Express Entry Trades Draw on October 1, 2026: 3,500 ITAs at CRS 476 — Eligibility Rules and the 25 Qualifying NOC Codes

On October 1, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held its 59th Express Entry draw of the year, targeting the trade occupations category. The round issued 3,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) at a minimum CRS score of 476. According to Moving2Canada and CIC News, it is the largest trades draw since the category was introduced in 2023.

For candidates working as welders, electricians, plumbers, carpenters or mechanics, whether in Canada or abroad, the headline number matters less than two practical questions: does their experience fall under a qualifying NOC code, and where does their CRS score sit relative to 476?

Draw details

Candidates with exactly 476 points were invited only if they had submitted their profile before the tie-breaking timestamp.

Comparison with the previous 2026 trades draw

The trades category has now accounted for 6,500 ITAs across two draws, out of 135,215 ITAs issued in 2026 so far (CIC News). The draw size rose by 500, but the cutoff fell by only one point, which suggests a concentration of trades candidates in the 475–480 range. It does not indicate where future cutoffs will land.

For reference, the September 4, 2026 healthcare and social services draw also issued 3,500 ITAs, at a CRS of 475, and the September 29 CEC draw had a cutoff of 518.

Category eligibility

According to IRCC's category-based selection page, candidates must:

Category eligibility is separate from FST program eligibility. FST has its own requirements, including two years of experience within five years, CLB 5 for speaking and listening and CLB 4 for reading and writing, and a qualifying job offer or a provincial certificate of qualification. Many trades-category candidates enter the pool through CEC or FSW.

The 25 eligible occupations

The category covers 25 NOC 2021 codes across TEER 0, 2 and 3, including construction managers (70010), welders (72106), electricians (72200, 72201), plumbers (72300), carpenters (72310), heavy-duty equipment mechanics (72401), HVAC mechanics (72402), roofers (73110) and retail and wholesale butchers (63201). The full table appears in the Vietnamese section above. According to Moving2Canada, cooks were removed from the category before the April 2026 draw.

What to check

1. NOC codes follow duties, not job titles. Reference letters should list specific duties, weekly hours, employment dates and wages that match the lead statement and main duties of the NOC code.

2. NOC 63201 is not NOC 94141. Only retail and wholesale butchers qualify. Industrial meat cutters in processing plants (NOC 94141), a common role among newcomers in Manitoba and Alberta, are not on the list.

3. The 3-year window is strict. Experience older than three years does not count toward category eligibility.

4. Profile accuracy matters. An incorrect NOC code or overstated experience can lead to refusal or a misrepresentation finding.

5. Compare your actual CRS against 476. Options to consider include higher language test results, an Educational Credential Assessment, French-language ability, or a provincial nomination. Each has different costs and timelines and should be assessed case by case.

Conclusion

The October 1 draw shows IRCC continuing to use the trades category as a distinct selection channel in 2026, with cutoffs holding at 476–477. For individual candidates, the deciding factors are whether their experience matches a listed NOC code and whether it is fully documented.

To understand the Express Entry trades category, Manitoba provincial nomination, and the options that fit your specific profile, please contact Nonsuch Immigration directly via Zalo: 0946 749 585 or WhatsApp: 204 963 9288.

This article is for information only and is not legal advice. Figures are compiled from IRCC, CIC News and Moving2Canada at the time of writing.