OINP: Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream

For English tests, we accept:

• International English Language Testing (IELTS) – we only accept the General Training test
• Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) – we only accept the General test

For French tests, we accept:

• Test d’évaluation de français pour le Canada (TEF)
• Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada (TCF Canada)

Learn more about the English and French language tests.

5. Settlement funds

You must have enough money to support yourself and your dependent family members when you settle in Canada.

Note that a family member includes your spouse, common law partner and children under the age of 22, including their children.

You can meet this requirement through one or a combination of any of the following:

• funds as demonstrated by the balance listed in bank statements, or statements of accounts showing other investments such as non-locked in, fixed term deposits, mutual funds, etcetera
• annual earnings from ongoing employment in Ontario
• a job offer in Ontario

Learn more about the amount of money you must have available to apply (see ‘How much money you’ll need’).

Example: You have checked how much money you must have available and, based on your family size, you must have $29,000 (CAD). You have a job offer in Ontario with an annual wage of $25,000 and you have a balance of $5,000 in your savings account for a total of $30,000. By using a combination of your job offer and bank statement, you would meet the settlements fund requirement.

Note: if you provide bank statements that include a one-time large deposit, we may ask you to provide additional documentation to support that your funds are free of debt or liability.

6. Intention to live in Ontario

You must intend to live in Ontario after you’re granted permanent residence. We determine this by examining your ties to Ontario, which can include things like:

• working or have worked in Ontario
• getting job offers or applying/ interviewing for jobs
• studying
• volunteering
• leasing or owning property
• visiting
• having professional networks and affiliations, family ties and personal relationships

Supporting documents

You must provide supporting documents to validate the information in your application and to prove you meet the eligibility criteria.

All supporting documents must be scanned and uploaded in your online application. Refer to the document checklist for Ontario’s Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream for a list of mandatory documents.

If a supporting document is not in English or French, you must provide a copy of the original document and a notarized translation of the document. Please read Document translation and notarization for more information.

Cost to apply

The application fee is $1,500 and covers the cost of processing your application.

We only accept Visa, Visa Debit, Mastercard and Mastercard Debit.

Refunds

We will only refund the fee if we find that your application is incomplete or you withdraw your application before we start processing it.

We will not refund the fee if your application is unsuccessful.

You can check the status of your application through your account in the OINP e-Filing Portal.

Use a representative to apply

Authorizing a paid representative to assist you can be helpful but is not necessary. If you choose to use a representative, please follow the steps on how to appoint one. This will ensure you retain access to, and control of, your online application and allow you to change or end your authorization if need be.

Submit an application

Before you start, make sure you:

1. Meet all the necessary requirements under Ontario’s Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream
2. Have your credit card ready (we only accept Visa, Visa Debit, Mastercard and Mastercard Debit)
3. Have your supporting documents (in English or French) scanned and ready to upload
4. Read the application instructions (important)

Application instructions

Once you click “Submit an application”:

1. Choose whether you are a returning user or a new applicant
2. Choose Ontario’s Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream
3. If you are a new applicant you must pre-register with your name and date of birth (not required if you are already registered)
4. Log into your ONe-key account. If you do not have one, click “Sign up now!”
5. Once you’ve logged into your ONe-key account, you will be sent back to the OINP e-Filing Portal
6. Create a profile in the OINP e-Filing Portal
7. Once you’ve completed your profile, click “Finish” and you will be sent to your main page in the e-Filing Portal
8. Click on the file number beside the Skilled Trades Stream to begin your application

Please note: It takes about three hours to complete your application. You don’t have to do it all at once, but you must submit your application within 45 calendar days of receiving your NOI from Ontario.

After you apply

After you (or your representative) submit your application, you will get an email to confirm that we have received it.