Tag Archives: #Transport

Dear future neighbour,

Canada’s third Express Entry draw of the week is out, and this one was all about transport workers.

On October 28, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) sent 150 invitations to apply for permanent residence under the Transport Occupations category. The lowest Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score invited was 477.

See below draw details:

How does this compare with the last Transport draw?

This was only the second Transport draw of 2026. The first took place on August 7, when IRCC issued 300 invitations at a CRS score of 470.

So this time, 150 fewer people were invited and the cut-off score went up by seven points. Changes like this can come from the size of the candidate pool, the number of invitations available, and how candidates rank on the day. One draw is not a promise of what the next one will look like, so please don’t treat 477 as a permanent target.

Here is how this draw fits in with the most recent rounds:

Who can be invited in a Transport draw?

Being a transport worker is not enough on its own. You first need to qualify for Express Entry through one of three federal programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, or the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

On top of that, the 2026 Transport category requires:

• At least 12 months of full-time work experience (or the same amount of part-time work) within the past three years.
• All of that experience in one single occupation from the Transport list.
• Experience that does not have to be continuous, and that can be from inside or outside Canada.

The occupations on the current list are:

• Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors (NOC 72404)
• Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors (NOC 72600)
• Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors (NOC 22313)
• Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics, and mechanical repairers (NOC 72410)

Note that a job title that sounds similar is not enough. Your actual duties must match the main duties of the NOC code you claim, because that is what IRCC will look at.

Got an invitation? Here’s what to do next

First, congratulations. But an invitation is not an approval, and you still have work to do.

You generally have 60 days to submit a complete application. Everything you submit must match your Express Entry profile, so double-check your work history, job duties, employment dates, language results, education documents and supporting records. Depending on your situation, you may also need police certificates, medical exams or proof of funds. Incomplete or inconsistent information can hurt your application, so take your time and get it right.

If you are already in Canada and have submitted your permanent residence application through Express Entry, you may qualify for a Bridging Open Work Permit. If you apply for it before your current work permit expires, you can keep working under the same conditions while you wait, as long as you stay in Canada. Eligible family members may also qualify for open work permits.

Big changes are coming on November 3

This is the part many candidates are talking about. From November 3, 2026, Express Entry candidates can earn more CRS points for Canadian work experience or a qualifying job offer in a high-wage occupation.

Here is how it works:

• An occupation counts as high-wage when its national median wage is at least 1.3 times the average median wage of the Canadian workforce. 186 occupations meet this standard, split into three levels (1.3, 1.5 and 2 times the average).
• Job offers are worth 50, 70 or 100 points, depending on the wage level.
• Canadian work experience can earn up to 150 points, or 140 if you have an accompanying spouse or common-law partner. This includes your existing points for length of work, plus up to 70 more for at least one year in a high-wage occupation.
• You will no longer need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) for a job offer to earn these points.
• Candidates invited on or after November 3 will also be exempt from the LMIA requirement for qualifying job offers used under the Federal Skilled Worker Program or the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

One more thing to plan for: invitation rounds will pause while IRCC recalculates everyone’s scores under the new system. IRCC says this could take up to two weeks.

Express Entry in 2026 so far

Canada has now held 65 Express Entry draws this year, and the pattern is clear. IRCC has leaned heavily toward candidates who already have a link to Canada, such as provincial nominees and people with Canadian work experience.

Draws by type:

In total, IRCC has issued 149,409 invitations this year:

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Don’t Wait for the Next Draw to Find Out Where You Stand

With the November 3 changes just days away, your CRS score could look very different very soon, and the right plan today can save you months of waiting. Whether you are a transport worker eyeing the next round, someone sitting in the pool with a score that is just short, or a candidate holding a job offer that may now be worth more, the smartest move is to get your numbers checked and your strategy set before the rules change.

At Ese Umoh Immigration, we guide people through every step of the journey, including Express Entry, provincial nomination, work permits, postgraduate work permits, spousal sponsorship, visitor visas, super visas, citizenship applications and school admissions. Book your consultation today at https://euiacademy.selar.com/30minutes and let’s work out the best route to Canada for you.

Dear future neighbour,

If you work in Canada’s transportation sector, IRCC just gave you a fresh reason to pay attention to Express Entry.

On August 7, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada issued 300 invitations to apply (ITAs) for permanent residence to candidates in its newly revamped Transport category. This was the very first round of invitations held under this category since it was reintroduced back in February 2026.

Here’s the thing, this isn’t the same Transport category that existed before. IRCC actually pulled Transport out of the category-based selection system in February 2025, then brought it back a year later with a completely different list of eligible occupations. So this draw marked a true first: the first time candidates were selected under this new version of the category.

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Who made the cut this time?

To receive an invitation in this round, candidates needed:

• A Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of at least 470, and
• An Express Entry profile created on October 11, 2025

That CRS threshold sits in a pretty accessible range compared to some of the other category draws we’ve seen this year, which is worth noting if you’re building out your own profile and wondering where you stand.

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A busy year for Express Entry

This Transport draw brings the total number of Express Entry selection rounds in 2026 to 46. That’s a lot of activity, and it tells a clear story about where Canada’s immigration priorities currently sit.

Looking at the pattern so far this year, two groups have consistently come out ahead: provincial nominees and candidates with Canadian work experience. Between them, they account for the largest share of draws held in 2026.

Here’s how the recent draws stack up:

Breaking it down by category, this is how many rounds each draw type has had in 2026:

And in terms of total invitations sent out this year, IRCC has issued 113,423 ITAs so far, spread across these categories:

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What this means for you

If you work in transportation and you’ve been waiting for a category that actually fits your occupation, this is genuinely good news; it means IRCC is actively using this pathway now, not just holding it in reserve. But numbers like these can also feel confusing if you’re not sure where your CRS score lands, whether your job qualifies under the new Transport list, or how these category draws even work alongside the general Express Entry pool.

That confusion is exactly where a lot of applicants lose time, or worse, submit a profile that doesn’t reflect their real chances.

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Ready To Turn This Update Into Your Next Step?

Numbers on a page don’t move your immigration file forward – the right strategy does. Whether you’re checking if your occupation fits the Transport category, wondering how a provincial nomination could boost your CRS score, or simply trying to figure out the fastest route to Canadian permanent residence, it helps to have someone in your corner who watches these draws every week.

At Ese Umoh Immigration, we help clients navigate provincial nomination, Express Entry, work permits, postgraduate work permits, spousal sponsorship, visitor visas, super visas, citizenship applications, and school admissions – all with the goal of getting you to Canada with fewer surprises along the way. If this Transport category draw has you wondering where you stand, book a one-on-one consultation with us at https://euiacademy.selar.com/60minutes and let’s map out your best path forward.