Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 150 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) under the Transport Occupations category on October 28, 2026, the smallest category-based draw held anywhere in Express Entry this year. For UAE-based professionals in logistics, freight, and transport roles, this second outing of the revamped category offers an important update.

Draw Highlights

Date and time: October 28, 2026, at 10:34:14 UTC.
Category: Transport Occupations, 2026-Version 2.
CRS cut-off: 477.
Invitations issued: 150.
Rank needed: 150 or above.
Tie-breaking rule: Candidates who submitted their Express Entry profile before 21:48:22 UTC on June 4, 2026, were prioritised where scores were tied.

A Modest Second Round

This is only the second Transport Occupations draw since the category was relaunched with a revised occupation list in August 2026. Compared to that inaugural round, this draw issued 150 fewer invitations while the CRS cut-off climbed 7 points, from 470 to 477. Combined, the two rounds have brought total Transport invitations for 2026 to just 450, among the smallest totals of any active category this year.

Why Smaller Doesn’t Mean Less Significant

A draw issuing only 150 invitations can look insignificant next to French-language or CEC rounds handing out thousands at a time, but for UAE-based transport professionals, this category remains one of the few pathways built specifically around hands-on occupational experience rather than academic credentials. The requirement, qualifying work experience in an eligible transport occupation within the past three years, doesn’t demand a university degree or years of Canadian employment, making it genuinely relevant for experienced logistics and freight workers across the UAE.

What a Rising Cut-Off Signals

The 7-point increase from August’s 470 to this round’s 477 suggests the pool of Transport-eligible candidates has grown slightly more competitive since the category’s relaunch, likely as more candidates become aware of the revised eligibility criteria and submit profiles accordingly.

Timing Around the Upcoming Pause

This draw lands just days before IRCC’s confirmed Express Entry pause, which begins November 3 and is expected to last roughly two weeks for system changes. UAE-based candidates in eligible transport occupations should use this window to confirm their NOC code still qualifies under the current Version 2 criteria and ensure their profile is complete before draws resume in mid-November.

Check Your Eligibility Under the Revised Transport Category

With this category still finding its footing after its August relaunch and running on no fixed schedule, understanding whether your transport occupation qualifies now puts you ahead of the next round. An experienced immigration consultant can confirm your eligibility against the current occupation list and help prepare your Express Entry profile in the meantime.