Express Entry Overhaul Prioritizes Skilled Trades: Are You Eligible for Canada’s New Trade Category?

By Vikrant Singh, May 10, 2025

In a major shift to attract skilled tradespeople, Canada has revamped its Express Entry system in 2025 to prioritize applicants from trade occupations. If you work in a skilled trade and are considering immigration to Canada, this could be your golden opportunity to secure permanent residence through a faster, more targeted pathway.

What’s New in Express Entry’s Trade Category for 2025?

On February 27, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) updated the Express Entry category-based selection to include 19 new trade occupations and remove 4. This makes the Trade category the fastest-growing stream under Express Entry. A total of 25 skilled trade occupations are now eligible for category-based draws.

This update reflects Canada’s continued commitment to addressing urgent labor shortages in the construction, manufacturing, and technical sectors. If your occupation is on the updated list, you are more likely to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) — even with a lower Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.

Who Qualifies for the Trade Occupations Category?

To be eligible, you must:

• Meet the general Express Entry criteria (e.g. language proficiency, education, work experience).

• Have at least six months of full-time, continuous work experience (or an equivalent amount in part-time) within the past three years in one of the eligible occupations.

• Have performed most of the duties described in the official National Occupation Classification (NOC) profile for your job.
  

Apprenticeships count too. If you’ve worked as an apprentice and performed core duties of the trade, your experience will generally qualify under the corresponding NOC code.

List of Eligible Trade Occupations for 2025

The following occupations are now eligible under the 2025 Express Entry Trade category:

• Bricklayers (NOC 72320)

• Cabinetmakers (NOC 72311)

• Carpenters (NOC 72310)

• Concrete Finishers (NOC 73100)

• Construction Estimators (NOC 22303)

• Construction Managers (NOC 70010)

• Construction Millwrights and Industrial Mechanics (NOC 72400)

• Contractors and Supervisors, Oil and Gas Drilling and Services (NOC 82021)

• Cooks (NOC 63200)

• Electrical Mechanics (NOC 72422)

• Electricians – Except Industrial and Power Systems (NOC 72200)

• Floor Covering Installers (NOC 73113)

• Gas Fitters (NOC 72302)

• HVAC Technicians (NOC 72402)

• Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics (NOC 72401)

• Home Building and Renovation Managers (NOC 70011)

• Industrial Electricians (NOC 72201)

• Machinists and Tooling Inspectors (NOC 72100)

• Other Technical Trades (NOC 72999)

• Painters and Decorators (NOC 73112)

• Plumbers (NOC 72300)

• Roofers and Shinglers (NOC 73110)

• Sheet Metal Workers (NOC 72102)

• Water Well Drillers (NOC 72501)

• Welders and Related Machine Operators (NOC 72106)
  

These roles span critical infrastructure, residential construction, energy sectors, and advanced manufacturing—areas where Canada faces chronic labor shortages.

Lower CRS Scores for Trade Workers

One of the most appealing benefits of Express Entry’s trade-specific draws is the lower CRS score requirement. In 2024, general Express Entry draws required CRS scores between 524 and 549. However, the CRS cut-offs for trade occupations ranged from just 433 to 436 — nearly 100 points lower.

This means that even if your CRS score isn’t high enough for general draws, you could still receive an ITA through the Trade category.

How to Check If Your Occupation Qualifies

1. Go to the Government of Canada’s official NOC website.

2. Use the search tool to enter your job title or keywords related to your experience.

3. Review the duties and description under the correct NOC code.

4. Match it against the eligible list for the Trade category.

5. If your NOC code appears, and your experience matches, you’re likely eligible for this priority stream.
   

Why This Matters for Skilled Workers

Canada is projected to have over 700,000 skilled trades vacancies by 2030. By focusing on trades in the Express Entry system, Canada is creating more targeted opportunities for applicants whose expertise is in high demand.

If you’re a skilled tradesperson and want to move to Canada in 2025, this is the time to act. The category-based selection model increases your chances of being invited, even if you don't have a job offer or high CRS score.

Next Steps

• Verify your NOC code and ensure it aligns with one of the 25 eligible trade occupations.

• Make sure your Express Entry profile is up to date.

• Gather proof of your work experience, duties performed, and relevant certifications.

• Watch for Trade Occupation category draws and apply promptly if invited.
  

Final Thoughts

With lower CRS thresholds and targeted invitations, the Trade occupations category in Express Entry 2025 offers a fast and practical path to Canadian permanent residence. Whether you're a carpenter, welder, cook, or construction manager, your skills are needed — and now, they’re prioritized.

Start preparing today, and you could soon be living and working in Canada as a permanent resident.

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