IRCC issued 3,500 ITAs on October 1, 2026 in a Trades draw at CRS 476, the largest trades round since the category began in 2023.
On October 1, 2026, IRCC issued 3,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in a Trades-occupations draw at a CRS cutoff of 476. It is the largest trades round since the category was first prioritized in 2023. If you work in an eligible skilled trade, this is the draw that matters for you.
IRCC invited 3,500 candidates with a minimum score of 476. Profiles had to be created before the tie-breaking rule of May 28, 2026 at 16:55:23 UTC. This was round #447, using the 2026 Version 3 trades category list. Based on the 2026 total reported in our September 29 analysis, IRCC has now issued roughly 135,200 ITAs this year (131,715 plus today's 3,500; we have not seen an official running total).
To qualify, you needed at least 12 months of full-time work experience (or the part-time equivalent) in one eligible trade occupation within the last three years. It can be in Canada or abroad, and it does not have to be continuous. You also had to be eligible for the Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program or Federal Skilled Trades Program.
This was only the second trades round of 2026. The first, on April 2, issued 3,000 ITAs at CRS 477. So the new round is 500 invitations larger and the cutoff slipped by a single point. Together the two rounds have invited 6,500 trades candidates.
For context, previous full years of trades invitations were 2,500 in 2023, 3,600 in 2024 and 1,250 in 2025. One draw has now beaten the 2024 full-year total.
| Date | ITAs issued | CRS cutoff |
|---|
| April 2, 2026 | 3,000 | 477 |
| October 1, 2026 | 3,500 | 476 |
A cutoff in the 470s is about 40 points below recent CEC rounds, which sat at 518 on September 29. That gap is the whole point of the category: trades workers compete in a separate lane.
If you work in an eligible trade and scored 476 or higher: check your Express Entry account for an ITA. Your profile date had to clear the May 28 tie-break only if you scored exactly 476.
If you are in a trade but scored 440-475: you are within reach of the next round. Language retests and extra education points are the quickest levers; see how to improve your CRS score.
If your occupation is not on the trades list: the category will not help, however large it gets. Look at category-based draws explained to see which other lanes fit your work history, and read our skilled trades guide to check eligible occupations.
Tip
Make sure the occupation code on your profile matches the trade you actually worked in. A profile filed under a near-miss code can fall outside the category even if your job is eligible.
You have 60 days, until about November 30, 2026, to submit a complete permanent residence application. Gather your language results, ECA for any foreign education, police certificates from every country you have lived in for 6+ months since age 18, proof of funds if you are applying under a program that requires it, and your medical exam. Police certificates are usually the slowest, so start there.
IRCC does not publish a draw calendar. With only two trades rounds in six months, another one in the next few weeks is not the base case; CEC and PNP rounds have been the regular rhythm. Treat any prediction as a pattern, not a promise.
Where do you stand? CRS Calculator | All Express Entry Draws | PNP Guide
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration advice. Always verify information with official IRCC sources and consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or licensed immigration lawyer for advice specific to your situation.