Transport Express Entry: Turn Your Aviation or Mechanic Skills Into Canadian PR
Canada’s transport category lets pilots, aircraft mechanics, avionics technicians and automotive service technicians compete in their own Express Entry draws, which often need lower CRS scores than general rounds. Four NOC codes qualify. You need 12 months of paid work in one of them in the last 3 years, earned in Canada or abroad. See every recent cut-off in our Express Entry draw tracker.
since 1991
What is the Express Entry transport category?
The transport category is a set of targeted Express Entry draws for four aviation and automotive occupations. IRCC launched it on February 18, 2026 to fill shortages of pilots and of the technicians who keep aircraft, trucks and buses running.
It is not for truck or bus drivers. The older ground transport category was retired in 2025, and none of its occupations carried over. You still create a normal Express Entry profile, but transport rounds rank you only against other eligible transport workers, so the cut-off is often lower than in general draws.
What happens if you wait to apply?
You keep working long shifts while candidates in smaller category pools get invited first. Your language results and ECA expire, and IRCC publishes no draw schedule, so rounds can arrive with little warning.
Why transport workers use this category
- Lower cut-offs: transport rounds often invite below general and CEC draws
- Smaller pool: you compete only with pilots and aircraft and automotive technicians
- Foreign experience counts: your 12 months can be earned outside Canada
- No job offer required to receive an invitation
- PR first, licence later: convert your licence after you land
- Family included: bring your spouse and children
- Provincial nomination boost of 600 points through a PNP
Is the transport category right for you?
An honest answer before you spend money on tests and fees.
A good fit if you have
- 12 months of paid work in NOC 72600, 72404, 22313 or 72410 in the last 3 years
- Experience in Canada or abroad (gaps are fine, as long as it adds up)
- English or French at CLB 7 or higher, or you are ready to test
- Eligibility for an Express Entry program, such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Reference letters that describe your real technical duties and hours
Consider another route if
- You drive trucks, buses or delivery vans (drivers are not in this category)
- Your experience is in logistics or dispatch rather than aircraft or vehicle work
- You have less than 12 months in a single eligible occupation
A Provincial Nominee Program, several of which recruit truck drivers, or general Express Entry may fit better.
Transport category eligibility requirements
You must first qualify for one Express Entry program, then meet the transport work experience rule. Here is what IRCC checks.
Language proficiency
Take IELTS General, CELPIP General or PTE Core for English, or TEF Canada or TCF Canada for French. The Federal Skilled Worker Program needs CLB 7 in all four abilities. CLB 9 earns far more CRS points.
Education
Foreign diplomas and degrees need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from WES, ICES, IQAS or CES for the Federal Skilled Worker Program. Your ECA is separate from converting your pilot or technician licence in Canada.
Transport work experience
At least 12 months of full-time paid work, or the same amount part-time, in one of the 4 eligible occupations within the last 3 years. It does not need to be continuous and can be earned in Canada or abroad.
Proof of funds
Federal Skilled Worker candidates must show settlement funds, from $15,263 CAD for one person. You are exempt if you are invited under the Canadian Experience Class or hold a valid job offer.
Admissibility
A medical exam with an IRCC panel physician for you and your dependants, and police certificates from every country you have lived in for 6+ months since age 18.
Not sure your occupation qualifies?
Answer 7 questions for an assessment based on IRCC’s recent draw data.
The 4 eligible transport occupations
Pilots and flying instructors
Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors (NOC 72600), including airline, cargo, charter and helicopter pilots.
Aircraft mechanics and avionics
Aircraft mechanics and inspectors (NOC 72404) and aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics technicians (NOC 22313).
Automotive service technicians
Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers (NOC 72410). This covers the mechanics, not the drivers.
Common job titles we file
Match your NOC code by your real duties, not your job title. Truck, bus and delivery drivers are not in this category.
How to apply through the transport category, step by step
Six stages from checking your NOC code to landing in Canada.
Confirm your NOC code and experience
We check your duties against the NOC lead statement and count your 12 months before you pay for a language test or ECA.
Get your language test and ECA
Book IELTS, CELPIP, PTE Core or TEF, and start your ECA. Gather your logbooks, licences and training records at the same time.
Create your profile and enter the pool
We review your profile line by line. You are then eligible for transport, CEC, PNP and general rounds, and the first one you qualify for invites you.
Receive an Invitation to Apply
Our team manages your 60-day countdown so no deadline is missed.
Submit your PR application
Reference letters that list your technical duties and hours, police certificates, a medical exam and government fees of $1,590 CAD per adult.
Land and get licensed
You receive your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), land in Canada and convert your licence: pilots and aircraft engineers through Transport Canada, automotive technicians through your provincial trade authority.
CRS scores in transport draws
Transport cut-offs move with every round and are often lower than in general draws. When candidates tie on the cut-off score, the profile created first is invited. Check the latest scores in our Express Entry draw tracker.
CRS points at a glance (without spouse)
Ways to raise your score
Costs and timelines
Typical costs for a single applicant, confirmed during your consultation because IRCC fees change periodically.
Can you get Canadian PR this year?
Answer 7 questions and get a strategy-level Express Entry assessment based on IRCC’s recent draw data, including the new category-based draws.
Why clients choose Amir Ismail & Associates
35+ years of hands-on immigration experience and 25,000+ successful cases, from offices in Toronto, Dubai and Karachi. Our team includes Rijah Amir, also a licensed RCIC, so every file gets a second expert review.
Licensed expert guidance
Advice from CICC-licensed RCICs, not sales staff or unlicensed agents.
A strategy built for your profile
We identify the fastest realistic pathway for you, not a template.
Application accuracy
Documentation review that prevents costly errors and refusals.
Timely updates
We track every draw, policy shift and IRCC announcement for you.
End-to-end support
From eligibility checks to landing, we guide every step.
Proven track record
2026 Canadian Choice Award winner, trusted since 1991.
What our clients say
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Transport Express Entry FAQs
Which transport occupations qualify for Express Entry?
Four occupations qualify: air pilots and flying instructors (NOC 72600), aircraft mechanics and inspectors (72404), avionics technicians (22313) and automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics (72410). IRCC matches you by your real duties, not your job title.
Can truck drivers apply through the transport category?
No. The current transport category covers aviation and automotive repair roles, not drivers. The older ground transport category that included drivers was retired in 2025.
Do I need a Canadian pilot or mechanic licence before I apply?
No. You can get PR first and convert your licence after you land. Pilots and aircraft engineers go through Transport Canada, and automotive technicians through their provincial trade authority.
Can I use transport experience from outside Canada?
Yes. Your 12 months can be earned in Canada or abroad. It must be paid work in one eligible occupation within the last 3 years.
When did the transport category start?
IRCC launched the current transport category on February 18, 2026. It replaced the older ground transport category, and none of the old occupations carried over.
What CRS score do I need for a transport draw?
There is no fixed score. Transport cut-offs change every round and are often lower than general draws, so check the latest result in our Express Entry draw tracker and plan for a buffer above it.
How often are transport draws held?
IRCC publishes no schedule for category draws, and the gap between rounds can be several months. Keep your profile active and your test results valid so you are ready for any round.
Can my experience come from more than one employer?
Yes, as long as it is all in the same occupation. Your 12 months can be split across employers, but every month must fall under one NOC code.
Do I need a job offer for the transport category?
No. A job offer is not required to receive an invitation, and since March 2025 a job offer no longer adds CRS points. Most transport candidates are invited without one. See how the CRS works and how to improve your CRS score.
How long does it take to get PR through the transport category?
It depends mostly on how long you wait in the pool for an invitation, which depends on your CRS score. After an Invitation to Apply, you have 60 days to submit, and IRCC aims to process most complete applications within 6 months.
