Express Entry Now Prioritizes Trade Occupations: Do You Qualify?

Canada has made important changes to its Express Entry system. As of February 27, 2025, the government has expanded the Trade Occupations category, creating more opportunities for skilled tradespeople to apply for permanent residence.

If your job falls under this category, your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) through Express Entry may now be much higher, even if your CRS score is lower.

What Changed in the Trade Category?

The Trade category under Express Entry was updated to include 25 occupations in total. In 2025, 19 new occupations were added, and four were removed. This makes the Trade category the most expanded of all Express Entry categories this year.

To qualify, you must:

• Meet the basic eligibility criteria for Express Entry
• Have at least six months of full-time continuous work experience (or the part-time equivalent) in one of the eligible occupations within the past three years

Apprenticeship roles also count, as long as the job duties match those listed under the official occupation.

Full List of Eligible Trade Occupations (with NOC Codes)

Below is the full list of occupations eligible under the 2025 Trade category:

How to Check If Your Job Is Eligible

Follow these steps to confirm if your occupation qualifies:

1. Find Your NOC Code
   Use the Government of Canada’s NOC website to search your job title using the "Filter items" bar.
2. Match Job Duties
   Check the NOC code on the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) site. Your job must closely match the lead statement and include most of the listed duties.
3. Check Against the Trade Category List
   If your NOC code is listed in the table above, you may be eligible under the Trade category.
   
   

Note: Your six months of work experience must be in one specific occupation. You cannot combine months from different jobs to meet this requirement.

Why This Category Increases Your Chances

Express Entry uses a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to assess candidates. Normally, only those with high CRS scores receive ITAs. However, category-based draws have lower cut-offs, making them more accessible.

For example, in 2024:

• General Express Entry draws had CRS cut-offs between 524 and 549
• Trade category draws had CRS cut-offs between 433 and 436
  
  

This means that if you qualify under the Trade category, you could receive an invitation with a lower score.

Examples of Eligible Job Titles

Here are some examples of new job titles included in the 2025 update:

• Bricklayers: Brickmason, Stonecutter, Refractory Bricklayer
• Cabinetmakers: Custom furniture maker, Furniture cabinetmaker
• Cooks: Line cook, Institutional cook, Dietary cook
• Gas Fitters: Gas technician, Industrial gas fitter
• Heavy-Duty Mechanics: Tractor mechanic, Diesel mechanic
• Painters: Construction painter, Maintenance painter
• Roofers: Asphalt roofer, Flat roofer
• Electricians: Marine electrician, Mill electrician
• Machinists: Tooling inspector, Aviation machinist

There are many others listed in the official NOC descriptions.

Final Thoughts

If you work in a skilled trade and meet the basic Express Entry requirements, now may be the best time to apply. With expanded eligibility and lower CRS score cut-offs for trade occupations, your path to Canadian permanent residence could be more accessible than ever.