Canada launches new Express Entry Transport category
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced a new Transport category within the Express Entry system, providing an additional pathway to permanent residence for foreign nationals with recent experience in specific transportation occupations.
The new category came into effect on February 18, 2026, and is intended to address labour shortages in both aviation and ground transportation sectors across Canada.
The update allows eligible candidates with at least one year of work experience in one of four designated occupations to receive priority consideration for permanent residence.
- New category implemented under Express Entry as of February 18, 2026
- Applies to four transportation-related occupations
- Requires 12 months of work experience within the past three years
- Experience can be from any country and does not need to be continuous
- Eligible applicants may receive invitations at lower Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores
Overview of the Transport category
The Transport category adds to the existing occupational categories used in Express Entry to select skilled workers based on Canada’s labour market needs. Candidates in this category must demonstrate at least 12 months of full-time employment, or an equivalent amount of part-time work, in one qualifying occupation within the previous three years.
This experience can have been gained either in Canada or abroad and does not need to match the applicant’s primary occupation listed in their Express Entry profile.
Eligible occupations
According to IRCC, the following National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes are eligible under the Transport category:
- Air pilots, flight engineers, and flying instructors (NOC 72600)
- Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics, and mechanical repairers (NOC 72410)
- Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors (NOC 72404)
- Aircraft instrument, electrical, and avionics mechanics, technicians, and inspectors (NOC 22313)
Under the revised rules, the required 12 months of experience no longer needs to be continuous. Previously, applicants were required to demonstrate six months of uninterrupted employment to qualify under occupational categories.
Qualification criteria
Work experience is assessed based on duties performed rather than job titles. To qualify under one of the eligible occupations, candidates must have carried out all of the key tasks listed in the lead statement of the corresponding NOC code and most of the main duties associated with that classification.
This approach ensures that applicants’ experience aligns closely with Canadian occupational standards and reflects verified skill levels in their field.
Occupational licensing and regulation
Many of the occupations identified under the Transport category are regulated either federally or provincially. The level of regulation depends on the nature of the work and the jurisdiction where it is performed.
For federally regulated professions such as aviation, oversight is managed by Transport Canada, which maintains consistent national licensing standards. Aircraft mechanics, inspectors, and pilots must meet federal certification requirements before working in Canada.
Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics, and mechanical repairers are generally regulated at the provincial or territorial level, often under apprenticeship and certification systems such as the Red Seal Program. Requirements can differ between jurisdictions, including provinces participating in the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP).
Background and intent of the new category
Canada’s transportation sector has faced ongoing workforce shortages, particularly in aviation maintenance and heavy vehicle repair. By introducing this dedicated category, IRCC aims to attract skilled tradespeople and technical professionals whose qualifications align with these high-demand areas.
The new Transport category complements existing Express Entry pathways, such as general draws and category-based selections for healthcare, STEM, and trade occupations. Candidates meeting the eligibility requirements for the Transport category may receive invitations at lower CRS scores than those competing in general draws.
Work experience and assessment process
Applicants are required to document their employment history in alignment with Canada’s National Occupational Classification. Verification focuses on the specific job functions performed, with priority given to those that demonstrate core technical expertise relevant to the eligible NOC codes.
Qualifying work experience can be obtained outside Canada and does not need to align directly with the candidate’s current or previous Express Entry occupation. This flexibility is designed to broaden access for internationally trained transport professionals.
Public relevance
The introduction of the Transport category is expected to streamline the integration of foreign-trained mechanics, pilots, and technicians into Canada’s workforce. It also supports ongoing efforts to fill critical roles across the country’s aviation and automotive industries.
The measure reflects the federal government’s continued use of targeted immigration categories to meet regional and national labour needs, while maintaining transparency in Express Entry selection criteria.
Further details on application submission, NOC classifications, and occupational licensing requirements are available through official government sources and professional regulatory authorities.
More updates on Canadian immigration programs and category-based draws can be found in related coverage across this platform.