Express Entry: Canada Launches 2025’s First Draw For Trade Jobs

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued 1,250 invitations to apply (ITA) through its Express Entry system. This draw marks the first selection in 2025 for candidates in the trade occupations category.

To qualify, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 505. They also had to submit an Express Entry profile before 10:36 p.m. UTC on November 5, 2025.

This draw comes almost a year after the previous trade occupations selection, held on October 23, 2024, which had a CRS cut-off of 433. The higher score this year reflects the long gap between draws, allowing more candidates to enter the pool. Few Express Entry draws have surpassed a 500 CRS cut-off so far.

Express Entry so far in 2025

This year, IRCC has issued 61,047 ITAs. Most draws focused on the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Other selections targeted candidates in the Canadian Experience Class, those with French-language skills, healthcare professionals, and now trade occupations.

So far, 2025 draws include:

• 17 PNP draws
  
• 9 Canadian Experience Class draws
  
• 5 French-language proficiency draws
  
• 4 healthcare and social services draws
  
• 2 education draws
  
• 1 trade occupations draw
  

The recent trade draw is the sixth of September. It follows a healthcare draw on September 17, a PNP draw on September 15, and a French-language draw on September 4.

What’s next for trade candidates?

IRCC plans to issue 3,300 ITAs for trade occupations in the second half of 2025. If this schedule holds, candidates can expect roughly 2,050 more ITAs before year-end. The department may adjust this schedule without prior oversight.

Trade occupations are now increasingly competitive. A CRS score above 500 ensures candidates remain in contention for upcoming draws. Experts advise eligible candidates to keep profiles updated and monitor announcements for future opportunities.

With the Express Entry system, Canada continues to attract skilled workers in priority sectors. Trade professionals now have a chance to apply, reflecting the government’s focus on filling labour gaps in critical occupations.