The first Express Entry draw under the new Trades Occupation category marks a major development in 2026 Canada immigration. The draw, which targeted candidates with experience in skilled trades, sent out 3,000 ITAs. The draw was conducted by IRCC on 2nd April 2026.
The eligibility for the draw required the candidates to have at least a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 477 and to have created an Express Entry profile before 8:53 p.m. UTC on 14th February, 2026.
This is the twentieth Express Entry draw of 2026, and it is part of Canada’s emphasis on addressing labour shortages. IRCC has identified trades occupations as a priority category for both 2025 and 2026. This shows the high requirement for skilled trades workers in the labour market of Canada.
In 2026, as of now, the Express Entry draws have mostly given importance to the candidates already residing in Canada. The focus was on those having provincial nominations or with Canadian work experience.
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