Ontario held another Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw targeting skilled trades workers in the Express Entry system on June 17.

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) issued 758 invitations to candidates who may be eligible for the Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream. This is the largest number of candidates invited through this stream in a single draw since January 18, 2018.

Invited candidates had work experience as a tradesperson as well as a profile in the Express Entry pool. They also had a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score between 400 and 436.

Express Entry is the application management system for three economic-class immigration programs: Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class.

Express Entry candidates are given a score on the CRS that is based on human capital factors such as age, work experience, education, and language ability in English or French.

If the candidates who received a Notification of Interest (NOI), or invitation from Ontario, successfully obtain the provincial nomination they will be given an additional 600 points toward their CRS score. These additional points will effectively guarantee an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in a subsequent Express Entry draw.

A total of 948 Skilled Trades Stream candidates have been invited by the OINP so far this year. One similar draw was held in April targeting specific trades occupations.

This is Ontario’s second draw of the month. On June 3, Ontario invited Express Entry candidates with CRS scores as low as 358 to apply for a provincial nomination.

Ontario’s allocation for 2020 is 7,600 principal applicants over the course of the year. This includes 250 nominations for temporary workers in intermediate skilled occupations or National Occupation Classification (NOC) skill level C.

In 2019 over half of Ontario’s 7,391 PNP recipients were Express Entry candidates.

Find out if you are eligible for any Canadian immigration programs

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