IRCC has invited 1,250 candidates in the first Express Entry draw of 2025 targeting trade occupations.
Candidates needed a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of at least 505 to qualify. This is much higher than the last trade draw in October 2024, which had a cut-off of 433. The increase reflects the long gap between draws and the larger number of candidates now in the pool.
So far in 2025, more than 61,000 invitations have been issued through Express Entry, with most going to Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates, as well as Canadian Experience Class (CEC), French-language, and other priority categories.
Government data suggests another 2,000 invitations for trade occupations could still be issued before the end of the year, though IRCC may change its plans at any time.
