Ontario is bringing back the REDI program (Regional Economic Development through Immigration) as part of the updated OINP. It is not a separate program but additional places within existing streams for candidates who live or work in certain regions. The launch is announced for October 2026, and the number of allocated places has not yet been disclosed.
What Is Being Brought Back
The REDI program was part of the previous version of the OINP. This year the province completely reworked the program, moving to a points system, and has now announced the return of REDI.
It is important to understand that REDI is not a separate program. Within existing streams, Ontario allocates additional places for people who obtain PR in certain communities. For example, if the PNP quota is 10,000 places, some of them are set aside for regional communities. Points and requirements are the same for everyone.
If an invitation (ITA) is issued under REDI, it will state that the candidate received the invitation specifically under this pathway.
Which Regions Are Included
Six communities are currently defined: Greater Sudbury, the District of Kenora, the District of Nipissing, the District of Rainy River, the County of Renfrew, and the District of Thunder Bay. Several cities belong to each of them. Candidates in these communities will receive somewhat more additional places than in other rural areas.
The full list of cities is in the official Ontario list, and that is the document to check whether your place of residence is included in the program.
Timing and Open Questions
The resumption is planned for October 2026. The number of places for REDI has not yet been announced. New draws have not been held since June, so candidates are waiting for the first invitations.
Also open is the question of NOC codes: so far Ontario has not announced that it will run draws by occupation codes. It is too early to say how exactly this will affect chances.
Why the Rework Was Needed
A logical question arises: if candidates from the regions already receive more points, why rewrite the entire program to return to the former model? An option with extra points for communities or a separate flag in the profile would seem simpler than a separate draw.
According to current data, the changes mainly concern the rules and the new points system, while the logic of the job offer and EOI has stayed the same. What REDI will actually deliver in practice will become clear after the first draws.
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