Ontario Releases 9 In-Demand Jobs for Permanent Residency
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Ontario’s Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) continues to serve as a crucial gateway for international skilled workers aiming to achieve permanent residency in Canada. With significant program updates introduced in 2025, the province has refined its selection process to focus more precisely on labour market needs.
In 2024, OINP successfully utilized its full nomination quota of 21,500, with nearly 45% of nominations going to just nine high-demand occupations, mainly in critical sectors like healthcare and technology. This year, however, Ontario is working within a sharply reduced quota of 10,750 nominations, pushing the province to be more strategic in targeting specific occupations and streams.
The latest data released in July 2025 points to a consistent demand for professionals in certain roles, suggesting that similar occupations will continue to be prioritized. For aspiring immigrants, this makes understanding these targeted job categories more important than ever to improve their chances of securing a nomination.
9 Most In-Demand Jobs in Ontario for PR Through OINP in 2025
According to Ontario’s latest update shared on July 11, 2025, nearly 45% of the province’s 2024 nominations were concentrated in just nine occupations. These roles fall within sectors experiencing critical labour shortages, particularly healthcare and technology, making them key focus areas for the OINP in 2025.
Healthcare Roles
Ontario’s growing need for healthcare professionals led to over 3,200 nominations in 2024 alone, highlighting the sector’s continued urgency. If you are a skilled healthcare worker, these roles offer strong opportunities for permanent residency.
Top roles include:
- Registered Nurses - NOC 31301 (TEER 1)
- Pharmacists - NOC 31120 (TEER 1)
- Family Physicians & General Practitioners - NOC 31102 (TEER 1)
- Nurse Aides & Patient Support Workers - NOC 33102 (TEER 3)
These occupations remain top priority in 2025 due to Ontario’s ageing population and increasing demand for frontline healthcare services.
Tech Occupations
Ontario’s tech industry played a major role in nominations, with over 6,300 issued in 2024, making up 30% of the total. With ongoing digital transformation across industries, the demand for skilled tech professionals remains strong.
Top roles include:
- Software Engineers & Designers - NOC 21231 (TEER 1)
- Software Developers & Programmers - NOC 21232 (TEER 1)
- User Support Technicians - NOC 22221 (TEER 2)
- Information Systems Specialists - NOC 21222 (TEER 1)
- Business Systems Analysts - NOC 21221 (TEER 1)
Also Read: Ontario Updates Intake for Employer Job Offer Streams
OINP Streams and Nomination Distribution
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program allocated its 21,500 nominations across a range of streams in 2024, offering valuable guidance for candidates preparing to apply in 2025. Here is how the nominations were spread out.
- Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream - 6,330 nominations
- Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream - 4,101 nominations
- Masters Graduate Stream - 3,810 nominations
- Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream - 3,283 nominations
- Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream - 2,731 nominations
- PhD Graduate Stream - 446 nominations
- Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream - 408 nominations
- Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream - 300 nominations
- Entrepreneur Stream - 91 nominations
Updated OINP Policy: Application Returns Before Nomination
Effective July 2, 2025, Ontario has updated its OINP procedures to include the option of returning applications before issuing nominations. This move helps the province focus on candidates who better match its current labour market needs. If an application is returned, the applicant or their representative will be notified and receive a full refund. The update highlights the need for precise, well-prepared submissions.
Quick Read: Canada’s Average Salaries Jump to $67,466 in 2025, Ontario Outpaces National Average
Canada Immigration Made Easy with GetGIS
With Ontario focusing on key sectors like healthcare and tech to meet its reduced 2025 quota, targeting high-demand occupations is vital for securing PR. Staying aligned with provincial trends can significantly boost your nomination chances. GetGIS simplifies your Canada immigration journey with expert guidance tailored to Ontario’s evolving PR pathways.
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