Transport Occupations Category for Express Entry

This guide is for newcomers and skilled workers in transport occupations who want to learn how Canada’s Transport Occupations Express Entry category works. It explains who the category is for, how it fits within Express Entry, and the key eligibility factors candidates should understand before applying.

What Is the Transport Occupations Express Entry  Category?

The Transport Occupations Express Entry category is part of Canada’s category-based selection system, which invites candidates with work experience in specific transport occupations, including pilots, aircraft mechanics and inspectors, among others, to apply for permanent residence.

Through these targeted draws, Canada selects candidates in the Express Entry pool whose skills help address labour shortages and economic needs in this sector. Candidates who meet the category requirements are ranked by their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, and the highest-ranking candidates receive invitations to apply for permanent residence.

What are transport occupations in Canada?

Transport occupations in Canada are jobs involved in moving people or goods by road, rail, air, or water. In the context of Express Entry category-based selection, this includes roles such as transport truck drivers, aircraft mechanics, railway traffic controllers, and other transportation equipment operators whose skills support Canada’s transportation and logistics sector.

Who’s Eligible for the Transport Occupations Category

To qualify for the Transport occupations category, applicants  must meet specific requirements, including:

• An active Express Entry profile under one of these three programs:
  • • Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
    • Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
    • Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
• Meet the minimum requirements for the round, including the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off and tiebreaker rules.
• Have at least one year of full-time, cumulative work experience (or an equivalent in part-time work experience) in one single eligible occupation listed below. If your work experience spans multiple occupations, you will need to accumulate one year in a single occupation to qualify.

Occupations Eligible For Express Entry Transport Category Draws

Here is the list of current occupations and their specific NOC codes that are eligible for education category-based draws under the Canadian Express Entry system:

Is the transport category removed from Express Entry?

No. The Transport Occupations category has not been removed from Express Entry. It was included among the category-based selection priorities for 2026, meaning Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) may continue to invite candidates with work experience in eligible transportation occupations through targeted Express Entry draws.

Does my primary occupation need to be in a Transport occupation to be selected in a Transport draw?

No. You don’t need your primary occupation to be in a Transport occupation to be selected. You simply need at least one year of work experience in the last three years in an eligible skilled Transport occupation.

I have 6+ months of work experience in an eligible Transport occupation. Am I eligible?

Not anymore. Starting February 18, 2026, the minimum work experience increased from 6 months to 1 year.

This means there are two separate work experience requirements to meet:

• You must meet the work experience criteria for one of the three Express Entry programs (FSW, CEC, or FST). Each of these programs has different work experience requirements, usually between one and two years, andthis experience does not need to be in the field of education. You can check your eligibility using our CRS calculator.
• But you must also have at least one year of full-time (or equivalent part-time) experience in an eligible Transport occupation within the last three years.

Important: The work experience used to qualify for the Express Entry program does not need to be in the same job as your experience for the Transport occupation category.

How To Apply For Transport Occupations Express Entry Draws

Step 1: You must be eligible for Express Entry

The first step to getting invited to apply in a Transport-specific draw is to get into the Express Entry pool.

There are three possible programs you can be eligible for to join the Express Entry pool of candidates:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW)
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST)

Step 2: Enter Your Profile Into the Express Entry Pool

If you’re eligible for at least one program, you can submit your candidate profile to the Express Entry pool.

To improve your chances, stay updated on Express Entry Candidate Pool trends to assess your competitiveness for the next draws.

Step 3: Check Your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Score

After submitting your profile, you will receive a CRS score. This score determines your ranking in the Express Entry pool and is based on factors like age, education, work experience, and language ability.

You can also check your CRS points using our comprehensive Free Express Entry points calculator. The benefit of using our tool is that you get a detailed overview of where you get your points and how your score compares to others in the pool.

Step 4: Waiting for IRCC Draws to receive an Invitation to Apply

All the Transport Occupations draws have a CRS cut-off. Your chances of receiving an invitation to apply depend on your CRS score and the cut-off for the draw.

If your CRS score meets or exceeds the cut-off, you will receive an invitation to apply. If your score is below the cut-off, you will need to work on improving your CRS for future draws.

Step 5: Apply for Permanent Residence

Once invited, you can submit your permanent residence application. If successful, you’ll be on your way to starting a new chapter in Canada. If not, use the time to enhance your profile and increase your CRS score for the next opportunity.

Transport Occupations Category FAQ

Did IRCC remove truck drivers from PR?

IRCC did not completely remove truck drivers from Permanent Residence (PR) pathways, but they were removed from the list of occupations eligible for Express Entry category-based selection for transport occupations in 2026.

Is a truck driver still eligible for PR in Canada?

Yes. Truck drivers could be still eligible for permanent residence in Canada if they meet the requirements of other categories or immigration programs. Depending on their qualifications, work experience, and language ability, they may qualify through other Express Entry programs, Provincial Nominee Programs, or other economic immigration pathways.

What is the CRS score for truck drivers?

There is no fixed CRS score specifically for truck drivers. Candidates in the transport occupations category are still ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), and the required score depends on the cut-off set in each Express Entry draw. If a category-based draw targets transport occupations, the CRS threshold may differ from general draws.