As it was mentioned before, meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee that you will receive a notification of interest from the OINP. There are also other factors to consider when applying for this opportunity which may or may not be revealed until after the draw has happened.

There are 8 different qualifications you need to meet to be eligible for the Skilled Trades (ST) stream, summarized below:

1. Residence in Ontario

This stream requires that you live in Ontario, and hold a valid Work Permit.

2. Work Experience.

To qualify, candidates must have had one full year of cumulative paid work experience in Canada over the past two years from when they submitted their OINP application. Their work experience does not have to come from just Ontario but it does need to come from within Canada and it does need to correspond with one of these NOC codes.

3. Valid Certificate or Licence.

If your work experience comes from Ontario then you would also require a valid Certificate or Licence that was issued by an appropriate authority – even if you’re no longer currently employed in that trade.

4. Language

You need to score at least CLB5 in either French or English to qualify. You can learn more about the Canadian Language Benchmarks and the authorized language tests in this section.

5. Settlement Funds

You need to own a minimum amount of liquid funds when you apply for this stream – which are determined by how much settlement funds are required under Express Entry – depending on how many family members are accompanying you; these are the amounts.

Here are some differences between Express Entry and the Skills Trade Stream:

If you’re eligible for Expressing Entry, then you don’t need to prove your financial status. Though if it’s the Skills-Trade Stream, then you’ll have to provide proof of funds. For example, if you’re qualified for Express Entry and can work in Ontario and have a job offer already – then no worries about proving financial status or anything like that; but if it’s the Skills-Trade Stream instead, then yes that counts towards your eligibility for financial support when it comes time to relocate here.

6. Intention to settle in Ontario

A series of criteria, including past studies, employment or vacations in the province, family or personal connections to Ontario, etc., will be used to evaluate a potential Ontario immigrant nominee.

7. Legal status in Canada

When applying from inside Canada, you need to have the appropriate legal documentation to prove you are in the country legally – either a Work Permit, a Study Permit, etc.

8. Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program

You need to qualify for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) federal program to be eligible for Stream 2 under the Skilled Workers Overseas category when submitting an application outside of Canada. 

You cannot enter the Express Entry pool and receive a Notification of Interest under the Skilled Trade stream without first being eligible for the federal program.