Canada has conducted its first Express Entry draw under the updated Trades category, marking a key development in the country’s targeted immigration approach for 2026.
In the latest round, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 3,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates working in trade occupations. The draw highlights the increasing importance of skilled trades in addressing labour shortages across Canada.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered in this draw, candidates were required to:
- Have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 477
- Submit their Express Entry profile before 8:53 PM UTC on February 14, 2026
Express Entry Draws Summary for 2026:
| Date | Draw Type | Minimum CRS | Number of ITAs |
| March 31 | Canadian Experience Class | 509 | 2,250 |
| March 30 | Provincial Nominee Program | 802 | 356 |
| March 18 | French Language Proficiency | 393 | 4,000 |
| March 17 | Canadian Experience Class | 507 | 4,000 |
| March 16 | Provincial Nominee Program | 742 | 362 |
| March 5 | Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 429 | 250 |
| March 4 | French Language Proficiency | 397 | 5,500 |
| March 3 | Canadian Experience Class | 508 | 4,000 |
| March 2 | Provincial Nominee Program | 710 | 264 |
| February 20 | Healthcare and social services | 467 | 4,000 |
| February 19 | Physicians with Canadian work experience | 169 | 391 |
| February 17 | Canadian Experience Class | 508 | 6,000 |
| February 16 | Provincial Nominee Program | 789 | 279 |
| February 6 | French Language Proficiency | 400 | 8,500 |
| February 3 | Provincial Nominee Program | 749 | 423 |
| January 21 | Canadian Experience Class | 509 | 6,000 |
| January 20 | Provincial Nominee Program | 746 | 681 |
| January 7 | Canadian Experience Class | 511 | 8,000 |
| January 5 | Provincial Nominee Program | 711 | 574 |
This round represents the 20th Express Entry draw of the year and the first draw under the newly updated Trades category, following changes to work experience requirements introduced in February 2026.
Focus on Trades Occupations
IRCC has identified trades occupations as a priority category for both 2025 and 2026, reflecting strong and ongoing demand in sectors such as construction, transportation, and industrial services.
The introduction of updated eligibility criteria aims to better align candidate selection with labour market needs, making it more accessible for qualified trades professionals to secure permanent residence in Canada.
Express Entry Trends in 2026
Throughout 2026, Express Entry draws have largely focused on candidates already residing in Canada, particularly those with:
- Canadian work experience
- Provincial nominations
The distribution of draw types so far includes:
| Draw Type | Number of Draws |
| Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 7 |
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 6 |
| French-Language Proficiency | 3 |
| Trades | 1 |
| Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 1 |
| Healthcare and Social Services | 1 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 1 |
Total Invitations Issued This Year
As of now, IRCC has issued a total of 58,830 ITAs across multiple categories in 2026:
| Draw Type | Total Number of Invitations |
| Canadian Experience Class | 30,250 |
| French-language proficiency | 18,000 |
| Healthcare & social services | 4,000 |
| Trades | 3,000 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 2,939 |
| Physicians with Canadian experience | 391 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian experience | 250 |
The launch of the updated Trades category underscores Canada’s commitment to attracting skilled workers in high-demand sectors. As immigration policies continue to evolve, targeted draws like this are expected to play a crucial role in meeting the country’s economic and workforce needs.
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