Canada Express Entry Trades Draw – October 1, 2026: 3,500 ITAs at CRS 476

On October 1, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held a category-based Express Entry round for candidates in Trades Occupations. IRCC issued 3,500 invitations to apply (ITAs) for permanent residence, and the lowest CRS score invited was 476.

For electricians, welders, plumbers, carpenters and other skilled tradespeople in the Express Entry pool, this round is a useful reference point. This article sets out the verified results, compares them with the previous trades round, explains who may qualify for the category and lists the eligible occupations. It also covers what to consider if your score is below the cutoff and what to do after receiving an invitation.

October 1, 2026 Draw Results

The tie-breaking rule means that candidates with exactly 476 points were invited only if they submitted their Express Entry profile before May 28, 2026 at 16:55:23 UTC. The 476 cutoff applies to this specific round only. It is not a target score and does not guarantee an invitation in any future round.

How Does the October 2026 Trades Draw Compare With the Previous Trades Draw?

The October round issued 500 more invitations than the April 2, 2026 trades round, and the cutoff was one point lower. A larger round can allow IRCC to reach further down the ranking, but cutoffs also depend on how many eligible candidates are in the pool and what scores they hold at the time of the round. Two data points are not a trend, and neither result predicts where the next trades cutoff will land.

Who May Qualify for the Express Entry Trades Category?

To be considered in a trades round, a candidate must meet the requirements of an Express Entry-managed program and the requirements of the category-based round. Under IRCC's current category-based selection rules, the trades category requires:

• at least 12 months of full-time work experience, or an equivalent amount of part-time experience;
• gained within the previous three years;
• in a single occupation listed for the trades category;
• gained in Canada or abroad; the experience does not have to be continuous.

Category experience is separate from program eligibility. The Federal Skilled Trades Program, Canadian Experience Class and Federal Skilled Worker Program each have their own requirements, and a candidate must meet at least one of them.

A job title alone does not establish eligibility. What matters is whether your actual duties match the lead statement and main duties of an eligible National Occupational Classification (NOC) code. Two people with the same title can fall under different NOC codes depending on what they actually do.

For a broader look at strategy for tradespeople, see our Trades Occupations PR pathway page.

Which Occupations Are Included in the Trades Category?

The trades category includes the following occupations and 2021 NOC codes:

What if Your CRS Score Is Below 476?

A score below this round's cutoff does not automatically mean you cannot obtain Canadian permanent residence. Your options depend on your profile, eligibility, work experience, language scores, education and other circumstances. Possible next steps include:

• Review your CRS calculation. Check each factor against IRCC's CRS criteria; errors in language, education or work experience entries are common.
• Check program and category eligibility. You may be eligible for more than one Express Entry program or category.
• Assess your CRS factors. Higher language test results, an educational credential assessment or additional qualifying experience may change your score.
• Explore provincial options. Many Provincial Nominee Programs have streams relevant to trades workers.

You cannot enter the trades category without meeting its requirements, and none of these steps guarantees an invitation. If your score is well below recent cutoffs, our article on PR pathways for candidates with a low CRS score explains other routes to consider. If you are in Canada on a work permit, you can also review your Canadian work permit options.

Official Sources and Disclaimer

Express Entry rules, category lists and draw results can change. This article provides general information as of October 11, 2026. It is not legal or immigration advice and does not guarantee eligibility, an invitation or permanent residence.

• IRCC: Express Entry category-based selection
• IRCC: Ministerial Instructions — Express Entry rounds of invitations
• IRCC: Express Entry rounds of invitations
• IRCC: Comprehensive Ranking System criteria
• IRCC: Apply for permanent residence after an invitation