Ontario invites Express Entry candidates in new Skilled Trades Stream draw

The province of Ontario has issued new invitations to apply for a provincial nomination for permanent residence to Express Entry candidates through its Skilled Trades Stream.

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) issued 361 invitations in the March 21 draw to eligible candidates who submitted their Express Entry profile between March 21, 2018, and March 21, 2019.

The federal Express Entry system manages the pool of candidates for three of Canada's main economic immigration categories —the Federal Skilled Worker Class, Federal Skilled Trades Class and Canadian Experience Class.

The Skilled Trades Stream allows the OINP to search the Express Entry pool for Federal Skilled Worker Class and Canadian Experience Class candidates currently living in Ontario who have a minimum of one year full-time work experience, or the equivalent in part-time work, in Ontario in a skilled trade listed in Minor Group 633 or Major Group 72, 73, or 82 under Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC).

Candidates do not need a job offer to apply under either the Skilled Trades Stream, but they must meet all the mandatory federal and provincial requirements specified by the OINP.

Candidates who are nominated for Canadian permanent residence through the Skilled Trades Stream receive an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points and are effectively guaranteed an Invitation To Apply for Canadian permanent residence through the Express Entry system.

The OINP has now issued 732 invitations to Express Entry candidates through the Skilled Trades Stream in 2019.

The first step to being identified as a candidate under the Skilled Trades Stream is to enter the Express Entry pool.

Find out if you are eligible to enter the Express Entry pool