Dear future neighbour,
On September 18, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) ran a category-based Express Entry draw for trade occupations, issuing 1,250 Invitations to Apply (ITAs). The lowest-ranked candidate invited in that draw had a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 505.
See below details of September 18 Express Entry draw
-
Date & type: IRCC held a trades-category Express Entry draw on September 18, 2025.
-
Number of ITAs: 1,250 candidates were invited
-
Minimum CRS score: The cut-off (lowest CRS score among invited candidates) was 505.
-
Tie-breaker timestamp: November 5, 2024
Who this draw targeted
IRCC’s trade draws are category-based selections that require candidates to have experience in one of a small set of eligible trade occupations. Candidates needed at least six months’ experience in an eligible trade to be considered.
See the full list of 25 trades-eligible occupations below:
| Occupation | NOC code |
|---|---|
| Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services | 82021 |
| Floor covering installers | 73113 |
| Painters and decorators (except interior decorators) | 73112 |
| Roofers and shinglers | 73110 |
| Concrete finishers | 73100 |
| 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 |
| Cooks | 63200 |
| Construction estimators | 22303 |
How this draw compares to past trade draws
This 505 cut-off is substantially higher than previous trade draws (previous trade cut-offs in 2023–2024 ranged mostly in the high-300s to mid-400s), which makes this round unusually selective for a trade-category draw. Various analysts point to the long gap since the last trades draw (October 2024) and a smaller number of ITAs compared with some past rounds as reasons the cut-off rose.
Summary of Express Entry draws in 2025
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Cut-off CRS score |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 17 | Education | 2,500 | 462 |
| September 15 | Provincial Nominee Program | 228 | 746 |
| September 4 | French language proficiency | 4,500 | 446 |
| September 3 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,000 | 534 |
| September 2 | Provincial Nominee Program | 249 | 772 |
| August 19 | Healthcare and social services | 2,500 | 470 |
| August 18 | Provincial Nominee Program | 192 | 800 |
| August 8 | French language proficiency | 2,500 | 481 |
| August 7 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,000 | 534 |
| August 6 | Provincial Nominee Program | 225 | 739 |
| July 22 | Healthcare and social services | 4,000 | 475 |
| July 21 | Provincial Nominee Program | 202 | 788 |
| July 8 | Canadian Experience Class | 3,000 | 518 |
| July 7 | Provincial Nominee Program | 356 | 750 |
| June 26 | Canadian Experience Class | 3,000 | 521 |
| June 23 | Provincial Nominee Program | 503 | 742 |
| June 12 | Canadian Experience Class | 3,000 | 529 |
| June 10 | Provincial Nominee Program | 125 | 784 |
| June 4 | Healthcare and social services | 500 | 504 |
| June 2 | Provincial Nominee Program | 277 | 726 |
| May 13 | Canadian Experience Class | 500 | 547 |
| May 12 | Provincial Nominee Program | 511 | 706 |
| May 2 | Healthcare and social services | 500 | 510 |
| May 1 | Education | 1,000 | 479 |
| April 28 | Provincial Nominee Program | 421 | 727 |
| April 14 | Provincial Nominee Program | 825 | 764 |
| March 21 | French language proficiency | 7,500 | 379 |
| March 17 | Provincial Nominee Program | 536 | 736 |
| March 6 | French language proficiency | 4,500 | 410 |
| March 3 | Provincial Nominee Program | 725 | 667 |
| February 19 | French language proficiency | 6,500 | 428 |
| February 17 | Provincial Nominee Program | 646 | 750 |
| February 5 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 521 |
| February 4 | Provincial Nominee Program | 455 | 802 |
| January 23 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 527 |
| January 8 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,350 | 542 |
| January 7 | Provincial Nominee Program | 471 | 793 |
What this means for trade candidates
-
If you’re in the Express Entry pool and in a listed trade occupation: a CRS of ~505 or higher would have been needed to receive an ITA in this round; if your score is lower, consider improvements (language test upgrades, additional qualifying work experience, education, or a provincial nomination).
-
Tie-break preparedness: if your CRS equals a published cut-off, IRCC uses the profile submission date/time to decide who receives an ITA — updating your profile doesn’t change your original submission timestamp. Make sure you know the exact timestamp on your profile.
Practical next steps (if this affects you)
-
Confirm your NOC/occupation matches one of the eligible trades listed for this draw
-
If your CRS is close to 505, consider: retaking language tests, getting an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) if not done, gaining additional verified work experience, or pursuing a provincial nomination.
-
If you already received an ITA — submit a complete PR application within IRCC’s time limit and gather medicals, police checks, and supporting documents immediately.
Need help with your Canadian immigration process?
Whether you’re applying for a visitor visa, submitting a work permit or visa application, creating an Expression of Interest (EOI), setting up an Express Entry or Provincial Nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an Invitation to Apply, or simply want a professional review of your self-prepared application, we’re here to assist you.
Schedule a consultation or contact us at:
info@eseumohimmigration.com