Ontario Halts Skilled Trades Stream as of November 14 and Returns All Applications

On November 14, 2025, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) officially suspended the Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream. According to the province, a comprehensive review revealed widespread misrepresentation and potential fraud within applicants’ work experience and credential documentation, making it difficult for the program director to determine eligibility under section 7 of Ontario Regulation 421/17.

Due to Ontario’s limited nomination allocation, the province states it cannot risk misallocating spots based on unverifiable or fraudulent submissions. As a result, the Director has:

• Suspended all intake under the Skilled Trades Stream;
• Ordered all pending applications to be returned;
• Directed full refunds of all application fees.

Ontario notes that the stream may undergo structural redesign before reopening in the future.

Key Findings from the Provincial Review

Ontario’s review revealed multiple systemic vulnerabilities within the Skilled Trades Stream, including:

• Difficulty verifying declared Ontario work experience;
• Uncertainty regarding the validity of certain trade certificates or licences;
• Insufficient safeguards against misrepresentation within the current system;
• Risk of nomination spots being misallocated, undermining the stream’s labour-market purpose.

These structural gaps compromised the program’s goal of addressing immediate skilled trades shortages.

Overview of Eligibility Requirements for the Skilled Trades Stream

1. Work Experience

Applicants must have at least one year of paid, full-time (or equivalent part-time) Ontario work experience within the last two years in one of the following NOC 2021 groups:

• Major Group 72 (excluding transport officers)
• Major Group 73
• Major Group 82
• Major Group 83
• Major Group 93 (excluding aircraft occupations)
• Minor Group 6320 (excluding cooks)

Self-employment and student work do not count.

2. Trade Certification

For compulsory regulated trades, applicants must hold a valid certificate or licence both at the time of performing the work and at the time of application.

3. Residence and Legal Status

Applicants must be living in Ontario with valid worker status; maintained status is accepted.

4. Language Proficiency

Minimum CLB 5 in English or French using approved tests.

5. Settlement Funds and Intent to Reside

Applicants must demonstrate sufficient funds and clear intent to live in Ontario.

Impact of the Suspension

For Applicants

• All in-progress applications will be returned, resulting in lost processing time despite fee refunds.
• Applicants must explore alternative OINP streams such as Human Capital Priorities or Employer Job Offer.
• Those relying on this stream for permanent residence may face delays in their immigration plans.

For Employers

• Employers in skilled trades sectors may face additional challenges recruiting and retaining workers.
• Businesses that relied on this stream to support international trade workers will need to consider other nomination pathways.

For Ontario’s Immigration Strategy

• The suspension reflects Ontario’s strengthened compliance efforts under Regulation 421/17.
• It signals potential redesign or restructuring of the Skilled Trades Stream.
• It underscores ongoing concerns about program integrity and effective allocation of limited nomination spots.

Alternative OINP Options for Affected Candidates

Ontario encourages eligible candidates to consider the following streams:

• Human Capital Priorities Stream — aligned with Express Entry for high-skilled workers.
• Employer Job Offer Streams — for candidates holding permanent, full-time job offers from Ontario employers.
• French-Speaking Skilled Worker and targeted Express Entry streams — for candidates with specific linguistic or occupational backgrounds.

Until the Skilled Trades Stream is redesigned and reopened, these remain the primary options for skilled trades candidates seeking provincial nomination.