Express Entry: Canada Holds First Draw Under Revamped Transport Category

Canada has held its first Express Entry selection under the revamped Transport category, inviting 300 candidates to apply for permanent residence.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued the invitations to apply, known as ITAs, on August 7. Candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 470 to qualify.

They also had to create an Express Entry profile before 2:55 p.m. UTC on October 11, 2025.

Transport Category Returns With New Eligibility

The August 7 selection marks the first time IRCC has used the renewed Transport category since it returned to category-based Express Entry selection.

IRCC removed the Transport category in February 2025. It brought the category back in February 2026 with a completely different list of eligible occupations.

The latest draw means candidates working in qualifying transportation occupations once again have a dedicated category through which they may receive an invitation, provided they meet the broader Express Entry requirements and the conditions of a particular draw.

Busy Week for Express Entry Invitations

The Transport draw followed three other Express Entry selections earlier in the week.

On August 6, IRCC invited 5,000 candidates in a French-language proficiency draw with a CRS cut-off of 391. A day earlier, 3,000 Canadian Experience Class candidates received invitations with a minimum score of 516.

On August 4, IRCC issued 507 invitations in a Provincial Nominee Program draw. The CRS cut-off for that selection was 768.

These rounds continued a pattern seen throughout 2026, with IRCC frequently selecting candidates who already have ties to Canada through provincial nomination or Canadian work experience.

IRCC Has Held 46 Draws in 2026

With the latest Transport selection, IRCC has now conducted 46 Express Entry draws in 2026.

Provincial Nominee Program candidates have been targeted most often, with 15 draws. Canadian Experience Class candidates have been included in 13 draws, while French-language proficiency candidates have been selected in nine.

IRCC has also held two draws each for physicians with Canadian work experience, healthcare and social services workers, and senior managers with Canadian work experience.

There has been one draw each for trades, transport workers and skilled military recruits.

More Than 113,000 Invitations Issued

Across all Express Entry draw types, IRCC has issued 113,423 ITAs so far in 2026.

Canadian Experience Class draws account for the largest share, with 48,250 invitations. French-language proficiency draws follow closely with 45,500.

IRCC has also issued 8,000 invitations for healthcare and social services candidates, 6,957 for provincial nominees and 3,000 for trades candidates.

Other totals include 750 invitations for senior managers with Canadian work experience, 662 for physicians with Canadian work experience, 300 for Transport candidates and four for skilled military recruits.

Future Transport draws may vary in size and score, depending on IRCC's immigration priorities and candidate pool.

The renewed Transport draw adds another category to a year in which Express Entry selections have continued to focus strongly on candidates with Canadian experience, provincial nominations and targeted occupational or language skills.