Immigration & visas 4 min read

Canada Express Entry transport occupations draw issues 150 ITAs on Oct 28 2026

IRCC issued 150 invitations for permanent residence in a transport occupations Express Entry draw on October 28, 2026. The draw took effect on that date and targeted candidates who meet the Transport Occupations, 2026‑Version 2 criteria. A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 477 was required, with a tie‑breaking rule based on profiles submitted by June 4, 2026 at 21:48:22 UTC.

Canada Express Entry transport occupations draw issues 150 ITAs on Oct 28 2026
Photo: Global Residence Index / Unsplash
In this story
  1. At a glance
  2. The details
  3. What this means for travellers
  4. Who this affects
  5. Frequently asked questions

At a glance

What changes
150 invitations were issued for the transport occupations category with a 477 CRS cutoff
Timing
The draw occurred on October 28, 2026
Who is affected
Express Entry candidates meeting transport occupation requirements

The details

Announced by
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Takes effect
October 28, 2026
Previous rule
The earlier transport occupations round on August 7, 2026 issued 300 invitations with a minimum CRS score of 470.
New rule
The October 28 round issued 150 invitations, set the minimum CRS score at 477, and applied a tie‑breaking rule based on profiles submitted by June 4, 2026 at 21:48:22 UTC.

Draw overview

IRCC conducted Express Entry Draw 453 on October 28, 2026, focusing exclusively on the Transport Occupations, 2026‑Version 2 category. The round invited the highest‑ranking eligible profiles until the 150‑invitation limit was reached.

A Comprehensive Ranking System score of 477 was the lowest among those invited. The cutoff applies only to this specific draw and does not set a permanent minimum for future transport rounds.

  • 150 invitations were allocated for the transport occupations category
  • Minimum CRS score was 477
  • Tie‑breaking used profiles submitted by 4 June 2026 21:48:22 UTC

Eligibility and category requirements

Candidates must first qualify for one of the three federal programs covered by Express Entry: Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, or Federal Skilled Trades. In addition, they must satisfy the transport‑occupation specific criteria outlined for this round.

Applicants needed at least 12 months of full‑time (or equivalent part‑time) work experience in a single occupation listed under the transport category within the past three years. The experience may have been gained in Canada or abroad.

  • Eligible NOC codes include 72404, 72600, 22313, and 72410
  • Work duties must match the lead statement and main duties of the listed NOC
  • Job titles alone are insufficient to prove eligibility

Comparison with previous rounds and implications

The August 7, 2026 transport round invited 300 candidates with a 470 CRS cutoff. The October 28 draw reduced invitations by 150 and raised the cutoff by seven points, reflecting changes in the pool size and ranking of candidates.

IRCC may adjust invitation numbers, category instructions, and CRS thresholds in future draws. Invited candidates still need to submit a complete application within 60 days and meet all program, category and admissibility requirements.

  • Previous transport round: 300 invitations, CRS 470
  • Current round: 150 invitations, CRS 477
  • Future draws may use different invitation volumes and cutoffs

What this means for travellers

Trip planning

  • Candidates already holding an invitation must submit a complete application within 60 days of the draw date.
  • Profiles that did not receive an invitation remain in the Express Entry pool until they expire or are withdrawn.

Cost and documents

  • Invited candidates must prepare standard Express Entry documents such as police certificates, medical exams, proof of funds and supporting records.
  • No new fees were introduced by this draw; existing IRCC processing fees still apply.

What you need to do

  • Check the IRCC account for the official invitation and follow the 60‑day submission deadline.
  • Verify that work experience, job duties and NOC codes align with the transport occupation list before applying.
  • Update any language test results, education credentials or work history to improve future draw chances.

Who this affects

  • Transport occupation candidates in Express Entry

    The draw targeted the Transport Occupations, 2026‑Version 2 category.

    What to do Ensure eligibility under the listed NOC codes and meet the 12‑month work‑experience requirement.

  • Candidates who met the CRS cutoff but submitted profiles after June 4 2026 21:48:22 UTC

    IRCC applied a tie‑breaking rule based on the submission timestamp.

    What to do Profiles submitted after the cut‑off time were not guaranteed selection; consider updating and re‑submitting.

  • Invited candidates from Draw 453

    They received an invitation to apply for permanent residence.

    What to do Submit a complete application within 60 days and provide all required supporting documents.

Frequently asked questions

What was the CRS cutoff for the transport occupations draw on October 28 2026?

The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score for the transport occupations draw on October 28, 2026 was 477.

How many invitations were issued in the October 28 transport occupations draw?

IRCC issued 150 invitations to apply for permanent residence in the transport occupations category on that date.

Do I need to meet a specific work‑experience amount for the transport occupations category?

Yes, candidates must have at least 12 months of full‑time (or equivalent part‑time) work experience in a single eligible transport occupation within the past three years.

What tie‑breaking rule did IRCC use for this draw?

IRCC gave priority to profiles that were submitted by June 4, 2026 at 21:48:22 UTC when candidates had the same CRS score.

Are invitations guaranteed to lead to permanent residence?

No, an invitation to apply is not an approval; candidates must still submit a complete application and satisfy all program, category and admissibility requirements.

Can I improve my chances for future transport draws?

Candidates can update their Express Entry profile with higher language scores, additional qualifying work experience or higher education, provided the information is accurate and documented.

Sections

express entry transport occupations draw canada express entry october 2026 transport occupations CRS 477 IRCC draw 453 invitations express entry transport category eligibility
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