Considered to be the first ever draw, IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada) has invited candidates under Trades Occupational category through the Express Entry Program in the first week of April.
The Canadian Immigration Department, on April 2, 2026, issued 3,000 ITAs under the trade occupational category, marking the first ever draw under this category. Eligible candidates with invitations to apply (ITAs) are now capable of securing Canada permanent residency. To be eligible under this draw, the candidates must have:
❖ Minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 477
❖ Created an Express Entry candidate profile before 8:53 p.m., Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) on February 14, 2026.
What is Canada Express Entry Trades Category?
Canada Express Entry Trades category is a designated pathway designed to attract skilled workers with experience in trade occupations such as construction, manufacturing, transportation, and maintenance. With the introduction of these categories, Canada aims to address its labour shortage needs and increasing demand under various economic sectors.
List of Eligible Trade Occupations
Canada has also listed occupations under the trade category through which eligible candidates can understand their job duties associated with the occupations. The occupations are listed with their valid NOC code which are as follows:
Occupations | NOC Code | Occupations | NOC Code |
Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services | 82021 | Roofers and shinglers | 73110 |
Floor covering installers | 73113 | Concrete finishers | 73100 |
Painters and decorators (except interior decorators) | 73112 | Other technical trades and related occupations | 72999 |
Water well drillers | 72501 | Electrical mechanics | 72422 |
Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics | 72402 | Heavy-duty equipment mechanics | 72401 |
Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics | 72400 | Bricklayers | 72320 |
Cabinetmakers | 72311 | Carpenters | 72310 |
Gas fitters | 72302 | Plumbers | 72300 |
Industrial electricians | 72201 | Electricians (except industrial and power system) | 72200 |
Welders and related machine operators | 72106 | Sheet metal workers | 72102 |
Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors | 72100 | Home building and renovation managers | 70011 |
Construction managers | 70010 | Butchers - retail and wholesale | 63201 |
Construction estimators | 22303 |
|
|
Canada Express Entry Draws
Canada Express Entry's latest draw under the trade occupational category is considered to be the twentieth draw under the Express Entry program. Below is a complete list of Express Entry draws in 2026 with their respective CRS scores:
Draw Date | Draw Type | CRS Score | ITAs Issued |
April 2, 2026 | Trades | 477 | 3,000 |
March 31, 2026 | Canadian Experience Class | 509 | 2,250 |
March 30, 2026 | Provincial Nominee Program | 802 | 356 |
March 18, 2026 | French Language Proficiency | 393 | 4,000 |
March 17, 2026 | Canadian Experience Class | 507 | 4,000 |
March 16, 2026 | Provincial Nominee Program | 742 | 362 |
March 5, 2026 | Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 429 | 250 |
March 4, 2026 | French Language Proficiency | 397 | 5,500 |
March 3, 2026 | Canadian Experience Class | 508 | 4,000 |
March 2, 2026 | Provincial Nominee Program | 710 | 264 |
February 20, 2026 | Healthcare and Social Services | 467 | 4,000 |
February 19, 2026 | Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 169 | 391 |
February 17, 2026 | Canadian Experience Class | 508 | 6,000 |
February 16, 2026 | Provincial Nominee Program | 789 | 279 |
February 6, 2026 | French Language Proficiency | 400 | 8,500 |
February 3, 2026 | Provincial Nominee Program | 749 | 423 |
January 21, 2026 | Canadian Experience Class | 509 | 6,000 |
January 20, 2026 | Provincial Nominee Program | 746 | 681 |
January 7, 2026 | Canadian Experience Class | 511 | 8,000 |
January 5, 2026 | Provincial Nominee Program | 711 | 574 |
Surprisingly, the latest round of invitations under the Trades category has invited 3,000 applicants, breaking the prior trends of Express Entry draws in 2026. Unlike the draw on March 5, 2026 under the newly introduced category, Senior Managers with Canadian work experience had invited a limited number of candidates i.e., 250. Whereas, with the 3,000 invitations and mere CRS score of 477, Canada aims to prioritize professionals with expertise under the trade occupations. With the continuous shortage of skilled workers under various sectors such as infrastructure, construction, and skilled trade sectors, IRCC aims to attract skilled workers who can support Canadian economic growth.
Canada Express Entry Draws: Future Predictions
Till the first quarter of 2026, IRCC has invited a total of 58,830 ITAs, creating an environment of more category based draws in 2026. Through category based selections, Canada has prioritized workers with expertise, with Canadian work experience, with language proficiency, and with educational qualifications. It is expected in the future Express Entry draws to invite a large number of candidates so as to suffice its labour shortage needs while strengthening its economy. As per the Canada Immigration Level Plan 2026-2028, Canada has increased the limit of allocating permanent residency to candidates at 3,80,000 applications. As a part of the economic immigration target, which has also increased, Canada now intends to strengthen its economy by attracting workers with expertise and skills.
Lastly, Canada Express Entry's latest draw, highlights the country's strong demand for skilled trade professionals. By earning the opportunity of immigrating to Canada on the basis of their skills and experience, eligible candidates may find promising job opportunities and a stable career in the country.
Get All the Immigration Insights from Province Immigration
Now get all the immigration insights from Province Immigration. Be the first to get all the information regarding Canada Express Entry latest draws, Canada PR updates. For more information call us at: +919896196762
