Bad news for international graduates and other work permit holders working in Ontario in skilled trades and hoping for permanent residency via OINP Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream as Ontario has suspended this stream.
OINP has not yet officially announced it yet but this notification can be see on the new OINP e-filing portal. If you have old portal you won’t see it. This is very devastating and frustrating for people working in trades in Ontario.
Why OINP Suspended Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream
OINP has recently made several changes to its OINP programs and there are many applicants who are waiting from 2-3 years on the processing of their applications. There were also protests at Ottawa against this long OINP processing delays and this was in news recently.
The primary factor is 50% reduction of PNP allocation by federal government from 21,500 nominations in 2024 to 10,750 nomination in 2025. OINP has stated this is a temporary measure means OINP can restore this very soon.
In the recent Immigration plan 2026-2028 ,IRCC has maintained its immigration numbers at 380,000 per annum and significant boost (66%) to PNP allocation. We hope this PNP boost may lead OINP to restore this OINP program in early next year 2026.
How OINP Suspension Will Effect Applicants
This Ontario Express Entry skilled trades suspension is for new applicants , people who have applications under processing are not impacted from this update. The main advantage of this stream is it’s not dependent on Employer job offer.
Applicants can apply under other OINP streams to get their PR as other streams are open which are:
- Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream
- Employer Job Offer: International Student stream
- Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills stream
Applicants who have valid Express Entry profile you are still eligible under Express Entry Human Capital Priorities stream, majority of time healthcare worker are invited under this stream.
Skilled workers don’t loose your hope, you may still get PR under Express Entry Skilled trades draw, it was in the IRCC news channels that cooks will removed from trades occupations in 2026 which will bring the CRS way down.
