Express Entry Trade Category Expansion: Your Path to Canadian Permanent Residence Just Got Wider

Great news for skilled trades professionals! Canada just made it significantly easier for trade category workers to immigrate through Express Entry by dramatically expanding the Trade occupations category. If you work in any of the newly added trades, your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence have just improved substantially.

Major Changes to Express Entry Trade Categories

On February 27, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the most significant expansion of the Trade category since category-based selection began. The changes include:

• 19 new occupations added to the Trade category
• 4 occupations removed from previous listings
• Total of 25 eligible occupations now included

This expansion makes the Trade category the fastest-growing among all Express Entry categories, reflecting Canada’s urgent need for skilled trades professionals across multiple sectors.

Complete List of Eligible Trade Occupations

Here are all 25 occupations now eligible for Trade category draws, with newly added occupations highlighted:

Important Note: Apprentices in these trades typically perform the majority of occupational duties, so apprentice positions and work experience generally qualify under the same occupation classification.

How to Determine Your Eligibility

To qualify for Trade category draws, you must meet these specific requirements:

Basic Express Entry Eligibility

First, ensure you meet the minimum criteria for one of the three Express Entry programs:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program
• Canadian Experience Class
• Federal Skilled Trades Program

Trade Category-Specific Requirements

• Minimum 6 months of full-time continuous work experience (or equivalent part-time) within the past 3 years
• Work experience must be in a single eligible trade occupation (you cannot combine experience from multiple trades)
• Your job duties must align with the official NOC description

Step-by-Step Verification Process

Step 1: Find Your NOC Code Visit the Government of Canada NOC website and use the search function to find the NOC code that best matches your work experience. Try different job title variations if needed.

Step 2: Verify Job Duties Check your NOC code on the Employment and Social Development Canada website under “Search by NOC Code.” Your role must:

• Closely align with the lead statement
• Include a substantial number of the listed main duties

Step 3: Confirm Category Eligibility Cross-reference your verified NOC code with the table above to confirm it’s included in the Trade category.

Alternative Job Titles for New Trade Occupations

Many trade positions have various job titles. Here are common alternative titles for the newly added occupations:

Construction and Building Trades

• Bricklayers: Apprentice bricklayer, Brickmason, Refractory bricklayer, Stonecutter, Stonemason
• Carpenters: Finish carpenter, Framing carpenter, Residential carpenter, Commercial carpenter
• Concrete finishers: Cement finisher apprentice, Cement mason, Concrete mason, Precast concrete finisher
• Roofers and shinglers: Apprentice roofer, Asphalt roofer, Built-up roofer, Flat roofer, Residential steep roofer

Management and Supervision

• Construction managers: Commercial construction manager, Construction project manager, Construction superintendent, General contractor, Housing construction manager
• Construction estimators: Chief estimator – construction, Cost estimator – construction, Quantity surveyor – construction

Mechanical and Electrical Trades

• Heavy-duty equipment mechanics: Agricultural equipment technician, Construction equipment mechanic, Diesel mechanic – heavy equipment, Farm equipment mechanic
• Industrial electricians: Industrial electrician apprentice, Marine electrician, Mill electrician, Mine electrician, Plant electrician
• Electrical mechanics: Armature winder repairer, Electric motor systems technician, Electrical transformer repairer

Specialized Trades

• Machinists: Automotive machinist, Aviation machinist, General machinist, Machining inspector, Tooling inspector
• Sheet metal workers: Apprentice sheet metal worker, Sheet metal fabricator, Sheet metal mechanic, Tinsmith
• Cooks: Apprentice cook, First cook, Grill cook, Hospital cook, Institutional cook, Line cook

The Competitive Advantage of Trade Categories

Category-based selection provides substantial advantages over general Express Entry draws:

Significantly Lower CRS Score Requirements

2024 Draw Comparisons:

• General draws: CRS cutoff ranged from 524-549 points
• Trade occupations draws: CRS cutoff ranged from 433-436 points
• Advantage: Up to 116 points lower requirement for trade workers

More Frequent Invitation Opportunities

Trade category draws occur regularly throughout the year, providing multiple opportunities to receive an invitation even if you miss one draw cycle.

Targeted Selection Process

Category-based draws specifically target skills that Canada needs most, meaning qualified trade workers have priority consideration regardless of competition from other occupations.

Strategic Implications for Trade Workers

This expansion reflects several important trends:

Canada’s Critical Skills Shortage

The addition of 19 new trade occupations highlights acute labor shortages in:

• Residential and commercial construction
• Infrastructure development and maintenance
• Manufacturing and industrial operations
• Hospitality and food services

Provincial Labor Market Alignment

These occupations align with provincial nominee program priorities, creating multiple immigration pathways for qualified trade workers.

Economic Recovery Focus

Post-pandemic economic recovery emphasizes construction, infrastructure, and skilled manufacturing – all sectors represented in the expanded Trade category.

Next Steps for Qualified Trade Workers

If your occupation appears on the expanded list:

1. Assess your CRS score using the official calculator
2. Gather documentation proving your work experience meets NOC requirements
3. Create or update your Express Entry profile to reflect your trade experience
4. Monitor draw results and prepare for potential invitations
5. Consider language improvement to boost your CRS score further

Professional Guidance for Trade Workers

The expansion of trade categories creates new opportunities, but navigating the application process requires expertise. Consider professional immigration consultation to:

• Verify your NOC classification accuracy
• Optimize your Express Entry profile
• Develop backup immigration strategies
• Prepare comprehensive documentation packages

Conclusion: Your Trade Skills Are in High Demand

The dramatic expansion of Express Entry’s Trade category sends a clear message: Canada urgently needs skilled trade workers and is willing to prioritize their applications. If you work in any of the 25 eligible occupations, you now have a significantly better chance of receiving permanent residence through Express Entry.

Don’t wait – create or update your Express Entry profile today to take advantage of these expanded opportunities. Your trade skills could be your pathway to a new life in Canada.

Official Resources:

• Express Entry Category-Based Selection
• National Occupational Classification
• Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System Calculator
• Express Entry Draw History