IRCC Issues 1,800 ITAs in Express Entry Draw for Trade Occupations

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently conducted its second Express Entry draw of the week, issuing 1,800 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) focused on trade occupations. Candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 436 to qualify.

This draw marks the first category-based selection event since April 24 and the first specifically for trade occupations since December 2023. IRCC plans for trade occupation draws to constitute 5% of all category-based selection ITAs this year, as per an April memo.

Earlier in the week, on July 2, IRCC held a draw exclusively for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates, inviting 920 applicants with a CRS score of 739. This draw continues a recent trend of program-specific draws, with three PNP-focused events since May 30.

Program-specific draws target candidates in the Express Entry pool applying through programs like the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), or Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). In PNP-only draws, candidates must have received a nomination through an Express Entry-aligned PNP stream, known as enhanced nomination.

This year, IRCC aims to stabilize Canada's high levels of temporary residents by providing more pathways to permanent residency (PR). Many temporary residents, such as those on work or study permits, seek PR through the CEC or PNP, helping IRCC meet its annual targets for "Federal High Skilled Workers" while reducing temporary residency numbers.