The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has postponed its Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream, with immediate effect, quoting systematic misrepresentation.
At the moment applicants within the Skilled Trades Stream will not be able to receive a provincial nomination through this pathway.
The province will no longer be taking in new applications to the Express Entry: Skilled Trades Stream and will return all ongoing applications with their application fees refunded.
Alternative OINP pathways
The OINP clearly announced that candidates who submitted an application for the Express Entry Skilled Trades stream may submit new candidate profiles to other OINP streams.
These include both Express Entry-aligned PNP streams, like the Skilled Trades stream, and non-Express Entry-aligned (or base) PNP streams.
Why did Ontario suspend the Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream?
The decision to revoke the Skilled Trades Stream and return all outstanding applications stems from a combination of matters involving program integrity, adherence to regulations, and workforce implications.
An internal review by the OINP revealed significant instances of misrepresentation and potential fraud within the Skilled Trades Stream’s eligibility requirements.
