Express Entry Prioritizes New Trade Occupations

If you’re working in a skilled trade, now is a great time to consider immigrating to Canada. Recent changes to the Express Entry system mean that applicants with experience in trade occupations are more likely to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence.

On February 27, 2025, Canada introduced major updates to its Express Entry program—most notably, changes to the Trade Occupations category. These updates saw 19 new occupations added and four removed, making the Trade category the most significantly expanded of all.

2025 Trade Category: A Major Expansion

The Trade category has seen the largest growth in eligible occupations this year. It now includes 25 occupations, the highest total among all category-based selections. This change opens new doors for skilled workers in a wide variety of trades.

Updated List of Eligible Trade Occupations

Here’s the complete list of occupations currently eligible under the Trade category, along with their 2021 National Occupation Classification (NOC) codes. The occupations newly added in 2025 are highlighted in bold:

Note: Apprentices in these trades often perform most of the duties associated with their occupation, so apprenticeship experience generally counts toward eligibility.

How to Confirm If Your Job is Eligible

To be eligible under the Trade category, you must meet the minimum requirements for Express Entry and have at least six months of full-time, continuous work experience (or the equivalent in part-time hours) in one of the occupations listed above within the past three years.

Step-by-Step Guide to Check Eligibility

1. Search for your NOC Code
   Visit the Government of Canada’s NOC website and use the “Filter items” search bar to find NOC codes that closely match your job title and duties. Try searching various title keywords for the most accurate match.
2. Verify the NOC Description
   Go to the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) website and check the duties under the “Search by NOC Code” tab. Your job must align with the lead statement and involve many of the listed responsibilities to qualify.
3. Match the NOC with the Trade Category Table
   Once you’ve confirmed your NOC code, compare it to the eligible list above. If it’s listed, you may be eligible to apply under the Trade category.

Important: The six months of work experience must be in a single occupation. You cannot combine experience from multiple trades (e.g., 2 months in one and 4 months in another).

Alternate Job Titles for Newly Added Occupations

Not sure if your title fits? Below are examples of job titles that fall under the newly added occupations in the Trade category:

How Category-Based Express Entry Draws Improve Your Chances

One of the most valuable aspects of qualifying under a category-based Express Entry draw—like the Trade category—is the lower CRS score requirement.

CRS Score Comparison (2024 Data)

• General draws: CRS cut-offs ranged between 524 and 549
• Trade occupation draws: CRS cut-offs ranged between 433 and 436

This clearly shows that candidates in trade occupations could receive an ITA even with a much lower CRS score than typically required in general or Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws.

Conclusion: A Golden Opportunity for Skilled Tradespeople

If you have recent work experience in any of the listed trades, this could be your best opportunity yet to gain Canadian permanent residence. With a broader range of eligible jobs and lower CRS requirements in category-based draws, the path to immigration is more accessible than ever for tradespeople.

Check your eligibility, find your NOC code, and take the next step toward building your future in Canada.