Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream Opens PR Pathways for CEC Candidates

Ontario’s Express Entry-linked Skilled Trades Stream offers an alternate pathway to Canada permanent residency for Federal Skilled Worker Program and Canadian Experience Class candidates. 

Major requirements under this pathway are: 

• Candidates need to be living in Ontario with a valid work permit.
• They also need to have a minimum of one year of full-time work experience or the equivalent of part-time work.
• They must have completed this work experience in the province in a skilled trade listed in Minor Group 633 or Major Group 72, 73, or 82 under Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC).

Candidates with no job offer can also apply under the Skilled Trades Stream. Contact our immigration experts to learn more. 

Ontario opening up PR pathway for more Express Entry candidates

According to the new 2022-2024 Immigration Levels Plan Canada is expecting to bring in 83,500 immigrants through both Express Entry-aligned and base PNP categories this year. The new targets are greater than what the government projected in the last levels plan, which was 81,500 PNP immigrants for 2022, and 83,000 for 2023.

Ontario’s biggest draw of the year so far was on January 27, when the province invited 1,032 Skilled Trades Stream candidates. On February 23, Ontario held its biggest HCP draw of the year at 773 candidates.

NOIs issued in 2022 to date by OINP

• Human Capital Priorities stream – 1897
• French-Speaking Skilled Worker stream – 206
• Skilled Trades stream – 1850