Canada holds first Express Entry draw for trade occupations in 2025

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted another round of invitations under the Express Entry system, targeting candidates in trade occupations.

In this draw, the department issued 1,250 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to eligible candidates. To qualify, applicants were required to meet the following criteria:

• Hold a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 505.

• Have submitted their Express Entry profile before 10:36 p.m. (UTC) on November 5, 2025.

This latest draw highlights Canada’s ongoing focus on attracting skilled workers in the trades sector, a key area supporting the country’s labor market needs and economic growth.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has carried out its first Express Entry draw of the year targeting candidates in the trade occupations category. A total of 1,250 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued, with candidates needing a minimum CRS score of 505 and an Express Entry profile submitted before 10:36 p.m. UTC on November 5, 2025.

This marks the first trade occupations draw since October 23, 2024, when the cut-off score was just 433. The significant increase in the CRS requirement—rising to above 500—is largely attributed to the long gap between draws in this category. With more candidates entering the pool during that period, competition intensified, resulting in a more selective outcome. Notably, very few Express Entry draws across any category have seen CRS cut-offs above 500.

Today’s draw is also the sixth Express Entry round of invitations this month, reflecting a busy schedule for IRCC. It follows several recent draws, including:

• A healthcare occupations draw on September 17, the first in over four months.

• A Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw on September 15.

• A French-language proficiency draw on September 4, which issued 4,500 ITAs.

So far in 2025, IRCC has issued 61,047 ITAs through the Express Entry system. While the majority of these invitations have gone to candidates in the PNP stream, others have been allocated to Canadian Experience Class (CEC) applicants, French-language speakers, and candidates in priority occupation categories.

The latest results highlight how Express Entry continues to evolve as a tool for targeting Canada’s labor market needs—balancing demand for specific occupations while managing overall immigration levels.