Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has conducted a new Express Entry draw, issuing 1,250 Invitations to Apply to candidates in the trade occupations category.
To qualify for this round, candidates needed to:
- Have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 505
- Submit their Express Entry profile before November 5, 2025
This is a major update for skilled trade professionals wishing to immigrate to Canada, as it is the first trade occupations draw of 2025.
A Significant Increase in CRS Cut-Offs
The previous draw for this category, held on October 23, 2024, utilized a somewhat lower CRS cut-off of 433.
The last round’s sharp increase to 505 is due to the long time between trade drawings, which allowed more candidates to congregate in the pool. To control the competitive demand, the IRCC raised the cut-off score.
The fact that Express Entry draws hardly ever had CRS requirements higher than 500 shows how selective this round was.
Context of Recent Express Entry Draws
This marks the sixth draw of the month, coming after:
- A healthcare occupations draw on September 17 (the first one in over four months)
- A Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw on September 15
- A large French-language draw on September 4, which invited 4,500 candidates
So far in 2025, IRCC has issued 61,047 ITAs across multiple categories. The focus has largely been on PNP candidates, followed by those in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), candidates with French-language proficiency, and individuals in key priority occupation categories like healthcare, education, and trades.
Here’s a quick breakdown of draws this year:
(CEC) Canadian Experience Class – 9
(PNP) Provincial Nominee Program – 17
French-language proficiency – 5
Healthcare & Social Services – 4
Education – 2
Trade – 1
What to Expect for Trade Occupations in 2025
According to a recently released Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) report, IRCC is expected to issue a total of 3,300 ITAs for trade occupations in the second half of 2025.
Since 1,250 have already been issued in the most recent draw, this suggests there could be around 2,050 more ITAs coming for candidates in this category before the end of the year.
Of course, it’s important to remember that IRCC can change its draw schedule and allocations at any time, without formal oversight. However, competent trade professionals should anticipate more possibilities this year if this projection comes to pass.
What This Means for Candidates
If you’re a skilled worker in the trades and have not yet created an Express Entry profile, now is the time to act. Being in the pool increases your chances of getting an invitation, as more drawings are anticipated.
Our specialty at Rio Immigration is assisting applicants in maximizing their CRS score, navigating the Express Entry system, and investigating alternate routes like Provincial Nominee Programs in order to increase their chances of success.
📞 Contact us today to discuss your eligibility and immigration options.
