On September 18, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) completed its first category-based draw of the year for trade occupations through its Express Entry system, issuing 1,250 Invitations to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.

According to official information, candidates invited in this round needed to meet two conditions:

• Have a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of at least 505;
• Have created and submitted their Express Entry profile before 10:36 p.m. Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) on November 5, 2025.

Significant Score Increase Highlights Heightened Competition

The most notable aspect of this draw was its high minimum score of 505. This was the first draw for trade occupations since October 23, 2024. In comparison, the score for last October's draw was only 433, marking a substantial increase of 72 points.

According to immigration experts, a key factor behind the sharp rise in the CRS cut-off is the nearly 11-month gap between draws for this category. This "window" allowed more eligible trade candidates to enter the pool, leading to an accumulation of high-scoring applicants. This, in turn, raised the selection threshold and made this draw exceptionally competitive. In fact, it is uncommon for any Express Entry draw, regardless of category, to have a CRS cut-off score above 500.

Frequent Draws in September as Various Categories Reopen

This trade occupations draw was the sixth Express Entry draw conducted in September, indicating that IRCC is accelerating its pace of invitations. Prior to this, several other draws were held in September, including:

To date, IRCC has issued a total of 61,047 ITAs through the Express Entry system in 2025. Based on this year's distribution, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) remains a primary focus, with 17 draws held. The remaining invitations have been allocated to candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), those with French-language proficiency, and applicants in other priority occupation categories.

Distribution of Express Entry Draws in 2025

Future Outlook: More Invitations for Trade Occupations Expected

Regarding future trends for immigration in the trades, a recently disclosed government document obtained through an Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) request reveals that IRCC projects issuing a total of 3,300 ITAs to trade candidates in the second half of 2025.

Considering that 1,250 invitations have already been issued in this draw, this projection suggests that, if plans remain on track, IRCC will issue an additional 2,050 ITAs to candidates in trade occupations before the end of the year.

However, it is important to note that IRCC reserves the right to adjust its invitation schedule and plans at any time based on its needs, without external oversight. Therefore, the size and frequency of future draws remain subject to change, and candidates are advised to monitor official announcements closely.

Summary of Express Entry draws in 2025