August 20, 2026
Canada has conducted its first Express Entry draw under the newly revamped Transport category, opening fresh permanent residence opportunities for eligible professionals working in transportation-related occupations.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 300 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates eligible under the Transport category in the latest Express Entry draw.
To receive an invitation, candidates were required to have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 470. They also needed to have created their Express Entry profile before 2:55 p.m. UTC on October 11, 2025.
Here is a quick overview of the draw:
This draw is particularly significant because it marks the first Express Entry selection round under IRCC’s renewed Transport category.
| Date | Draw Type | Minimum CRS | Number of ITAs |
| August 7 | Transport | 470 | 300 |
| August 6 | French-Language Proficiency | 391 | 5,000 |
| August 5 | Canadian Experience Class | 516 | 3,000 |
| August 4 | Provincial Nominee Program | 768 | 507 |
| July 23 | Skilled Military Recruits | 368 | 4 |
| July 22 | French Language Proficiency | 399 | 5,000 |
| July 21 | Canadian Experience Class | 516 | 2,000 |
| July 20 | Provincial Nominee Program | 744 | 511 |
| July 10 | Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 392 | 500 |
| July 9 | French Language Proficiency | 420 | 5,000 |
| July 7 | Canadian Experience Class | 517 | 2,000 |
| July 6 | Provincial Nominee Program | 708 | 534 |
| June 25 | Healthcare and Social Services | 475 | 4,000 |
| June 24 | Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 223 | 271 |
| June 23 | Canadian Experience Class | 516 | 4,000 |
| June 22 | Provincial Nominee Program | 730 | 955 |
| May 28 | French Language Proficiency | 409 | 4,500 |
| May 27 | Canadian Experience Class | 518 | 3,000 |
| May 25 | Provincial Nominee Program | 805 | 334 |
| May 11 | Provincial Nominee Program | 798 | 380 |
| April 29 | French Language Proficiency | 400 | 4,000 |
| April 28 | Canadian Experience Class | 514 | 2,000 |
| April 27 | Provincial Nominee Program | 795 | 473 |
| April 15 | French Language Proficiency | 419 | 4,000 |
| April 14 | Canadian Experience Class | 515 | 2,000 |
| April 13 | Provincial Nominee Program | 789 | 324 |
| April 2 | Trades | 477 | 3,000 |
| March 31 | Canadian Experience Class | 509 | 2,250 |
| March 30 | Provincial Nominee Program | 802 | 356 |
| March 18 | French Language Proficiency | 393 | 4,000 |
| March 17 | Canadian Experience Class | 507 | 4,000 |
| March 16 | Provincial Nominee Program | 742 | 362 |
| March 5 | Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 429 | 250 |
| March 4 | French Language Proficiency | 397 | 5,500 |
| March 3 | Canadian Experience Class | 508 | 4,000 |
| March 2 | Provincial Nominee Program | 710 | 264 |
| February 20 | Healthcare and social services | 467 | 4,000 |
| February 19 | Physicians with Canadian work experience | 169 | 391 |
| February 17 | Canadian Experience Class | 508 | 6,000 |
| February 16 | Provincial Nominee Program | 789 | 279 |
| February 6 | French Language Proficiency | 400 | 8,500 |
| February 3 | Provincial Nominee Program | 749 | 423 |
| January 21 | Canadian Experience Class | 509 | 6,000 |
| January 20 | Provincial Nominee Program | 746 | 681 |
| January 7 | Canadian Experience Class | 511 | 8,000 |
| January 5 | Provincial Nominee Program | 711 | 574 |
The Transport category was previously removed from category-based Express Entry selections in February 2025. However, IRCC brought the category back in February 2026 with a completely revised list of eligible occupations.
The latest draw is the first time candidates have been selected under this updated category.
Category-based selection allows Canada to invite Express Entry candidates with experience in occupations that align with the country’s labour market and economic priorities. Eligible transportation professionals may therefore have an additional pathway to Canadian permanent residence, provided they meet the requirements of the category and the Express Entry system.
Following the Transport category draw, IRCC had conducted 46 Express Entry selection rounds in 2026.
The majority of these draws have focused on candidates who are already contributing to Canada’s labour market. Provincial Nominee Program candidates and individuals with Canadian work experience have received a significant number of invitations during the year.
The draw categories conducted in 2026 include:
Among these, Provincial Nominee Program, Canadian Experience Class and French-language proficiency draws have remained the most frequently used selection categories.
Throughout 2026, IRCC has issued more than 113,000 Invitations to Apply through Express Entry across different categories.
French-language proficiency and Canadian Experience Class candidates have received the highest number of invitations, highlighting Canada’s continued focus on French-speaking immigration and candidates with Canadian work experience.
Healthcare professionals, trades workers, physicians, senior managers and now eligible transportation professionals have also received targeted invitations through category-based and occupation-focused selection rounds.
The return of the Transport category could create an important opportunity for eligible professionals with experience in the newly identified transportation occupations.
However, being employed in a transportation-related job alone does not automatically guarantee an invitation. Candidates must first meet the requirements for an Express Entry program and satisfy the specific eligibility criteria for the Transport category.
Your CRS score, work experience, language ability, education and other factors can also influence your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply.
With Express Entry priorities continuing to evolve, eligible candidates should keep their profiles accurate and up to date while monitoring future category-based draws.
Canada’s Express Entry system continues to create opportunities for skilled professionals across different occupations and backgrounds. The first draw under the revamped Transport category shows how immigration priorities can change and introduce new pathways for eligible candidates.
If you are planning to apply for Canada PR and want to understand your eligibility under Express Entry or category-based selection, the immigration experts at Oasis Visas can help you explore the available options and understand the requirements for your profile.
Stay connected with Oasis Visas for the latest Canada immigration news, Express Entry updates and permanent residence opportunities.
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