The Government of Ontario has suspended its Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), effective immediately. According to Maple News, the province has cited widespread systematic misrepresentation as the primary reason behind the decision.
As a result of the suspension, Ontario will neither process current applications nor accept new submissions through this specific stream. All pending applications will be returned to candidates, and application fees will be fully refunded. The province has not provided a timeline for resuming this stream or confirmed whether it will reopen in the future.
The Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream targeted foreign workers with a background in skilled trades, who had active Express Entry profiles and work experience in Ontario. The stream has been considered a crucial gateway to permanent residency for skilled trade workers who met provincial and federal eligibility criteria.
With this pathway now closed, many affected candidates may consider applying through Canada’s federal Express Entry system, particularly within the Trade Occupation category. Importantly, eligibility for this category still requires candidates to have at least six months of full-time (or equivalent part-time) work experience in an eligible trade within the past three years.
The Trade Occupation category under Express Entry has been seen as a viable alternative, often featuring lower Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score thresholds compared to general draws. The most recent Trade category draw, for example, required a minimum CRS of 505—significantly lower than the 533 cutoff seen in the latest Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw.
To be considered for category-based selection under Express Entry, candidates must first qualify for one of the three core federal programs: the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), or Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP). From there, those with eligible trade experience can be selected in targeted draws.
While Ontario’s announcement comes as a setback for some, it may also reflect an effort to protect the integrity of the immigration system. It underscores the importance of accurate, truthful representation in all provincial and federal nominations.
Maple News will continue to monitor the status of Ontario’s immigration streams and provide updates as the situation develops.