What this category means
The current list targets aircraft and automotive operation, inspection and repair occupations.
Category eligibility comes after Express Entry eligibility
You must first qualify for the Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program or Federal Skilled Trades Program and have a valid Express Entry profile. A category does not replace those program rules.
Who may qualify
- Be eligible for at least one of the three federal programs managed by Express Entry.
- Have a valid profile in the Express Entry pool when IRCC holds the round.
- Meet every requirement in the ministerial instructions for that specific round.
- Within the 3 years before the round, have at least 12 months of full-time work experience—or an equal amount of part-time experience—in one listed occupation. The experience does not need to be continuous and may be gained in canada or abroad.
Eligible occupations
IRCC uses the 2021 NOC codes below. Match the lead statement and actual main duties—not only a similar job title.
| Official occupation title | 2021 NOC | TEER |
|---|---|---|
| Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors | 72404 | 2 |
| Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors | 72600 | 2 |
| Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors | 22313 | 2 |
| Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics, and mechanical repairers | 72410 | 2 |
What the current transport category covers
The current category is narrow: three aviation occupations and one automotive-service occupation. A job connected to transportation is not enough unless its exact 2021 NOC appears on the list.
Included
Aircraft mechanics and inspectors; pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors; aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics specialists; and automotive, truck and bus service mechanics.
Not included by title alone
Transport truck drivers, dispatchers, logistics coordinators, delivery drivers, railway crews and marine occupations are not on the current four-NOC list unless IRCC changes the category in a future round.
The list is based on NOC codes and duties. Even within an included sector, the applicant’s work must match the lead statement and a substantial number of the main duties of the listed NOC.
Latest 2026 transport-category round
Round #434 selected candidates under Transport Occupations, 2026-Version 2. It is the most recent official Express Entry round as of August 10, 2026.
Date and time
August 7, 2026 · 10:08:20 UTC
Invitations
300
Lowest CRS
470
Tie-breaking rule
October 11, 2025 · 14:55:49 UTC
Transport Occupations, 2026-Version 2 · round #434
Candidates eligible under FSWP, CEC or FSTP could be invited through this category round.
The small invitation total and CRS 470 apply only to round #434. They do not create a guaranteed schedule or cut-off for another transport round.
Open official round #434How category-based selection works
- 01
Qualify for Express Entry
Meet the minimum rules of CEC, FSWP or FSTP and create an accurate profile.
- 02
IRCC identifies eligible profiles
IRCC checks the profile information against the requirements of the announced category.
- 03
Candidates are ranked by CRS
Eligible category candidates are still ranked against one another using their CRS scores.
- 04
Highest-ranking candidates may be invited
The number invited, cut-off, tie-breaker and exact category rules are set for the individual round.
- 05
Submit the permanent-residence application
An invited candidate must prove both program and category eligibility with documents and remain admissible to Canada.
Documents to prepare
- Employer letters confirming position, dates, hours, pay and detailed duties
- Supporting pay, tax, contract or employment records where appropriate
- Evidence that the claimed duties match the listed NOC
- Certified translations for documents not in English or French
- All documents required by the underlying Express Entry program
Important limits
- Meeting a category requirement does not add separate CRS points and does not guarantee that IRCC will hold a round for that category.
- The category occupation list, work-experience period and round instructions can change. The live IRCC page and the instructions for the exact round control.
- An invitation does not remove the need to prove the underlying Express Entry program, the CRS score claimed, category eligibility and admissibility.
- A job title alone is not enough for an occupation category. The evidence must support the correct NOC lead statement and main duties.
Frequently asked questions
Are transport truck drivers eligible?
No. NOC 73300 is not on IRCC’s current four-occupation transport list. Employment in the transport industry is not enough when the exact NOC is absent.
Can foreign aviation or mechanic experience count?
Yes. Current category experience may be gained in Canada or abroad if it falls within the preceding three years and matches one listed NOC.
Can I combine aviation and automotive experience?
No. The qualifying 12 months must be accumulated in a single listed occupation, though qualifying periods in that same NOC do not need to be continuous.
Do I need a Canadian licence to meet the category?
Category membership is based on qualifying experience in a listed NOC. Canadian licensing may still be required to work in the occupation and the underlying Express Entry program has separate rules.
Does part-time experience count?
An equal amount of part-time experience may count. Hours, dates and duties must be supported by reliable evidence.
Are logistics and supply-chain jobs included?
Not under the current four-NOC transport list. The applicant should identify the exact NOC rather than rely on the employer’s industry or a broad transport label.
Does transport-category eligibility add CRS points?
No. Eligible candidates are ranked using their existing CRS score when IRCC holds the round.
Does CRS 470 predict the next transport draw?
No. It was the lowest score in round #434 only. Every future round can have a different invitation total, pool and cut-off.
Official government sources
General information only. This page was reviewed on the date shown, but IRCC may change categories or instructions without notice. Verify the live government source before relying on any requirement.