Updated Changes to Express Entry’s Trade Occupations Category
On February 27, 2025, Canada made significant updates to the Express Entry system, especially for trade workers. These changes have expanded opportunities for individuals in skilled trades to apply for permanent residency in Canada. The newly revamped Trade Occupations category now includes more job titles, giving eligible candidates a better chance to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residency (PR).
What’s New in the Trade Occupations Category?
The Trade category in Express Entry underwent major changes, including the addition of 19 new occupations. This means more skilled tradespeople can now be eligible for Canadian immigration. The total number of occupations in the category has increased to 25, helping individuals with trade-related work experience gain quicker access to PR.
Below is a summary of eligible occupations under the Trade category, with newly added occupations marked in bold.
| Occupation | 2021 NOC Code |
|---|---|
| Bricklayers | 72320 |
| Cabinetmakers | 72311 |
| Carpenters | 72310 |
| Concrete finishers | 73100 |
| Construction estimators | 22303 |
| Construction managers | 70010 |
| Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics | 72400 |
| Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services | 82021 |
| Cooks | 63200 |
| Electrical mechanics | 72422 |
| Electricians | 72200 |
| Floor covering installers | 73113 |
| Gas fitters | 72302 |
| Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics | 72402 |
| Heavy-duty equipment mechanics | 72401 |
| Home building and renovation managers | 70011 |
| Industrial electricians | 72201 |
| Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors | 72100 |
| Other technical trades and related occupations | 72999 |
| Painters and decorators | 73112 |
| Plumbers | 72300 |
| Roofers and shinglers | 73110 |
| Sheet metal workers | 72102 |
| Water well drillers | 72501 |
| Welders and related machine operators | 72106 |
How Do You Know If Your Occupation Qualifies?
To qualify for the Trade category, you need at least six months of full-time continuous work experience (or an equivalent amount of part-time experience) within the past three years in one of the eligible occupations. Here’s how to check your eligibility:
- Visit the NOC site: Use the search bar to filter and find your occupation’s NOC code.
- Verify job duties: On the ESDC site, check the main duties listed for your NOC code to ensure your role aligns with these responsibilities.
- Check the eligibility table: Confirm if your NOC code is listed in the table of eligible trades.
You cannot combine work experience from different occupations, so your six months must be spent in a single eligible occupation.
New Occupations and Example Job Titles
Several new occupations have been added to the Trade category, offering broader opportunities for trade workers. Here’s a quick overview of the new additions and their corresponding job titles:
- Bricklayers: Brickmason, Apprentice bricklayer, Stonecutter
- Cabinetmakers: Custom wood furniture maker, Furniture cabinetmaker
- Concrete Finishers: Cement mason, Concrete mason, Precast concrete finisher
- Construction Estimators: Chief estimator, Cost estimator, Principal estimator
- Cooks: First cook, Grill cook, Line cook, Institutional cook
- Gas Fitters: Gas fitter apprentice, Gas technician, Industrial gas fitter
- Heavy-duty Equipment Mechanics: Agricultural equipment technician, Diesel mechanic, Heavy equipment mechanic
How Do Express Entry Categories Improve Your Chances for Permanent Residency?
Express Entry’s category-based draws significantly boost your chances of receiving an ITA for Canadian PR, even if your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score is lower than in general draws.
For instance, in 2024, the CRS score for general draws ranged between 524-549, while the CRS score for the Trade occupations category was much lower, between 433-436. This means that even with a lower score, individuals in eligible trade occupations had a greater chance of receiving an ITA.
Take Advantage of These New Opportunities
The expanded Trade Occupations category in Express Entry offers a valuable opportunity for skilled tradespeople to immigrate to Canada with greater ease. If you have work experience in any of the newly eligible occupations, now is the time to explore your options for applying through Express Entry. The changes bring Canada one step closer to ensuring its labor market is well-supported with skilled tradespeople, and you could be part of this important workforce.
#ExpressEntry #CanadianImmigration #SkilledTrades #TradeOccupations #PermanentResidency #CanadaPR #NOC #WorkInCanada #ImmigrateToCanada #TradeJobs
