Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted its first targeted Express Entry draw of 2025 for trade occupations. Held on January 18, the draw issued 1,250 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to eligible candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 505.
This marks the first trade-focused draw of the year and the 38th Express Entry round of 2025. The cut-off CRS score was notably high—72 points above the most recent education occupation draw held in October 2024, where 1,800 invitations were issued at a score of 433. For comparison, the previous day, September 17, a draw for education-related occupations saw 2,500 ITAs issued with a lower CRS threshold of 462.
The January 18 draw used the standard IRCC tie-breaking rule, ensuring only candidates who submitted their profiles before November 5, 2024, at 6:36 p.m. EST and met the CRS cut-off were invited.
So far in 2025, Canada has held a variety of targeted draws to align immigration intake with labour market needs. These include 17 draws linked to Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), nine for Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates, five for French language speakers, and focused selections for education (two draws), healthcare and social services (four draws), and trade occupations (one draw).
In 2024, Express Entry rounds reflected Canada’s sector-specific focus, including healthcare, STEM, agriculture, and transport occupations. Canada issued 98,903 ITAs through Express Entry in 2024, following 110,266 in 2023 and a record-breaking 114,431 in 2021.
To date in 2025, a total of 64,547 ITAs have been issued. Candidates who receive ITAs are given 60 days to submit a complete application, which IRCC aims to process within six months.
Maple News notes that these targeted draws are part of Canada’s broader immigration strategy to address key labour shortages. Occupations in trades—such as plumbing, welding, and electrical work—continue to be in high demand across provinces. Express Entry offers skilled tradespeople a streamlined pathway to permanent residency, provided they meet the program’s criteria.
Employers in Canada seeking to hire foreign talent are advised to explore options such as securing a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or nominating candidates through PNPs. These steps can play a crucial role in both immediate recruitment and long-term talent retention.
As the year progresses, more targeted draws are expected, further shaping Canada’s immigration landscape to reflect economic priorities and population needs.