The latest Canadian Express Entry draw #408 was held earlier this week for the new Trades category. This impressive first round issued 3,000 ITAs for permanent residence to candidates who had a CRS score of 477.
Express Entry Draw #408
Date of Draw: April 2, 2026
Number of Invitations Issued: 3,000
Minimum CRS: 477
Program Specified: Trades Occupations, 2026-Version 3
Tie-breaking rule: February 14, 2026 at 20:53:54 UTC
See if you qualify with our free assessment!Express Entry draw 408 issued 3,000 Invitations to Apply (ITA) to candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) of 477. Today’s draw was the first ever category-specific draw for trade occupations in 2026. Meaning that all candidates for this draw were selected from a select number of NOC codes within the Express Entry pool, related to trade occupations.
In general, category-specific draws have had a lower CRS cut-off score than the recent all-program draws.
To be eligible for the trade occupation category, you must:
| Occupations | 2021 NOC Code | 2021 TEER Category |
|---|---|---|
| Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services | 82021 | 2 |
| Floor covering installers | 73113 | 3 |
| Painters and decorators (except interior decorators) | 73112 | 3 |
| Roofers and shinglers | 73110 | 3 |
| Concrete finishers | 73100 | 3 |
| Other technical trades and related occupations | 72999 | 2 |
| Water well drillers | 72501 | 2 |
| Electrical mechanics | 72422 | 2 |
| Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics | 72402 | 2 |
| Heavy-duty equipment mechanics | 72401 | 2 |
| Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics | 72400 | 2 |
| Bricklayers | 72320 | 2 |
| Cabinetmakers | 72311 | 2 |
| Carpenters | 72310 | 2 |
| Gas fitters | 72302 | 2 |
| Plumbers | 72300 | 2 |
| Industrial electricians | 72201 | 2 |
| Electricians (except industrial and power system) | 72200 | 2 |
| Welders and related machine operators | 72106 | 2 |
| Sheet metal workers | 72102 | 2 |
| Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors | 72100 | 2 |
| Home building and renovation managers | 70011 | 0 |
| Construction managers | 70010 | 0 |
| Butchers - retail and wholesale | 63201 | 3 |
| Construction estimators | 22303 | 2 |
Express Entry is a system used by the Canadian government to manage applications for Canadian permanent residency. Express Entry uses a point-based system, the CRS, to rank candidates’ profiles.
Applying to Express Entry is a two-step procedure. The first step is to submit your profile with the required documents. Required documents usually consist of language test results, educational credentials, and passport or travel documentation.
After you submit a profile and receive an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence, you can submit your complete application for the IRCC to review. Your complete application should include supporting documents such as reference letters, additional identity documents, police clearance certificates, and results of a medical examination.
Interested in learning more about your options to enter the Express Entry pool? Complete our free online assessment form today!
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