Ontario’s first OINP mining draw 2026: your action plan if you’re in one of these NOC codes

By Amir Ismail, Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC #R412319)

Last Updated: April 2026

On April 1, 2026, Ontario held its first-ever mining draw under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), issuing 759 invitations to apply (ITAs) to workers in mining and construction occupations. If your NOC code is on the list and you currently live in Canada on a valid work or study permit, you may qualify for the next draw. Ontario’s immigration streams are being overhauled on May 30, 2026. The window to act under the current rules is narrow. Here is what you need to know.

What happened in Ontario’s April 1, 2026 OINP mining draw

Draw numbers at a glance

The OINP Mining Draw 2026 issued 759 ITAs on April 1, 2026, split across three streams:

Foreign Worker stream: 375 ITAs, minimum score 56
International Student stream: 355 ITAs, minimum score 85
In-Demand Skills stream: 32 ITAs, minimum score 34 (NOC 94201 only)

This was Ontario’s fifth set of draws in 2026 and the first time the province has ever targeted mining sector occupations specifically.

Why Ontario ran a mining draw now

Northern Ontario’s mining sector has been getting federal attention. In March 2026, the Government of Canada announced new investment in mining research and development at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay.

The mining and minerals sector supports more than 700,000 jobs across Canada and contributes over $150 billion annually to national GDP. Ontario wants to fill the pipeline with workers whose skills match what the sector needs now.

For immigrants and international graduates working in these occupations, this draw is a concrete signal that Ontario is looking for them.

Learn how the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program works for skilled workers at amirismail.com/ontario-immigrant-nominee-program.

Which NOC codes were targeted, and which stream applies to you

Foreign Worker stream NOC codes (minimum score 56)

This stream requires a job offer from an eligible Ontario employer and a valid work permit. Eligible NOC codes:

NOC 21310 – Electrical and electronics engineers
NOC 21330 – Mining engineers
NOC 21331 – Geological engineers
NOC 22100 – Chemical technologists and technicians
NOC 22101 – Geological and mineral technologists and technicians
NOC 22232 – Occupational health and safety specialists
NOC 22302 – Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians
NOC 22310 – Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
NOC 22312 – Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics
NOC 70012 – Facility operation and maintenance managers
NOC 72106 – Welders and related machine operators
NOC 72400 – Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics
NOC 72401 – Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
NOC 90010 – Manufacturing managers

International Student stream NOC codes (minimum score 85)

This stream includes all fourteen codes above, plus two more:

NOC 72201 – Industrial electricians
NOC 73400 – Heavy equipment operators

The higher minimum score (85 versus 56) reflects the different eligibility criteria tied to study permit history. If you are a PGWP holder, this is likely the stream you would fall under.

In-Demand Skills stream (minimum score 34)

Only one NOC code was eligible:

NOC 94201 – Electronics assemblers, fabricators, inspectors, and testers

The score threshold is the lowest of the three streams. But the occupation scope is narrow. If NOC 94201 matches your work, this is the most accessible path by score.

The residency requirement all three streams share

Regardless of stream, candidates had to reside in Canada on a valid work or study permit at the time of the draw. Profile creation and attestation also had to be completed between July 2, 2025 and March 30, 2026.

Not sure which NOC code matches your job duties? Find your NOC code using the Government of Canada’s official tool.

How the OINP scoring system works for these occupations

What goes into your OINP score

The OINP score is not the same as your Express Entry CRS score. Many candidates conflate the two and get a very wrong picture of where they stand.

Your OINP score depends on:

Whether you have a qualifying job offer and its wage level
Your current work permit type and duration
Level of education
Canadian work experience
Language test scores
Whether you work in an in-demand occupation

You can have a CRS of 450 and an OINP score well above 85, or the reverse. The two systems measure different things.

Where most candidates fall short

The most common barrier for the Foreign Worker stream is the job offer. You need an offer from an eligible Ontario employer in a qualifying NOC code. Without it, you cannot apply under the FW stream, regardless of your other scores.

For the International Student stream, the minimum of 85 is higher than most PGWP holders expect. Many have the right occupation and employer, but their profiles were not set up to earn enough points under OINP’s criteria.

The profile creation window for this draw closed on March 30, 2026. If your profile was not created and attested before that date, you were not eligible for this round.

Find out what PGWP holders need to know about Canadian permanent residence at amirismail.com/post-graduation-work-permit.

Also see:

Canada Post Graduate Work Permit for College Students

Why Study A Master’s In Canada (2026–2027)

A Strategic Guide For International Students 2026

What the May 30, 2026 Ontario Immigration Act overhaul means for your timeline

What is changing on May 30

Legal changes to the Ontario Immigration Act take effect on May 30, 2026. Those changes revoke all existing OINP stream categories, including the Foreign Worker, International Student, and In-Demand Skills streams used in this draw.

This is not a rumor or a proposal. It is confirmed legislation.

What this means if you are considering applying

The OINP has not confirmed replacement streams or transition arrangements for existing candidates. That silence is worth noting.

Candidates who move before May 30 are working with known requirements. Candidates who wait are betting on program details that have not been released. If you are in a qualifying NOC code and have a job offer in Ontario, the lower-risk path is to get your profile in order before the current rules disappear.

Step by step: how to prepare for the next OINP mining draw

Step 1: Confirm your NOC code

Verify that your job duties genuinely match the NOC description, not just the title. The government assesses NOC eligibility based on what you actually do, not what is on your business card.

Use the Government of Canada NOC tool to check.

Step 2: Secure a qualifying job offer

For the Foreign Worker stream, your employer must be eligible and must be offering work in one of the qualifying NOC codes. Review the OINP employer eligibility requirements before approaching your employer. That way both parties go into the conversation understanding what is required on the employer side.

Step 3: Create your OINP profile before the next draw

Your profile must be created and attested, with your employer’s support, before the draw takes place. The window for this draw ran from July 2025 to March 30, 2026. The next draw will likely have a similar window. Do not wait until the draw date to start this process.

Step 4: Know your OINP score before you apply

Review OINP’s scoring guidance and calculate your approximate score in advance. The minimum scores in this draw were 56 (Foreign Worker), 85 (International Student), and 34 (In-Demand Skills). If your score is near the minimum, look at what can realistically be improved before your profile window closes. Language scores and Canadian work experience hours are the two most common levers.

Step 5: Know your deadlines if you receive an ITA

If you receive an invitation to apply, the timelines are strict and non-negotiable. Employers have 14 calendar days from the invitation date to submit their employment position application. Candidates have 17 calendar days after the employer submits to file their own OINP application. Missing either window means losing the invitation.

After your OINP nomination: the path to federal permanent residence

How a provincial nomination connects to Express Entry

An OINP nomination does not grant you permanent residence on its own. It is the step that leads to it.

Once you receive a provincial nomination, you apply for federal permanent residence through the Provincial Nominee Program. If you have an active Express Entry profile, the nomination adds 600 CRS points, which is enough to guarantee an ITA in the next federal draw.

The Federal High Skilled category target for 2026 is 109,000 admissions, which includes PNP candidates processed through Express Entry. Draws are running regularly.

Apply for permanent residence through the Provincial Nominee Program at IRCC’s official page.

Also learn: OINP nominations for 2026

Federal processing time after nomination

Federal processing for PNP applications submitted through Express Entry is currently running at approximately 6 to 8 months. If you receive your provincial nomination in May 2026 and submit your federal PR application without delay, a decision could come before the end of 2026.

Learn more about how your Express Entry profile connects to a provincial nomination at amirismail.com/expressentry

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum score for the Ontario mining draw in 2026?

In the April 1, 2026 draw, the minimum score was 56 for the Foreign Worker stream, 85 for the International Student stream, and 34 for the In-Demand Skills stream. These thresholds vary by draw and are set based on the number of eligible candidates in the pool at the time.

Can PGWP holders apply to the OINP foreign worker stream?

Yes. If you are in Canada on a Post-Graduation Work Permit and have a job offer from an eligible Ontario employer in a qualifying NOC code, you may be eligible for the OINP Foreign Worker stream. Your PGWP counts as a valid work permit for residency purposes.

You also need to meet the minimum OINP score and have your profile created and attested before the draw window closes. Many PGWP holders are eligible in principle but miss the profile preparation step.

What happens to OINP applicants after the May 30, 2026 overhaul?

The Ontario Immigration Act changes taking effect on May 30, 2026 revoke all current OINP stream categories. The OINP has not yet confirmed replacement streams or transition arrangements for existing candidates. Anyone currently in the pool, or considering applying, should monitor official OINP announcements closely. Acting before May 30 under the current, published rules is the more predictable path.

How do I get a qualifying job offer for the OINP foreign worker stream?

Your employer must operate in Ontario, meet OINP eligibility criteria, and offer work in one of the qualifying NOC codes. Employers also need to submit their own documentation as part of the application process. Review the OINP employer guide on the Ontario government website before approaching your employer. Going into that conversation without understanding the employer requirements is a common mistake.

How long does it take to get permanent residence after an OINP nomination?

If you apply through Express Entry, a provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points and typically leads to a federal ITA in the next draw. Federal processing for PNP applications through Express Entry currently runs at approximately 6 to 8 months from submission.

Total time from receiving an OINP nomination to getting a permanent residence decision is roughly 8 to 12 months, depending on your documentation and specific circumstances.

Not sure whether your profile qualifies for the next OINP mining draw? Book Your Strategy Assessment with RCIC Amir Ismail (R412319). We will review your NOC code, OINP score, and your options before the May 30 deadline.

About the author

Amir Ismail is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC #R412319) and founder of Amir Ismail & Associates. He works with skilled workers, PGWP holders, and internationally trained professionals navigating Express Entry, Ontario provincial nominations, and permanent residence pathways. Book Your Strategy Assessment at amirismail.com.