Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held its second Express Entry draw this week, inviting 1,000 candidates in transport occupations to apply for permanent residence. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) was 435.

This was the first-ever category-based selection draw for Express Entry candidates with work experience in a transport occupation. IRCC is targeting transport occupations due to an urgent labor shortage within this sector.

“The transportation sector is crucial to our economy, and if we want to keep things moving, we need to invest in the people that move travelers and transport our goods,” says Minister of Transport Pablo Rodriguez. “With this new initiative, we are helping address a critical skills shortage while also attracting new, talented people to communities across Canada. Truck drivers, pilots, aviation mechanical engineers and seafarers play a critical role in our economy and Canadians’ lives. Filling vacancies in these professions will boost economic growth and create stronger and more resilient supply chains.”

There were more Express Entry draws this summer than in previous years due to the introduction of category-based selection rounds of invitations. However, until this week a draw has not taken place since August 15 in which 4,300 candidates received ITAs in an all-program draw. IRCC has not provided an explanation for the pause in draws.