The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program’s (OINP) Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream allows skilled trades workers with work experience in a qualifying trade to settle permanently in Ontario using the federal Express Entry immigration system.
Candidates who receive a provincial nomination through the Ontario Skilled Trades Stream receive additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points and an Invitation To Apply (ITA) for permanent residence at a future draw from the Express Entry pool because this Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) stream is Express Entry-aligned.
What are the Minimum Requirements for this Stream?
Candidates must meet the following requirements to be eligible for the OINP Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream.
Candidates must:
- have a valid Express Entry profile;
- qualify under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC);
- indicate whether you want to go to Ontario or “All Provinces and Territories” in your Express Entry profile; and
- must have received a Notification of Interest from the province of Ontario through their federal Express Entry online account.
Candidates for Express Entry must also supply evidence demonstrating the following:
| Work Experience | A cumulative period of at least one year paid full-time work experience in Ontario — or part-time work equivalent — at least two years from the time of issuance of the notification of Interest (NOI) from Ontario.
Work experience must be in a skilled trade job designated in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system’s Minor Group 633 or Major Group 72, 73, or 82. |
| Trade Certification | Whether or not the candidate is working, or has worked, in an occupation in Ontario that requires a license or certification, the candidate must have a valid license or certification from the Ontario College of Trades at the time the candidate submits their application. |
| Current Residence | At the time of application submission, the candidate must be currently residing in Ontario and have a valid work permit. The OINP accepts applications that are submitted even while on an implied status. |
| Language | All language abilities must meet the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in English or French (listening, reading, writing, and speaking). Valid language test results from the following government-approved organizations are required to demonstrate language ability:
● Applicants can take the English test with the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP).
● For French testing, use the Test d’Evaluation du Français (TEF) or the Test de Connaissance du Français (TCF). |
| Settlement Funds | A certain amount of money must be set aside as part of the settlement. The OINP lists a number of ways to meet this condition, including bank statements, annual earnings from continued employment in Ontario, and/or a job offer in Ontario. |
| Intent | A wish to live in Ontario, as evidenced by a list of established ties to the province. |
How do I Apply for this Stream?
Candidates in the Express Entry pool are not eligible to apply for the Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream through the OINP. Candidates must first get a Notification of Interest (NOI) from Ontario via their IRCC online account.
Candidates have 45 days from the time of the receipt of the NOI letter to complete an application online, which will be accepted through Ontario’s unique application management system.
Potential applicants must gather all required documents and supporting evidence before filing an application. Any document not written in English or French must be translated, authenticated, and, if necessary, notarized.
A $1,500 application fee is required.
The OINP will consider an application after it has been submitted. If the candidate is selected, they will receive 600 additional CRS points and an ITA in a future Express Entry pool draw. After an application for permanent residency is received, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) aims to complete the process within 6 months.
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