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IRCC Express Entry Draw #368 Issues 1,250 ITAs for Trade Occupations

Canada Conducts First Express Entry Draw for Trade Occupations in 2025

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    First Express Entry Draw for Trade Occupations in 2025

    Canada has hit immigration milestones by making the first Express Entry draw for trade occupations in 2025. The draw by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) was made in the course of the week and issued 1,250 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for candidates under the trade occupations stream on 18th September.

    Besides reopening trade-specific draws after almost a year of inactivity, this event is also the sixth Express Entry of September and highlights IRCC’s steadily aggressive approach to fulfilling labor requirements.

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    Summary of Express Entry Draws in 2025

    Results: Rounds of invitations

    • Trade occupations (Version 2)
    • Number of ITAs: 1,250
    • Date and time of round: September 18, 2025 at 13:53:39 UTC
    • CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 505
    • Tie-breaking rule: November 05, 2024 at 22:36:09 UTC

    If more than one candidate has the lowest score, the cut-off is based on the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profiles.

    Invitations to apply to the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class and Federal Skilled Trades Program may be issued through this round of invitations.

    This is the first trade-related draw since October 2024, when the threshold was significantly lower at 433. The higher threshold in this round is proof of the accumulation of candidates over time in the pool, which has increased the competitive spirit of the selection.
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    September 2025: A Very Active Month for Express Entry

    Since six draws have taken place already, September has proven to be the busiest month of the year for Express Entry. So far, the draws released are:
    All of these six draws collectively signify that IRCC is keen to diversify the selection of candidates by aiming at different streams, including French language, education, healthcare, and trading occupations.
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    Total Express Entry ITAs for 2025

    Following the latest draw, the total of ITAs issued under Express Entry for 2025 has come to 65,547.

    Collectively, the total depicts the continuous pattern towards Canada’s aggressive immigration targets and strategy to prioritize human capital and even labour market requirements for selected sectors.

    Focus on Trade Careers in 2025

    Trade occupations represent the heart of the Canadian workforce, especially in industry, construction, and industry-related services. IRCC is going to grant 3,300 ITAs to trade occupation aspirants in the second half of 2025, internal documents obtained recently indicate.
    That total, from 1,250 to date issued for the ongoing round, translates to roughly 2,050 more ITAs that can be anticipated by year’s end from trade-based aspirants.

    Category-Based Draws for 2025 up to Now

    Express Entry for 2025 has seen draws in several of its higher-priority streams. Draw breakdown is below:

    The draws are now divided as follows:

    • PNP : 17 draws
    • CEC : 9 drawings
    • French-language skills : 5 draws
    • Healthcare and social services : 4 draws
    • Education: 2 draw
    • Trade Occupations : 1
    The multi-category scheme can accommodate different priority sectors, such as regional manpower needs and greater representation of the French-speaking community.

    Healthcare-Specific Rounds in 2025

    The August 19 draw was the latest in a series of healthcare draws this year. Earlier rounds were:

    • July 22: 4,000 invitations, CRS 475.
    • June 4: 500 invitations, CRS 504.
    • May 2: 500 invitations, CRS 510.
    By announcing progressively larger rounds of draws for health care and social work, Canada is ensuring its commitment to meet the critical gaps in employees at hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes.

    Summary of Express Entry Draws in 2025

    Below is a snapshot of all Express Entry draws conducted so far this year:
    • Canadian Experience Class (CEC) : 20,850
    • Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) : 6,947
    • French language proficiency: 25,500
    • Education Professionals 3,500
    • Healthcare and social services occupations 7,500
    • Trade occupations (Version 2) 1,250
    Draw Date Draw Type Number of ITAs Minimum CRS
    368 September 18 Trade occupations 1,250 505
    367 September 17 Education occupations 2,500 462
    366 September 15 PNP 228 746
    365 September 04 French language proficiency 4,500 446
    364 September 03 CEC 1,000 534
    363 September 02 PNP 249 772
    362 August 19 Healthcare and social services 2,500 470
    361 August 18 PNP 192 800
    360 August 08 French language proficiency 2,500 481
    359 August 07 CEC 1,000 534
    358 August 06 PNP 225 739
    357 July 22 Healthcare and social services occupations (Version 2) 4,000 475
    356 July 21 PNP 202 788
    355 July 08 CEC 3,000 518
    354 July 07 PNP 356 750
    353 June 26 CEC 3,000 521
    352 June 23 PNP 503 742
    351 June 12 CEC 3,000 529
    350 June 10 Provincial Nominee Program 125 784
    349 June 04 Healthcare and social services 500 504
    348 June 02 PNP 277 726
    347 May 13 CEC 500 547
    346 May 12 PNP 511 706
    345 May 02 Healthcare and social Services Occupations 500 510
    344 May 01 Education Professionals 1,000 479
    343 April 28 PNP 421 727
    342 April 14 PNP 825 764
    341 March 21 French language 7,500 379
    340 March 17 PNP 536 736
    339 March 06 French language 4,500 410
    338 March 03 PNP 725 667
    337 February 19 French language 6,500 428
    336 February 17 PNP 646 750
    335 February 05 CEC 4,000 521
    334 February 04 PNP 455 802
    333 January 23 CEC 4,000 527
    332 January 8 CEC 1,350 542
    331 January 7 PNP 471 793

    As of September 18, a total of 65,547 ITAs have been issued through the Express Entry system in 2025.

    Express Entry Draw Reports

    Number of Express Entry Draws by Category This Year:

    The Provincial Nominee Program category of the Express Entry categories leads the trend with the highest number of 14 rounds, followed by the Canadian Experience Class with 8 rounds. Also, IRCC has conducted 3 rounds each for French-speaking candidates and healthcare professionals. A single draw was also held for individuals in the education sector.

    Draw Type Number of Draws
    Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) 14
    Canadian Experience Class (CEC) 8
    French-language proficiency 4
    Healthcare and social services 3
    Education 1

    The trend since June 10, 2025, reveals a pattern of alternating draws between PNP and CEC categories roughly every two weeks. Additionally, healthcare-focused draws have taken place monthly since May, reflecting IRCC’s commitment to addressing sector-specific shortages in Canada’s healthcare system.

    Current Express Entry Trends and Category Breakdown

    With the latest draw, the healthcare and social services category now joins a growing list of specialized selection categories implemented this year. The distribution of draws in 2025 highlights a more nuanced approach to selecting candidates who meet Canada’s urgent labour and demographic needs.

    Draw Type Number of Draws
    Provincial Nominee Program 7
    French-language proficiency 3
    Canadian Experience Class 3
    Education 1
    Healthcare and social services 1

    What It Means for Candidates

    The latest trade opens up new opportunities for qualified labour in fundamental trades such as electricians, carpenters, mechanics, and various other in-demand jobs. However, the higher CRS threshold means that only highly competitive applicants will be approved in early rounds of the year. With additional draws to come, these pool hopefuls need to upgrade their profiles—via language proficiency, extra work experience, or provincial nomination—in the hope of standing out.

    Key Points

    • PNP Dominance - With 17 draws this year, PNP remains the most frequent selection category, showing strong provincial influence in Canada’s immigration targets
    • CEC Still Going Strong - There are nine rounds total being held aside for candidates with Canadian work experience, leaving doors open to temporary workers and recent graduates.
    • French-Language Opportunities - Draws for French-speaking candidates are granting thousands of ITAs, aligning with Canada’s bilingualism goals.
    • Sector-Specific Offers - Special immigration rounds specifically for education and healthcare professionals reaffirm Canada's intentions to tackle labor shortages in critical areas.
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    Conclusion

    First of the year trade-specific Express Entry draw brings to life this important immigration stream and validates Canada’s coordinated approach of filling labour requirements in strategic industries.
    It is the sixth September draw, and it reinforces what has otherwise been a busy month for immigration, with more than 61,000 ITAs having been issued thus far in 2025. Trade stream candidates can look forward to more opportunities in the coming months, as IRCC continues to work towards meeting its aggressive immigration targets for the year.

    Stay tuned for future updates on Express Entry draws and immigration news.

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