Canada’s immigration system just sent a clear message: high-demand skills—especially in trades—are leading the way to permanent residency in 2025. On September 18th, Canada held its latest Express Entry draw dedicated to trade occupations, inviting 1,250 skilled candidates to apply for permanent residence. The competitive Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cutoff was set at 505, underlining how tough the race has become.
What Happened in the Latest Draw?
The September 18, 2025, draw is part of a wider move to category-based Express Entry selections, targeting workers in sectors facing critical shortages. While previous years saw “all-program” draws with lower CRS cutoffs, the 2025 landscape is all about targeting and quality.
- 1,250 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) went to candidates in designated trades.
- Minimum CRS required: 505.
- Comparable draws in 2025—for healthcare and STEM—show similar competition, with cutoffs largely above 500.
Express Entry: ITAs Issued By Major Category in 2025
2025 Category-Based Express Entry Draws: ITAs Issued by Sector
The bar chart above highlights the number of ITAs handed out in some of 2025’s top sectoral Express Entry draws—note the focused distribution and high standards across all categories.
Why the Government Made the Shift
This isn’t just a one-off. The Canadian government is now using Express Entry as a precision tool to fix labor shortages in fields considered vital: think trades, health care, engineering/tech (STEM), transportation, education, and agriculture. There’s less room for “general” skilled workers and more incentive to pivot your skills or language abilities to fit the hotlist.
Deeper Data Trends
- Study permit applications are down ~50% year-over-year, showing just how much the immigration landscape has narrowed.
- Temporary foreign worker and other economic-class approvals are also seeing a downward trend as policymakers lean into quality over quantity.
- The average CRS for category draws now routinely hovers at or above 500, a substantial leap from norms just a couple of years ago.
What It Means For Applicants
Today’s Express Entry is not just about gathering points—it’s about matching the market. For those in trades, healthcare, STEM, or who are proficient in French, the future is bright. For everyone else, the path remains, but is steeper and much more strategic.
If you’re following the Express Entry system or planning to apply:
- Focus on in-demand sectors.
- Watch CRS cutoffs for your occupation.
- Consider upskilling, gaining experience in target categories, or learning French for a competitive edge.
Canada’s new approach is data-driven, results-oriented, and designed to support the country’s most urgent employment needs. The next draws will likely continue this targeted trend, so align your profile for success!
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