Ontario Skilled Trades Stream: Express Entry Pathway
The Ontario Skilled Trades Stream offers an Express Entry-aligned pathway to permanent residency for tradespeople with prior work experience in Ontario. Managed under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), this stream focuses on filling critical trade shortages across construction, industrial, motive power, and service sectors throughout the province.
This pathway does not require a job offer at the time of application, but candidates must possess recent work experience within Ontario in an eligible NOC TEER 2 or 3 trade code and hold valid trade certifications where applicable. Receiving a provincial nomination awards candidates an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residency in subsequent federal draws.
Securing your trade qualification recognition is central to a successful provincial nomination. Reach out to RCIC Eivy Joy Quito for professional guidance on trade stream eligibility.
Stream Overview
The Skilled Trades Stream bridges federal Express Entry eligibility with localized Ontario trade experience.
| Feature | Stream Standard |
| Pathway Category | Skilled Trades Stream (Express Entry-Aligned) |
| Program Administrator | Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) |
| Entry Qualification | Active profile in Express Entry (CEC or FSWP eligible) |
| Ontario Experience | Minimum 1-year cumulative skilled trade experience in Ontario |
| Trade Credential | Certificate of Qualification (C of Q) where required |
| Job Offer | Not required |
| Nomination Impact | +600 CRS points added to Express Entry profile |
| Target Occupations | Eligible Major and Minor Groups under NOC 2021 TEER trade codes |
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for a Notification of Interest (NOI) under the OINP Skilled Trades Stream, applicants must fulfill both provincial and federal Express Entry criteria.
| Requirement | Description |
| Express Entry Profile | Active profile under Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) |
| Ontario Experience | At least 1 year of full-time (or equivalent part-time) paid work experience in Ontario in an eligible TEER 2 or 3 trade within the last 2 years |
| Licensing / Certification | Active Certificate of Qualification (C of Q) from Skilled Trades Ontario if operating in a compulsory trade |
| Current Residence | Residing in Ontario with valid legal status (e.g., work permit) at the time of application |
| Language Benchmark | Minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in English or French across all four competencies |
| Settlement Funds | Adequate funds to meet federal LINC standards (Waived if currently employed under CEC) |
Eligible Trade Categories and Licensing (NOC 2021 5-Digit System)
Eligible trades fall within key NOC 2021 categories, covering major industrial, construction, and technical occupations:
| Sector | Representative Eligible Occupations (NOC 2021 TEER Codes) | Qualification Requirement |
| Construction Trades | NOC 72200 (Electricians), NOC 72300 (Plumbers), NOC 72310 (Carpenters), NOC 72102 (Sheet Metal Workers), NOC 72320 (Bricklayers) | Certificate of Qualification (for compulsory trades) or Trade Equivalency |
| Industrial / Manufacturing | NOC 72400 (Millwrights), NOC 72101 (Tool and Die Makers), NOC 72106 (Welders), NOC 72100 (Machinists) | C of Q or proof of trade status |
| Motive Power | NOC 72401 (Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanics), NOC 72410 (Automotive Service Technicians) | C of Q mandatory for compulsory trades |
| Service Trades | NOC 63200 (Cooks), NOC 63201 (Bakers), NOC 63201 (Butchers) | Certificate of Qualification or relevant trade experience |
Trade Certification Framework
For compulsory trades, applicants must hold a valid Certificate of Qualification (C of Q) issued by Skilled Trades Ontario. Candidates operating in non-compulsory trades must demonstrate that their work experience meets the specific operational expectations of the trade.
Determining whether your trade requires compulsory licensing is crucial before entering the pool. Book a strategic evaluation with our legal team to verify your trade credentials.
Application Flow and Key Timelines
Candidates must follow sequential steps to complete their nomination application after being selected from the Express Entry pool.
- Accumulate 1 Year Ontario Trade Experience
- Maintain Active Express Entry Profile
- Receive OINP Notification of Interest
- Submit Complete OINP Application (45 Days)
- Receive Provincial Nomination (+600 CRS Points)
- Submit Federal PR Application to IRCC (60 Days)
Mandatory Deadlines
- Application Window: Applicants receiving an NOI have 45 calendar days to submit a complete application online through the OINP portal.
- Federal Submission: After receiving an ITA following nomination, applicants have 60 calendar days to complete their permanent residence submission to IRCC.
Application Fees
| Stage | Fee Amount (CAD) |
| OINP Application Processing Fee | $1,500 (Non-refundable) |
| IRCC PR Application Processing Fee | $1,325 (Principal applicant) + $1,325 (Spouse) + $225 (Per child) |
| Biometrics Processing Fee | $85 per applicant |
| Skilled Trades Examination / Assessment | Varies according to Skilled Trades Ontario evaluation procedures |
Stream Administration Notice
Ontario continuously aligns its trade streams with broader infrastructure and housing development priorities. Applicants working in trade categories should maintain accurate records of their work hours, pay stubs, and provincial trade credentials to respond promptly when drawn from the federal Express Entry pool.
Frequently Asked Questions
No job offer is required. Eligibility is based on having accumulated at least 1 year of valid, paid, full-time (or equivalent part-time) skilled trade work experience in Ontario within the past 2 years.
No. Unlike certain federal programs, the 1 year of work experience required for the OINP Skilled Trades Stream can be cumulative, provided it was completed within Ontario in an eligible trade within the 2 years preceding your NOI date.
If you work in a compulsory trade, you must hold a valid Certificate of Qualification issued by Skilled Trades Ontario at the time of your application submission.
Yes. Equivalent part-time experience (e.g., 15 hours per week over 2 years totaling 1,560 hours) in an eligible trade qualifies toward the work experience requirement.
Professional Consultation with ImmigCanada
Applying for provincial nomination under trade pathways requires precise credential alignment, proper documentation of work hours, and adherence to provincial licensing standards. Incomplete trade verifications can jeopardize your provincial nomination.
At ImmigCanada, our experienced team ensures your employment records and trade credentials strictly align with provincial standards. Led by Senior Eivy Joy Quito, a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC #R512178), we manage every phase of your filing to help you secure permanent residency. Book your consultation with Eivy Joy Quito today for expert representation.