IRCC Conducts Historic Express Entry Draw for Trade Occupations

• Admin
• August 4, 2023
• 03 Comments

Overview of Express Entry Draw #261

In a groundbreaking move, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have conducted a historic  Express Entry draw focused on Trade Occupations. This draw, held on August 03, 2023, saw 1,500 candidates receiving invitations, with a minimum CRS score requirement of 388.

For the first time ever, candidates under the Trade Occupations category had the opportunity to be selected through Express Entry. This category is part of the six new selection categories introduced by IRCC in 2023.

Express Entry Draw #261:

• Number of invitations issued: 1,500
• Rank required for invitation: 1,500 or above
• Draw type: Trade occupations (2023-1)
• Date and time of the draw: August 03, 2023, at 13:24:52 UTC
• CRS score of the lowest-ranking invited candidate: 388
• Tie-breaking rule: June 07, 2023, at 07:03:08 UTC
• In case of tie, the cut-off is based on profile submission date and time.

To be eligible for the Trade Occupations category, candidates must have a minimum of 6 months of full-time, continuous work experience in a targeted profession within the past 3 years, either in Canada or abroad. They must also meet all the requirements specified for the round.

The targeted professions for the Trade Occupations category include:

73200 - Residential and commercial installers and servicers
72406 - Elevator constructors and mechanics
72405 - Machine fitters
72402 - Heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning mechanics
72400 - Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics
72310 - Carpenters
72300 - Plumbers
72200 - Electricians (except industrial and power systems)
72106 - Welders and related machine operators
72014 - Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers, and servicers

IRCC has so far conducted seven invitation rounds under the newly-launched selection categories for Express Entry. The decision to finalize these categories was made after considering labor market projections and consulting with various stakeholders, provincial, and territorial governments.

By focusing on specific skills, training, and language abilities, Canada aims to issue Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates with the most in-demand qualifications, streamlining the selection process for permanent residency in the country.