocated quota was almost 11,000, leaving Ontario a bit in shortage for 2026.
The year 2025 for provincial nominations in Ontario began... with silence.
From January to June, there was not a single draw. Then they played the old game once again and redesigned the system:
Starting July 2, invitations were tied to the employer. Now, the employer registers the offer on the portal, receives a code, and only then the candidate can submit an expression of interest using this code.
The biggest drawback is that the employer must meet financial income requirements – at least half a million Dollar$ in annual revenue. This automatically cuts off most small businesses from the opportunity to support workers for PR.
Without an employer, applying for immigration has become impossible.
Against this backdrop, Ontario was practically the only province where draws were still underway. Moreover, they were targeted: by region, profession, and program: Foreign Worker, International Student, In-Demand Skills (low-skilled and unskilled labor), plus a temporary REDI program for a year (opened until the end of December; it's unclear whether it will be extended...we're waiting).
Geography and points: where the chances were higher
Regional selections began in late August.
Northern Ontario (Muskoka, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, and others) received priority:
- August 28: Contract specialists in priority occupations with a score of 53 (a perfectly reasonable score for those living and working in Ontario) were invited; graduates with a score of 66 or higher (they have a higher passing score, as they are given more points for their Canadian education). The list of invited professionals included managers, HR, finance, IT specialists, engineers, medical professionals, psychologists, architects, construction workers, resource industry supervisors, audio/video technicians, and others.
- REDI (Lanark, Leeds & Grenville, Sarnia-Lambton, Thunder Bay) was also invited separately: specialists from remote and rural regions with a score of 45 or higher (which is actually not bad, everyone will score 45).
Next – a series of fall selections across the province:
- September 2 and 3: Priority – healthcare and preschool education (nurses, educators, assistants, caregivers) from 41-42 points, and graduates in the same fields.
- October 9: again, medicine and childcare, employees - from 38 points, graduates - from 56. Again, I repeat, the scores are very low; essentially, everyone in the pool and matching the region was selected.
The larger the region, the higher the scores. Central Ontario was selected separately, excluding Toronto (the same restriction as in Vancouver and Montreal, unfortunately): managers, financiers, accountants, medical professionals, construction workers, interior designers, bus drivers.
The East, North, and Southwest received a similar mix: managers, HR, office, medical professionals, construction workers, artisans, supervisors.
Ontarian favorites: low-skilled labor with employer support
A separate line is the In-Demand Skills program. In almost all samples the lowest scores were found in the following categories:
- Domestic and childcare aides, caregivers, loaders, warehouse and assembly line workers, machine operators, and industrial workers.
- Eastern and Central Ontario on December 11: only 30 points for domestic helpers (123 and 115 people, respectively).
- December 10 through REDI: the same categories, starting from 30 points.
This means that unskilled but in-demand labor regularly received the lowest scores with the mandatory requirement of a contract and employer support.
30 points is NOTHING; you just need to work in Ontario, have a work permit, and a contract with an employer.
The main takeaway from 2025 for Ontario:
Ontario is no longer an "early bird" system. The system has become regionally and occupationally focused:
- The lowest points are in remote regions and in In-Demand Skills (low-skilled and unskilled immigration)
- Higher points are in all regions except Toronto and for graduates
- A real contract and employer registration have become a key point in all programs.
Today, it's no longer enough to "just be a good candidate." You need to be there at the right time, in the right region, in the right profession, and with a well-written job offer.
Oleksandra Melnykova, Immigration and Refugee Consultant in Canada
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