Ontario Immigration has several programs. One of which is the Ontario Skilled Trade stream. On June 17th, 2020 the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) issued 758 Notifications of Interest (NOIs) to Express Entry (EE) Skilled Trade applicants with a Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) between 400 – 436 and an active profile in Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC’s) EE system. This is the largest OINP Skilled Trade draw since January 2018. This is an increase in CRS from the last draw in April, which was 358, but that may be because the last draw was targeted to specific occupations and the pool was much smaller.

This was a general draw, so applicants were not required to have work experience in any specific occupation. You must be living in Ontario, with a valid work permit and you must have a minimum of 1 year Canadian work experience to be eligible. There is no minimum level of education.

This was also the largest draw of 2020; the last draw in April, issued only 190 NOI’s. If you look at the OINP draw history, in 2019, the OINP has issued 1399 NOI’s under the OINP Express Entry Skilled Trade and draws stopped in December 2019. For 2020, there have been 948 NOI’s issued, but if last year has any indication, we may reach or surpass that amount.Some OINP Skilled Trade occupations include: Electricians, Ironworkers, Carpenters, Roofers, Crane Operators. Now this list is not exhaustive, there are many other Skilled Trades that are eligible

The Ontario PNP has an allocation of 7600 for 2020 and to date the OINP has issued 4482 NOI’s. There is no indication on how long it takes to get a NOI. Now, receiving a NOI does not guarantee an Invitation. So that number does not necessarily mean that 4482 will be issued Invitations and of that, there may be some applicants who decide to refuse the PNP, which will also reduce that number.

Applicants must apply online through the OINP e filing portal to be nominated. Once you receive a NOI, you have 45 days to submit an application to the OINP. The next step after OINP approval, is to receive a nomination, and once you do, you will receive an additional 600 points to your overall CRS Score, essentially guaranteeing an Invitation under EE.

The application fee under the OINP is $1,500. You must have intention to live in Ontario.

There is no guarantee that if you meet the eligibility requirements under the OINP, you will be selected and receive a NOI, but if you do not apply and you are not in the pool, you risk having an opportunity to come to Canada. Therefore, having an active Express Entry profile, will increase your chances of being selected under one of the EE PNP’s.

Our firm is here to help! If you need help to determine if your skilled trade is one of eligible occupations, or if you received an Invitation under the OINP and have questions regarding permanent residency to Canada, please contact us for additional information.