On September 18, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held the first trades draw in close to a year, providing a new wave of invitations to these professionals to apply for permanent residence (PR). The most recent draw invited 1,250 candidates from Express Entry’s trade category who had a minimum CRS 505. While the CRS cut-off for this draw was higher than most other category-based selections through Express Entry, the department is expected to conduct more trades draws before the end of the year.

Per a recently released ATIP, IRCC planned to issue 3,300 invitations to apply (ITAs) in the second half of 2025, which would leave a remainder of 2,050—although this is not guaranteed. This article will provide fictional examples of profiles that could have received an ITA through the most recent trades draw. Example one: Kavitha Mustafa Kavitha is an unmarried 25-year-old cook from India. She has a degree in culinary food management from her school in India, which is the equivalent of a two-year college bachelor’s degree in Canada. Kavitha has two years of foreign work experience and one year of Canadian work experience. She is accredited as a licensed cook by Skilled Trades Ontario and has a certificate of qualification.