IRCC opened April with a draw that tradespeople have been waiting for all year. Draw #408, issued on April 2, was the first Trades Occupations draw of 2026 — and it was a big one.
What happened
On April 2, 2026, IRCC issued 3,000 Invitations to Apply exclusively to Express Entry candidates in the Trades Occupations category, with a minimum CRS score of 477. The tie-breaking timestamp was set at February 14, 2026 at 20:53:54 UTC — meaning candidates at exactly 477 points only received invitations if they submitted their profiles before that date and time.
This is the 20th Express Entry draw of 2026, the first trades-specific draw this year, and the 2nd draw of April. IRCC has now issued roughly 58,830 ITAs in 2026.
Why this draw matters
A CRS cutoff of 477 is significantly lower than what CEC candidates need right now. For comparison, the most recent CEC draws have required scores of 507–511. That's a 30+ point gap — which is enormous in CRS terms.
This is exactly how category-based draws are supposed to work. Instead of competing against the entire pool at 500+, skilled tradespeople compete within their own category at much lower cutoffs. If you're an electrician, welder, plumber, or carpenter with a CRS in the high 400s, this draw was made for you.
The trades category under Version 3 focuses on construction, industrial, and mechanical trades — think heavy equipment operators, industrial electricians, steamfitters, and crane operators. Food service occupations that were included in earlier versions have been largely removed.
Recent draws for context
| Draw Date | Type | ITAs | CRS Cutoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 30 | PNP | 356 | 802 |
| March 31 | CEC | 2,250 | 509 |
| April 2 | Trades Occupations | 3,000 | 477 |
The pattern from Q1 continues: IRCC is running multiple draw types each week, with category-based draws offering substantially lower cutoffs than CEC rounds. French-language draws in 2026 have landed at 393–400, healthcare at 467, and now trades at 477.
What's expected next
Based on the 2026 draw pattern, IRCC typically conducts draws on a biweekly cycle with clusters of multiple draw types in the same week. The next round of draws is expected around April 14 — likely a CEC draw, with additional category-based or French draws possible in the same window.
With the Express Entry overhaul now on the regulatory horizon, category-based draws for trades occupations are expected to continue and potentially expand. IRCC has signaled that trades will be served through category selection rather than the dedicated FSTP program going forward.
IRCC doesn't publish a draw schedule, but draws have been coming in clusters. Watch for a CEC draw around April 14, and potentially another category draw (healthcare or French) in the same week.
What to do if you got invited
Congratulations — you have exactly 60 days to submit a complete PR application. Don't wait.
Here's what you need ready:
- Police certificates from every country you've lived in for 6+ months since age 18 — check our PCC guides by country
- Immigration medical exam — book this immediately, clinics can have 2–3 week wait times
- Proof of funds (unless you're working in Canada under a valid work permit)
- Employment reference letters confirming your trades experience — job title, duties, hours, and dates
- Valid language test results — IELTS or CELPIP scores are valid for 2 years
- Red Seal or provincial trade certification if applicable
Note: PR fees are increasing on April 30. If you submit your application before then, you'll lock in the current rates.
What to do if you weren't selected
If your CRS is 470–477: You're right on the edge. The next trades draw could easily land at a similar cutoff. Make sure your profile is accurate and your NOC code is correctly categorized. One point can make the difference — retaking IELTS and improving by even one band in a single skill can push you over.
If your CRS is 440–470: You're competitive for future trades draws, especially if IRCC increases draw sizes. In the meantime, explore PNP programs that target tradespeople — several provinces (Alberta, BC, Ontario) have dedicated skilled trades streams with their own criteria.
If your CRS is below 440: A Provincial Nominee Program nomination adds 600 CRS points and is your most realistic path. Many provinces actively recruit tradespeople, especially for rural and northern communities.
CRS score check
Not sure where you stand? Run your numbers through our CRS Calculator and see how you compare to recent draw cutoffs. Track all draws on our Express Entry Draws page.