Canada issues 3,000 ITAs in Express Entry trades draw
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted a new Express Entry draw, issuing invitations to candidates in trades occupations.
The round of invitations took place on April 2, 2026, marking the first trades-specific selection of the year. A total of 3,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence were issued.
The draw reflects ongoing use of category-based selection to target candidates with specific occupational backgrounds within Canada’s economic immigration system.
- 3,000 candidates invited in a trades category draw
- Minimum CRS score set at 477
- Profiles submitted before February 14, 2026 were eligible
- This marks the first trades draw of 2026
- The draw is the twentieth Express Entry round this year
Details of the April 2 Express Entry draw
IRCC selected candidates from the Express Entry pool under the trades occupations category, which targets individuals with experience in skilled trades. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required for this round was 477.
In addition to the score threshold, only candidates who had created their Express Entry profiles before 8:53 p.m. UTC on February 14, 2026, were considered.
This selection represents a category-based draw, a mechanism introduced to address specific labour market needs by focusing on candidates with particular qualifications or experience.
Overview of the Express Entry system
Express Entry is Canada’s primary application management system for three federal economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class.
Candidates are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System, which assigns points based on factors such as age, education, language ability, and work experience.
IRCC conducts regular draws from the pool, inviting top-ranking candidates or those meeting category-specific criteria to apply for permanent residence.
Category-based selection in focus
Category-based draws were introduced to allow targeted invitations aligned with Canada’s economic priorities. These draws focus on attributes such as occupation, language proficiency, or Canadian work experience.
The April 2 draw specifically targeted trades occupations, which include roles in construction, transportation, manufacturing, and related sectors.
Such draws complement general and program-specific rounds by directing invitations toward candidates with skills identified as in demand.
Express Entry activity in 2026
So far in 2026, IRCC has conducted a wide range of Express Entry draws. These have included selections for the Canadian Experience Class, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates, and category-based draws for French-language proficiency and healthcare workers.
The April 2 round is the twentieth draw of the year, reflecting a consistent pace of invitations across multiple streams.
Earlier in the week, IRCC held draws focused on Canadian Experience Class candidates and provincial nominees, continuing a pattern of prioritizing individuals with connections to the Canadian labour market.
Distribution of invitations by category
As of early April 2026, IRCC has issued a total of 58,830 ITAs through Express Entry. The majority have been allocated to candidates in the Canadian Experience Class, followed by those selected under French-language proficiency categories.
Other invitations have been distributed among healthcare and social services occupations, trades candidates, and individuals with provincial nominations.
Draws targeting physicians and senior managers with Canadian work experience have also been conducted, though in smaller numbers.
Role of provincial nominations
Provincial nominee programs remain a key component of Express Entry, with several draws in 2026 dedicated to PNP candidates. These individuals receive additional CRS points through nomination, leading to higher selection scores in those rounds.
Provinces such as Manitoba continue to operate nomination streams aligned with regional labour needs. More details on provincial pathways can be found through tools such as the Manitoba PNP points calculator.
PNP draws in 2026 have consistently featured higher CRS cut-offs due to the additional points awarded through nomination.
Trends in CRS scores and draw types
CRS cut-off scores in 2026 have varied significantly depending on the type of draw. Category-based rounds, such as those targeting French-language proficiency, have seen lower thresholds compared to PNP-specific draws.
The April 2 trades draw required a CRS score of 477, placing it within the mid-range compared to other categories this year.
By contrast, recent PNP draws have exceeded CRS thresholds of 700, while some category-based draws have seen scores fall below 400.
Frequency of targeted draws
Of the draws conducted in 2026, a large proportion has focused on candidates already in Canada or those with specific skills. Canadian Experience Class and PNP draws together account for a significant share of selections.
Category-based draws, including those for trades, healthcare, and French-language proficiency, have also played an increasing role in invitation rounds.
This mix of draw types reflects a diversified approach to selecting economic immigrants through Express Entry.
Public relevance and immigration intake
Express Entry draws remain a central pathway for economic immigration to Canada. The frequency and composition of draws provide insight into how IRCC is managing application intake.
The inclusion of a trades-focused draw early in the year highlights the ongoing demand for skilled trades workers across various sectors of the economy.
Express Entry continues to operate alongside provincial programs and other federal pathways to support immigration targets and labour market requirements.
Ongoing updates on Express Entry draws and immigration trends are regularly published as part of Canada’s broader immigration reporting.