Skilled trades workers have received another major opportunity to become permanent residents of Canada.
On October 1, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held an Express Entry round of invitations for the trades occupations category. A total of 3,500 candidates received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
This was only the second trades-focused draw of 2026, and it was larger than the first one held in April.
The draw at a glance
| Detail | Result |
|---|---|
| Date | October 1, 2026 |
| Round number | #447 |
| Category | Trades occupations |
| Invitations issued | 3,500 |
| Minimum CRS score | 476 |
| Tie-breaking date | Profiles submitted by May 28, 2026 (16:55:23 UTC) |
Who could be invited?
Category-based draws only consider candidates who meet IRCC’s requirements for that category. To be invited in this round, a candidate generally needed to:
- have an active profile in the Express Entry pool;
- be eligible for one of the Express Entry programs (Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class or Federal Skilled Trades);
- meet IRCC’s minimum work experience requirement in an eligible trades occupation on the category list;
- have a CRS score of at least 476.
What does the tie-breaking rule mean?
Some candidates had exactly 476 points. When several people share the cut-off score, IRCC ranks them by the date and time they submitted their profile. In this round, candidates at 476 were invited only if they had submitted their profile on or before May 28, 2026, at 16:55:23 UTC.
How does this draw compare?
The only other trades draw this year took place on April 2, 2026. Compared with that round, the October draw issued 500 more invitations, and the cut-off score dropped by one point.
| Trades draw | Invitations | Minimum CRS |
|---|---|---|
| April 2, 2026 | 3,000 | 477 |
| October 1, 2026 | 3,500 | 476 |
That brings trades invitations to 6,500 so far in 2026.
For wider context, this was the 59th Express Entry draw of the year. More than 135,000 invitations have been issued in 2026. Most rounds have targeted provincial nominees and candidates with Canadian work experience, with regular category-based rounds for French speakers, healthcare workers and trades.
Received an invitation? What happens next
An ITA is an invitation to apply, not an approval. Candidates who were invited generally have 60 days to submit a complete permanent residence application with supporting documents.
Mistakes at this stage can be costly. Before submitting, make sure that:
- the work experience, job duties and occupation code you claimed match your reference letters;
- your language test results and educational credential assessment are still valid;
- every point you claimed on your profile can be proven with documents.
Already working in Canada? Once your application is submitted and meets the requirements, you may be eligible for a bridging open work permit (BOWP), so you can keep working while IRCC processes your PR file. If your current work permit expires while the BOWP application is pending, maintained status generally lets you keep working under the same conditions, as long as you stay in Canada. Eligible family members may also qualify for open work permits.
Not invited this time? What tradespeople can do
If you work in a skilled trade and did not receive an invitation, a few steps can improve your chances in future rounds:
- confirm that your occupation is on IRCC’s current trades category list, and that your work experience meets the category requirement;
- keep your Express Entry profile up to date, including new work experience, a new language test or a change in marital status;
- look for ways to raise your CRS score, such as a stronger language result or a second official language;
- explore Provincial Nominee Programs: a provincial nomination adds 600 points to your CRS score, and several provinces run streams for in-demand trades.
Be careful of false promises
Draw dates, categories and cut-off scores are decided by IRCC and are not announced in advance. No one can guarantee that you will be invited, or predict the exact score of the next draw. Be cautious of anyone who claims they can.
Final note
The October 1 round shows that IRCC continues to use Express Entry to address labour shortages in the skilled trades. With a cut-off of 476, competition remains strong, so a complete, accurate profile and a clear strategy matter.
Received an ITA, or working in a skilled trade and planning your PR?
Contact Nextland Immigration to review your Express Entry and provincial nominee options.
This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Immigration rules change often; please confirm current requirements with IRCC or a licensed professional before applying.
