Canada invites ITAs in the first trades Express Entry draw, i.e., Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has held a new Express Entry draw and issued more invitations to apply (ITAs).

In this round, the department invited 3,000 candidates under the Trades Occupations category. This is the first draw held under this category in 2026.

To qualify for this draw, candidates needed to meet two main conditions:

  • A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 477; and
  • Created an Express Entry profile before 8:53 p.m., Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) on February 14, 2026.

Overview Of Express Entry Draws In 2026

Draw DateDraw TypeCRS Cut-Off ScoreITAs Issued
April 2Trades 4773,000
March 31Canadian Experience Class5092,250
March 30Provincial Nominee Program802356
March 18French-Language proficiency3934,000
March 17Canadian Experience Class5074,000
March 16Provincial Nominee Program742362
March 5Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience429250
March 4French-Language proficiency3975,500
March 3Canadian Experience Class5084,000
March 2Provincial Nominee Program 710264
February 20Healthcare and social services4674,000
February 19Physicians with Canadian work experience169391
February 17Canadian Experience Class5086,000
February 16Provincial Nominee Program789279
February 6French-Language proficiency4008,500
February 3Provincial Nominee Program749423
January 21Canadian Experience Class5096,000
January 20Provincial Nominee Program746681
January 7Canadian Experience Class5118,000
January 5Provincial Nominee Program711574

This latest round is the twentieth Express Entry draw of 2026. It is also the first time this year that candidates in the Trades category have been invited.

Canada has listed trade jobs as a priority in both 2025 and 2026. This shows that there is a strong demand for skilled workers in these roles across the country.

This draw also follows recent updates made in February 2026 to the work experience requirements for trade occupations.

So far in 2026, Express Entry draws have mainly focused on candidates already in Canada. This includes those with Canadian work experience and those nominated by provinces.

Breakdown Of Draw Types In 2026

Draw TypeNumber Of Draws
Provincial Nominee Program7
Canadian Experience Class6
French-Language proficiency3
Physicians with Canadian work experience1
Healthcare and social services1
Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience1
Trades1

In total, IRCC has issued 58,830 ITAs so far in 2026 across different categories.

Total ITAs Issued In 2026

Draw TypeITAs Issued
Canadian Experience Class30,250
French-Language proficiency18,000
Healthcare and social services4,000
Trades3,000
Provincial Nominee Program2,939
Physicians with Canadian work experience391
Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience250

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