Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has held its first trade-specific Express Entry draw of 2025. A total of 1,250 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued for selected skilled trades workers eligible under Category-Specific Express Entry draws.
Written & reviewed by Keshav Sharma, RCIC #R530203, Founder, ELAAR Immigration Consulting Inc.Last reviewed: October 20264 min readThe previous trade occupation draw took place on October 23, 2024, with 1,800 ITAs issued and a minimum CRS score of 433. This marks the first draw in this category after an 11-month pause.
The CRS cut-off jumped from 433 to 505, a sharp 16.6% increase in score requirements for trade candidates.
Express Entry Draw Results for Trade Occupations:
- Express Entry Round: #368
- Draw Date: September 18, 2025
- No. of invitations: 1,250
- CRS Cut-off Score: 505
- Tie-breaking rule: November 05, 2024
Why the High CRS Score for Trade Occupations?
The 505 CRS cut-off in the September 2025 trade draw shows a huge change from past rounds. Those rounds usually ranged from 388 to 436. This 16.6% increase over the October 2024 reflects several key factors:
- Extended gap: It’s been 11 months since the last trades-specific draw (October 23, 2024), creating pent-up demand in the pool.
- Reduced ITAs: Only 1,250 invitations were issued in this draw (30.5% fewer than the 1,800 issued previously).
- Tighter competition: With fewer spots and more candidates, the Express Entry pool has become more competitive, pushing scores higher.
- Strategic targeting: Canada is clearly prioritizing highly skilled tradespeople, likely with stronger language scores, certifications, or Canadian experience.
Eligible Trade Occupations for Category-Specific Draws
The draw included 25 skilled trade jobs from different industries, such as construction, electrical work, maintenance, and food services.
| Occupation | 2021 NOC Code | 2021 TEER Category |
|---|---|---|
| Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling | 82021 | 2 |
| Floor covering installers | 73113 | 3 |
| Painters and decorators (except interior decorators) | 73112 | 3 |
| Roofers and shinglers | 73110 | 3 |
| Concrete finishers | 73100 | 3 |
| Other technical trades and related occupations | 72999 | 2 |
| Water well drillers | 72501 | 2 |
| Electrical mechanics | 72422 | 2 |
| Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics | 72402 | 2 |
| Heavy-duty equipment mechanics | 72401 | 2 |
| Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics | 72400 | 2 |
| Bricklayers | 72320 | 2 |
| Cabinetmakers | 72311 | 2 |
| Carpenters | 72310 | 2 |
| Gas fitters | 72302 | 2 |
| Plumbers | 72300 | 2 |
| Industrial electricians | 72201 | 2 |
| Electricians (except industrial and power system) | 72200 | 2 |
| Welders and related machine operators | 72106 | 2 |
| Sheet metal workers | 72102 | 2 |
| Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors | 72100 | 2 |
| Home building and renovation managers | 70011 | 0 |
| Construction managers | 70010 | 0 |
| Cooks | 63200 | 3 |
| Construction estimators | 22303 | 2 |
CRS Trends in Express Entry Trade Draws (2023–2025)
Between 2023 and 2025, Canada’s Express Entry draws for trade occupations have shown a clear upward trend in CRS cut-off scores.
| Date | CRS Cut-off | ITAs Issued |
|---|---|---|
| August 2023 | 388 | 1,500 |
| December 2023 | 425 | 1,000 |
| July 2024 | 436 | 1,800 |
| October 2024 | 433 | 1,800 |
| September 2025 | 505 | 1,250 |
Ready to Apply for Express Entry?
Book a ConsultationNext Steps for ITA Recipients
Successful candidates have 60 days to submit their complete permanent residence application through the IRCC portal. Essential requirements include:
- Comprehensive documentation of trade experience
- Educational credential assessments
- Language proficiency test results
- Medical examinations
- Police clearance certificates
- Proof of funds
Maximizing Future Opportunities
For candidates preparing for upcoming trades draws, focus on these key areas:
Strengthen Your CRS Score
- Improve language test scores (IELTS/CELPIP for English, TEF/TCF for French)
- Gain additional work experience in eligible trades
- Consider pursuing relevant educational credentials
Strategic Profile Management
- Submit your Express Entry profile early to benefit from tie-breaking rules
- Ensure your work experience aligns precisely with eligible NOC codes
- Maintain updated documentation and certifications
Take Professional Help From Licensed Consultants
Ready to explore your Canadian immigration options? At Elaar Immigration, our experienced consultants stay current with the latest Express Entry developments and can help assess your profile’s competitiveness.
Contact us today for a personalized consultation and take the first step toward building your future in Canada.
Trending Stories
Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) for Master’s Graduates: A 2026 Guide
How Many Hours Can International Students Work in Canada? 2026 Rules Explained
IRCC Introduces Cancellation Framework for Temporary Resident Documents
Canada Immigration Levels Plan 2026-2028: New Challenges and Opportunities
French Express Entry: How Francophones Can Get PR With Lower CRS Scores
College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC)
