Express Entry Trades Draw 1 October 2026: CRS 476, 3,500 ITAs

The latest Express Entry trades draw took place on 1 October 2026, when Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 3,500 candidates in trade occupations to apply for permanent residence. The lowest-ranked invited candidate had a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 476, according to IRCC’s official rounds data.

Key facts

• Round number 447, held on 1 October 2026, was labelled “Trades Occupations, 2026-Version 3”.
• Invitations issued: 3,500.
• Minimum CRS score: 476.
• Tie-breaking rule: candidates with 476 points were invited only if they created their profile before 28 May 2026 at 16:55:23 UTC.
• The draw came two days after a Canadian Experience Class round on 29 September 2026 that needed a CRS of 518.

What changed

This is a new invitation round, not a rule change. Canada uses “category-based” rounds to invite people with experience in specific jobs. Trades is one of 10 categories IRCC is using in 2026. Others include healthcare and social services, French-language proficiency, STEM, education and transport.

The trades cut-off of 476 is far lower than the score needed in recent Canadian Experience Class (CEC) rounds. In September 2026, the three CEC rounds needed 521, 519 and 518 points. For a candidate in an eligible trade, this gap matters. A profile that would not be picked in a CEC round can still be picked in a trades round.

The draw size was also large. The 3,500 invitations match the size of the healthcare and social services round held on 4 September 2026.

Who is affected

The Express Entry trades draw is open only to candidates who meet IRCC’s trade occupations category rules. According to IRCC, you need:

• at least 12 months of full-time work experience (or an equal amount of part-time experience) in a single eligible trade occupation;
• that experience within the past 3 years;
• the experience can be in Canada or abroad, and it does not need to be continuous.

Eligible occupations listed by IRCC include welders and related machine operators (NOC 72106), electricians (except industrial and power system) (NOC 72200), plumbers (NOC 72300), carpenters (NOC 72310), bricklayers (NOC 72320), heavy-duty equipment mechanics (NOC 72401) and heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics (NOC 72402). The full list is on IRCC’s category-based selection page.

You must also be eligible for one of the Express Entry programs and have an active profile in the pool.

What it means for Nepali and Indian workers

Many Nepali and Indian workers in Canada, and in the Gulf, have experience as electricians, welders, plumbers or HVAC mechanics. Because the trades experience can be gained abroad, some workers outside Canada may qualify for this category, as long as they also meet the rules of an Express Entry program.

For international graduates in Canada who now work in a trade, this category can offer a lower CRS route than the general CEC rounds. The key is the exact job code. Your duties must match the NOC description, not just your job title.

If you came to Canada as a student, note that the CRS cut-off for this Express Entry trades draw was 476. For a general explanation of how CRS cut-offs work, see our guide to the Express Entry CRS cut-off in 2026.

What to do now

1. Check your job against the full NOC list on IRCC’s category-based selection page. Compare your actual duties, not your title.
2. Count your trade experience. You need 12 months full-time (or equal part-time) in one eligible occupation within the past 3 years.
3. Confirm you meet the rules of at least one Express Entry program before you create or update a profile.
4. Keep your Express Entry profile accurate and up to date. The tie-break rule rewards profiles created earlier, so do not delay if you are already eligible.
5. Gather reference letters that list your duties, hours and dates. You will need them if you get an invitation.

What we don’t know yet

IRCC does not announce future draw dates or categories in advance. We do not know when the next trades round will happen or how many people will be invited.

Frequently asked questions

What was the CRS score in the Express Entry trades draw on 1 October 2026?

The lowest-ranked invited candidate had 476 points. Candidates with exactly 476 needed a profile created before 28 May 2026 at 16:55:23 UTC.

Do I need Canadian work experience for the trades category?

No. IRCC says the 12 months of trade experience can be in Canada or abroad. It must be in a single eligible occupation within the past 3 years.

Is a job offer required for the Express Entry trades draw?

The category rules on IRCC’s page do not list a job offer as a requirement. You must still meet the rules of an Express Entry program you apply under.

Sources

• Express Entry rounds of invitations data (IRCC, canada.ca)
• Express Entry: Category-based selection (canada.ca)

Last checked: 2 October 2026. This is general information, not immigration advice.