Express Entry Skilled Trades stream (closed)
Former Express Entry-linked Ontario stream for tradespeople who already had Ontario work experience, with no job offer needed. It is closed and was suspended before the redesign.
Who it suits
- Not available to new applicants; listed for history only.
Requirements
- Former languageFormer rule: CLB 5 or higher in English or French. ↗ ontario.ca
- Former workFormer rule: at least one year cumulative paid full-time work (or part-time equivalent) in Ontario within 2 years before applying, in NOC major groups 72, 73, 82, 83, 93 or minor group 6320; valid Ontario trade certification for compulsory trades. ↗ ontario.ca
- Former residenceFormer rule: living in Ontario with valid work permit status when applying; Notification of Interest required first. ↗ ontario.ca
- SuspensionStream suspended 2025-11-14 after the Director identified systemic misrepresentation or fraud; outstanding applications were returned with full refunds. ↗ ontario.ca
How candidates are selected
No longer selecting: the stream is closed. Successor: the Ontario Workforce Priority stream, which uses an expression-of-interest pool and points grid.
Location requirement: Former rule: must live and work in Ontario.
Processing: IRCC's service standard for the federal PR stage after nomination is 180 days for Express Entry-linked nominees and 11 months for paper (non-Express Entry) nominees, not counting the province's own processing. Ontario publishes no overall processing time on its application-process page.
Recent rounds
| Date | Round | Minimum score | Invitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 17, 2024 | Last round shown on Ontario's official Express Entry NOI page: Skilled Trades (CRS range 405-435) | 405 | 1,307 |
Related pathways
Official sources
- ontario.caExpress Entry Skilled Trades stream (archived)Checked 2026-10-01
- ontario.caExpress Entry notifications of interest (archived)Checked 2026-10-01
- ontario.ca2025 OINP updatesChecked 2026-10-01
- ontario.caOINP streams (closed streams)Checked 2026-10-01
- ontario.ca2026 OINP updatesChecked 2026-10-01
- ontario.caOntario Workforce Priority streamChecked 2026-10-01
Program rules change often. This page summarizes the official pages listed above; the official page always takes precedence.