The latest Express Entry draw on October 1, 2026, has brought a major new round of invitations for skilled tradespeople seeking permanent residence in Canada.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada issued 3,500 invitations to apply in Express Entry draw #447, targeting candidates eligible under the Trades Occupations category.
The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score was 476, making this the second Trades-specific Express Entry draw of 2026 and one of the most significant category-based rounds held this year.
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October 1 Express Entry Draw Update
The latest Express Entry draw was held on October 1, 2026 at 12:47:55 UTC. Here are the complete results:
| Draw detail | October 1 result |
|---|---|
| Express Entry draw number | 447 |
| Category | Trades Occupations, 2026-Version 3 |
| Invitations issued | 3,500 |
| Minimum CRS score | 476 |
| Rank required | 3,500 or above |
| Date and time | October 1, 2026 at 12:47:55 UTC |
| Tie-breaking rule | May 28, 2026 at 16:55:23 UTC |
Candidates needed to qualify for the Trades Occupations category as well as meet the requirements of at least one immigration program managed through Express Entry.
IRCC uses the tie-breaking rule when multiple eligible candidates have the lowest CRS score selected in the round.
For candidates at exactly 476, only qualifying profiles submitted on or before May 28, 2026 at 16:55:23 UTC fell within the invitation range.
Who Qualifies For The Express Entry Trades Occupations Category?
IRCC currently lists Trade occupations as one of the categories used for category-based Express Entry selection.
To qualify for this category, candidates must first meet the minimum requirements for Express Entry and be eligible for one of the programs managed through the system.
These include the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program and Canadian Experience Class.
Candidates must also have accumulated at least 12 months of full-time work experience, or an equivalent amount of part-time experience, within the previous three years in a single eligible Trades occupation.
The qualifying experience does not need to be continuous and may have been obtained in Canada or abroad.
Importantly, the eligible trade occupation does not necessarily have to be the candidate’s primary occupation.
IRCC currently lists the following occupations for the Trades category:
| Eligible occupation | NOC 2021 |
|---|---|
| Construction estimators | 22303 |
| Construction managers | 70010 |
| Home building and renovation managers | 70011 |
| Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors | 72100 |
| Sheet metal workers | 72102 |
| Welders and related machine operators | 72106 |
| Electricians, except industrial and power system | 72200 |
| Industrial electricians | 72201 |
| Plumbers | 72300 |
| Gas fitters | 72302 |
| Carpenters | 72310 |
| Cabinetmakers | 72311 |
| Bricklayers | 72320 |
| Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics | 72400 |
| Heavy-duty equipment mechanics | 72401 |
| Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics | 72402 |
| Electrical mechanics | 72422 |
| Water well drillers | 72501 |
| Other technical trades and related occupations | 72999 |
| Concrete finishers | 73100 |
| Roofers and shinglers | 73110 |
| Painters and decorators, except interior decorators | 73112 |
| Floor covering installers | 73113 |
| Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services | 82021 |
| Butchers, retail and wholesale | 63201 |
IRCC’s current category-based selection requirements should be checked before relying on an occupation as qualifying because category lists and eligibility requirements can change.
Why Canada Is Targeting Skilled Trades Through Express Entry
Trades remain one of Canada’s designated categories for category-based Express Entry selection.
IRCC says category-based selection allows the department to identify candidates whose experience corresponds with particular economic priorities and labour-market needs.
For 2026, Trades remains among the categories intended to help address longer-term labour shortages.
Examples include occupations in construction, mechanical trades, electrical trades, welding, plumbing and related technical occupations.
The federal government has also identified skilled trades as relevant to construction and housing-related labour needs.
Category-based selection does not create a separate permanent residence program.
Instead, eligible candidates must first qualify through the normal Express Entry system and then satisfy the additional requirements of the selected category.
What Invited Candidates Should Do Next
Receiving an invitation to apply is an important step, but it does not mean permanent residence has already been approved.
IRCC gives invited Express Entry candidates 60 days to submit their complete permanent residence application.
Candidates should verify every factor that contributed to their eligibility and CRS score before submitting their application.
This includes employment history, NOC classification, language test results, education, Canadian work experience where applicable, marital status and other information contained in the Express Entry profile.
Trades-category candidates should pay particular attention to documentation proving their qualifying work experience.
The actual duties performed should correspond with the NOC occupation being claimed.
An occupational title by itself is not sufficient if the duties and employment evidence do not support the selected NOC.
Candidates should also verify that passports, police certificates, medical examination requirements and other supporting documents are complete and current.
Candidates who were not invited should not interpret the CRS cutoff of 476 as a permanent target.
The next Trades round could have a higher or lower score depending on invitation volume and the composition of eligible profiles.
The October 1 result does, however, provide an important new reference point after the previous Trades draw in April.
That April round invited 3,000 candidates at CRS 477. The latest round increased invitations to 3,500 while lowering the cutoff marginally to 476.
Candidates who are close to this range should continue keeping their profiles accurate and look for legitimate opportunities to improve their CRS scores.
Candidates may also qualify under more than one Express Entry category, meaning eligibility for Trades does not necessarily prevent selection through another type of future round.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can work experience gained outside Canada count for the Express Entry Trades category?
Yes, qualifying work experience for the Trades category can be gained in Canada or abroad. Candidates need at least 12 months of full-time work experience, or an equivalent amount of part-time experience, within the previous three years in one eligible trade occupation.
Can someone with a CRS score above 476 still miss an invitation?
Yes, a CRS score above 476 does not automatically guarantee an invitation. Candidates also had to qualify for the Trades Occupations category and meet the requirements of at least one immigration program managed through Express Entry.
Does the eligible trade have to be the candidate’s primary occupation?
No, the qualifying trade occupation does not necessarily have to be the candidate’s primary occupation. What matters is whether the candidate has the required recent work experience in one of the occupations currently listed by IRCC for the Trades category.
What if a candidate’s job title matches an eligible trade but their actual duties do not?
A matching job title alone is not enough. The work performed should correspond with the duties of the NOC occupation being claimed, and candidates should have supporting employment records that accurately reflect their experience.
Can a candidate qualify for more than one Express Entry category?
Yes, a candidate may be eligible under more than one Express Entry category or program-specific selection. Being eligible for the Trades category does not prevent someone from being considered in another type of Express Entry round if they meet that round’s requirements.
Fact-Checked: The October 1, 2026 Express Entry round was verified as Trades Occupations, 2026-Version 3, with 3,500 invitations, a CRS cutoff of 476, and a May 28, 2026 tie-breaking timestamp. Current eligibility rules were checked against IRCC’s official Express Entry category-based selection information. The April 2 comparison was verified against the official ministerial instructions for Express Entry draw #408.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about the Express Entry system and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. Candidates should verify their individual eligibility and application requirements directly with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
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