Trivia Question❓

Canada’s southernmost mainland point lies in Ontario’s Point Pelee National Park, on a narrow peninsula jutting into which Great Lake?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

Newcomer Digest – Monday's Edition

By the Newcomer Digest Team · A weekly guide for newcomers to Canada

Canada just invited 3,500 tradespeople to apply for permanent residence. Mondays are now your immigration briefing: what changed, who it affects, and what to do about it.

In this issue:

The Big Update: Canada invites 3,500 tradespeople
On Our Radar: 3 changes to know
Mark Your Calendar: 4 dates this month
Your Move This Week: 3 quick steps

The Big Update

Express Entry Trades Draw: Canada Invites 3,500 Tradespeople

Canada just invited 3,500 skilled trades workers to apply for permanent residence, with a minimum score of 476. It is the second trades draw this year. Read our guide to see who qualified and the four steps to take if you missed it.

Our take

In a trades draw, your job matters as much as your score. You only compete with other tradespeople, a much smaller group than the full pool.

Two trades draws this year tells us IRCC wants tradespeople. We expect more, but draws are never announced in advance.

If you work in a trade and aren't in the pool yet, now is the time to build your profile.

On our radar

If you're planning for PR in the next two years: The 2027 to 2029 Immigration Levels Plan is due by November 1. It sets how many people Canada will admit each year, and through which programs. We'll break it down the Monday after it's released.

If you hold a work permit and want to study: You can take a program of six months or less without a study permit. IRCC has extended this until December 31, 2027.

If you speak any French: IRCC is raising its targets for French-speaking newcomers outside Quebec to 10.5% of new PRs in 2028 and 12% in 2029. A French test score can add points and open French-language draws.

What You Can Do Now

Mark your calendar

Oct 7: BC PNP intake for health workers in rural and remote communities closes.
Oct 9: ESDC publishes updated regional unemployment rates. These decide where employers can apply for low-wage LMIAs.
Oct 15: Next PEI PNP draw expected.
Oct 31: Quebec PEQ first intake closes.

Your move this week

Check your CRS score with IRCC's official tool. It takes 2 minutes.
Confirm your NOC code matches the work you actually do.
Update your profile if anything changed: a new job, a new test score, or a new degree.

Helpful Resource

IRCC's Express Entry Rounds of Invitations

Every Express Entry draw, the minimum score, number of invitations and date, in one place, straight from the source.

How to use it:

Website: canada.ca Express Entry rounds
Check the program column to spot trades, French and other category draws
Compare recent cutoffs with your own score

Know a tradesperson in the Express Entry pool? Forward this edition to them.

From the publisher

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💡 Answer to Trivia Question:

Lake Erie

Before you go

Have a question about the trades draw or your Express Entry profile? Reply to this email. Your questions shape what we cover next.

Know someone new to Canada? Forward this email to them. It's the best way to help.

Happy early Thanksgiving. See you Thursday.