Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has held its first category-based selection under the updated Transport occupations category, issuing 300 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence on August 7, 2026.
Candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 470. Due to the tie-breaking rule, only those who created their Express Entry profiles before 2:55 p.m. Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) on October 11, 2025, were invited among candidates at the cutoff.
This was the 46th Express Entry invitation round of 2026 and the 434th overall.
Background on the Revamped Category
IRCC removed the original Transport category from category-based selection in February 2025. It reintroduced the category in February 2026 with a completely revised and narrower list of eligible occupations. The updated version focuses primarily on aviation roles and specific mechanical trades rather than the broader set used in 2023–2024.
Who Qualifies?
To be eligible under the Transport category, candidates must have accumulated at least 12 months of full-time work experience (or an equivalent amount of part-time experience) within the past three years in one of the following occupations. The experience does not need to be continuous and can have been gained in Canada or abroad:
- Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors (NOC 72600)
- Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics, and mechanical repairers (NOC 72410)
- Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors (NOC 72404)
- Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors (NOC 22313)
Candidates must also meet the requirements of one of the three programs managed through Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class, or Federal Skilled Trades Program) and hold a valid profile in the pool.
Commercial truck drivers, who were included in earlier versions of the category, are no longer eligible.
Recent Express Entry Context
The Transport draw followed several other rounds in early August:
- August 6 – French-language proficiency: 5,000 ITAs (CRS 391)
- August 5 – Canadian Experience Class: 3,000 ITAs (CRS 516)
- August 4 – Provincial Nominee Program: 507 ITAs (CRS 768)
So far in 2026, IRCC has issued more than 113,000 ITAs. The majority have gone to Canadian Experience Class candidates and those with strong French-language skills. Category-based draws continue to target specific labour market needs.
The CRS cutoff of 470 for this inaugural revamped Transport round was relatively high compared with previous Transport draws in 2023 and 2024 (which typically ranged in the low-to-mid 400s). This reflects the narrower list of eligible occupations and the competitive profiles of candidates who qualify.
Next Steps
Candidates who received an ITA have 60 days to submit a complete permanent residence application. IRCC generally aims to process Express Entry applications within its six-month service standard.
Those with qualifying experience who were not invited should ensure their Express Entry profiles accurately reflect the correct NOC codes and that their work history matches the lead statement and main duties of the relevant occupation. Improving language test scores, obtaining an Educational Credential Assessment, or pursuing a provincial nomination can help raise CRS scores for future rounds.
This first selection under the updated Transport category confirms that IRCC is actively using its 2026 occupational priorities to address skills shortages in aviation and related mechanical fields.
