- Bird Construction – Hundreds of roles in project management, engineering, and skilled trades.
- Alamos Gold – Extensive postings for mining engineers, geologists, and operations supervisors.
- Accenture – Wide range of IT, consulting, and business-analysis positions.
All other employers under ISS currently list fewer than 50 openings each, making these three industry leaders pivotal hiring partners.
Ontario’s PNP Allocation & ISS Draws to Date
Ontario holds the largest PNP allocation in Canada, with 25,000 seats under the Immigration Levels Plan 2025–27 . Through July 2025, the OINP has issued 15,320 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) across all streams, including ISS. This leaves approximately 9,680 seats still available for the remainder of 2025.
Total PNP seats (2025): 25,000
ITAs issued (Jan–Jul 2025): 15,320
Seats remaining: ~9,680
The province just recently released major changes to its PR nomination process . One major change is that the province will require an in person interview to ensure program integrity.
More detailed information on OINP ITA's issued and future trends via this article.
Why Eastern Ontario?
While Ontario does not publish community-level ITA counts, analysis of ISS draws and employer activity points to Eastern Ontario—specifically Peterborough, Kingston, and Ottawa—as major hubs. The province’s goal is to rebalance population by encouraging new graduates to settle outside the GTA, supporting regional economies and services. Ottawa, with its network of home-care facilities, leads in employer participation and job postings.ISS Candidate Eligibility
To receive an ITA under the International Student Stream, candidates must meet all the following criteria,Education - Completed a minimum one-year diploma, degree, or graduate certificate from an eligible Ontario public college or university within the past two years.
Job Offer - Hold a permanent, full-time job offer from an Ontario employer in a skilled occupation (TEER 0–2) related to their field of study.
Work Permit Status - Currently working in Ontario with a valid post-graduation work permit (PGWP) at the time of application.
Language Proficiency - Demonstrate CLB 7 or higher in English or French (depending on the job’s language requirements).
Settlement Funds - Show sufficient funds to support yourself and any dependents, unless exempt under provincial guidelines.
Detailed ISS requirements
Employer Eligibility to Sponsor ISS Candidates
Ontario employers seeking to nominate international students must,Be a Registered Employer - Operate for at least three years in Ontario with a valid Business Number.
Offer a Long-Term Position - Provide a permanent, full-time role aligned with the candidate’s area of study and TEER 0–2 classification.
Responsible Employment Practices - Adhere to Ontario Employment Standards, including minimum wage and benefits.
Recruitment Efforts - Demonstrate efforts to recruit Canadians and permanent residents first, typically via local job postings for at least two weeks.
Employer requirements
ISS Draw Trends & Community Focus
Draw Frequency: Monthly targeted draws, favoring employers in Eastern Ontario.
Top Sectors: Healthcare (especially home care), Information Technology, and Skilled Trades.
Community Spotlight:
Ottawa: Highest number of home-care and IT employers.
Peterborough & Kingston: Strong presence of education and public-sector roles.
Available PR-Eligible Jobs & Top Employers
As of August 2025, the ISS pathway features nearly 2,000 PR-eligible job postings, and this number grows daily. Based on QuestJobs data, three companies stand out with hundreds of openings each:- Bird Construction – Hundreds of roles in project management, engineering, and skilled trades.
- Alamos Gold – Extensive postings for mining engineers, geologists, and operations supervisors.
- Accenture – Wide range of IT, consulting, and business-analysis positions.
Explore ISS roles: https://questjobs.io
How to Maximize Your ISS Application
Secure a Strong Job Offer: Use campus career centres or platforms like QuestJobs to find TEER 0–2 roles in Eastern Ontario.
Prepare Documentation Early: Collect degree certificates, work permit, language test results, and employer declarations.
Monitor Draw Announcements: ISS draws typically occur at the end of each month—sign up for OINP notifications.
Consider Settlement Plans: Research housing and community resources in Peterborough, Kingston, or Ottawa ahead of arrival.