Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 300 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in an Express Entry draw targeting candidates in the new Transport category. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score was 470, and applicants needed to have created an Express Entry profile before 2:55 p.m. UTC on October 11, 2025.
This draw marks the first permanent-residence selections under IRCC’s refreshed Transport category. The category was removed from category-based draws in February 2025 and reintroduced in February 2026 with a new list of eligible occupations.
IRCC has now conducted 46 Express Entry draws in 2026. The Express Entry landscape this year has broadly favored candidates already in Canada, notably provincial nominees and those with Canadian work experience.
Looking at the year-to-date totals, IRCC has issued 113,423 ITAs across all Express Entry draw types. Breakdown: Canadian Experience Class 48,250; French-language proficiency 45,500; Provincial Nominee Program 6,957; Healthcare and social services 8,000; Trades 3,000; Transport 300; Physicians with Canadian work experience 662; Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience 750; and Skilled Military Recruits 4.
IRCC’s broader draw activity in 2026 is summarized as follows: Provincial Nominee Program draws 15; Canadian Experience Class draws 13; French-language proficiency draws 9; Physicians with Canadian work experience draws 2; Healthcare and social services draws 2; Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience draws 2; Trades draws 1; Transport draws 1; Skilled Military Recruits draws 1. The Transport draw adds to the growing portfolio of category-based invitations IRCC has deployed this year.
For prospective applicants, the renewed Transport category expands permanent-residence pathways for skilled workers in transportation and related trades. Maple News will continue to monitor IRCC updates as they shape the pace of 2026’s Express Entry cycles.