On September 18, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted Express Entry Draw #368, the first category-based draw of 2025 focused on Trade Occupations. This round issued 1,250 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 505. The tie-breaking rule was November 5, 2024, at 22:36:09 UTC.
Draw Details at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Date of Draw | September 18, 2025 |
| Program / Category | Trade Occupations (Category-Based) |
| Invitations Issued | 1,250 |
| Minimum CRS Score | 505 |
| Tie-Breaking Rule | November 5, 2024 at 22:36:09 UTC |
Why This Draw Matters
1. Return of the Trade Occupations Stream
This is the first trade-specific draw in nearly a year, highlighting renewed attention on skilled trade workers in Canada’s immigration strategy.
2. Higher CRS Threshold
The cutoff of 505 represents a significant jump compared to previous trade draws, indicating greater competition and stronger profiles in the applicant pool.
3. Smaller Invitation Size
With 1,250 ITAs, this round was relatively modest in size compared to other category draws, suggesting IRCC is being selective while still prioritizing trades.
Eligible Trade Occupations
Here are some of the trade occupations considered under this draw:
| NOC Code | Occupation |
| 72310 | Carpenters |
| 72400 | Construction millwrights & industrial mechanics |
| 72014 | Contractors & supervisors (construction trades, installers, repairers, servicers) |
| 72200 | Electricians (except industrial & power system) |
| 72402 | Heating, refrigeration & A/C mechanics |
| 73200 | Residential & commercial installers & servicers |
| 72106 | Welders & related machine operators |
| 72406 | Elevator constructors & mechanics |
| 72300 | Plumbers |
| … | Other skilled trades included in this category |
What This Means for Candidates
- CRS 505 is highly competitive: Candidates will need strong language scores, solid work experience, and often trade certifications to reach this level.
- Improvement strategies: Those slightly below the threshold should consider retaking language exams, gaining more work experience, or obtaining recognized trade credentials.
- Documentation matters: Proof of work experience, certifications, and trade qualifications will be closely assessed—having these ready is critical.
- Future potential: With renewed focus on trades, more draws in this category may follow, so staying prepared will give candidates an edge.
Next Steps for Applicants
- Evaluate your CRS score and check if you meet the trade occupation requirements.
- Boost your profile through language, education, or additional work experience.
- Ensure readiness of all required documents to act quickly on an ITA.
- Explore alternate pathways such as PNPs or other category-based draws if your CRS is below the cutoff.
Earnest Immigration Can Help
At Earnest Immigration, we provide full support for trade-occupation candidates, including:
- Assessing eligibility under Express Entry trade draws
- Guiding you through provincial nomination opportunities in trades
- Helping raise your CRS through profile optimization
- Preparing strong applications with complete documentation
Get in touch with Earnest Immigration today to explore your options and secure your path to Canadian permanent residency.
