Understanding the Suspension of Ontario’s Skilled Trades Stream

What Happened

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) stopped its Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream immediately because it found major misrepresentation in many applications. In simple words, too many applicants submitted information that was dishonest or unclear.

What This Means for Current Applicants

Because the stream has ended, applicants cannot continue with this pathway anymore. Ontario will send back all pending applications, and it will refund the application fees.
Additionally, the OINP has not announced whether it will reopen this stream in the future.

What Applicants Can Do Now

Since this option is no longer available, applicants should speak with an immigration professional and start exploring other ways to get PR.

Alternative Pathways for Applicants

Express Entry Trade Category

Fortunately, many applicants still have a strong alternative. Everyone who applied to the Skilled Trades Stream already had an Express Entry profile, so they can shift easily to the Express Entry Trade Category.

Moreover, Trade Category draws usually have lower CRS scores. For example:

• Trade Category cut-off: 505
• CEC cut-off: 533

Who Can Apply to the Trade Category

To qualify, candidates must:

• Meet the basic rules of FSWP, CEC, or FSTP
• Have at least 6 months of experience in a trade within the last 3 years

Eligible trades include electricians, carpenters, plumbers, welders, cooks, mechanics, and many others.

Other OINP Options

Additional Provincial Streams

Applicants can also consider other OINP pathways if they meet the requirements.

There are two types of streams:

Enhanced Streams (connected to Express Entry):

• Human Capital Priorities
• French-Speaking Skilled Worker

Base Streams (not connected to Express Entry):

• Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker
• Employer Job Offer: International Student
• Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills
• Master’s Graduate
• PhD Graduate

However, base streams require candidates to apply through Ontario’s EOI system.

Why Ontario Suspended the Stream

The Main Reason: Widespread Misrepresentation

The OINP discovered large-scale fraud and misrepresentation in Skilled Trades Stream applications. Because of this, officers could not confirm whether applicants truly met the requirements.
As a result, the stream no longer helped Ontario select workers who match labour market needs.

Limited Nomination Spaces in 2025

Furthermore, Ontario received fewer nomination spots for 2025. With a smaller quota, the province must use its spots more carefully. Therefore, it chose to completely shut down the stream that showed the highest misuse.

Final Summary

In short:

• Ontario suspended the Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream.
• It will return and refund all pending applications.
• Applicants can move to the Express Entry Trade Category or apply through other OINP streams.
• Ontario closed the stream due to widespread fraud and limited nomination space in 2025.

Get in touch with us

Receive professional advice on any of your questions regarding Canadian immigration. get in touch with us, experienced immigration consultants from SPS Global. For additional information, contact support@spscanada.com (Canada) or support.amd@spscanada.com (Ahmedabad), or by phone at (1) 905-362-9393 (Canada) or +919586226232 (Ahmedabad).