## Key takeaways
– IRCC held Express Entry draw #453 on October 28, 2026, for Transport Occupations (2026-Version 2).
– 150 candidates received invitations to apply for permanent residence.
– The minimum CRS score was 477, up 7 points from the previous transport round in August 2026.
– The tie-breaking rule was June 4, 2026 at 21:48:22 UTC.
– The round was held at 10:34:14 UTC on October 28, 2026.
## What happened
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted Express Entry invitation round #453 on October 28, 2026. The round was a category-based selection for Transport Occupations (2026-Version 2). IRCC issued 150 invitations to apply, and the lowest-ranked candidate invited had a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 477. It was the third Express Entry round in three days, following a Provincial Nominee Program draw on October 26 and a French-language draw on October 27.
## How the transport category works
Category-based rounds invite only candidates who meet the named category’s requirements, in addition to being eligible for an Express Entry-managed program. The transport category covers a small set of specified occupations, including aircraft mechanics and inspectors, air pilots and related aviation roles, aircraft avionics mechanics and technicians, and automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics, and mechanical repairers. A candidate working in the broader transport sector does not automatically qualify; the occupation, duties, and classification must match the category instructions.
## How the tie-break worked
When more than one candidate shares the lowest score in a round, IRCC uses the date and time the Express Entry profile was submitted as the tie-breaker. For draw #453, candidates with exactly 477 points were invited only if their profile had been submitted before June 4, 2026 at 21:48:22 UTC. Candidates with scores above 477 were not affected by the tie-break.
## What it means for candidates
This was only the second transport occupations round of 2026. The previous one, on August 7, 2026, issued 300 invitations at a CRS cut-off of 470. Draw #453 issued half as many invitations and closed 7 points higher, which shows how a smaller round can push the cut-off up even within the same category. An invitation to apply is an opportunity to submit a complete permanent residence application, not an approval, and invited candidates should check the deadline and document instructions in their IRCC account. Candidates who were not invited remain in the pool and may be considered in future rounds if their profile is still valid.
## Frequently asked questions
Q: What was Express Entry draw #453?
A: Draw #453 was a Transport Occupations round held on October 28, 2026. IRCC invited 150 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 477.
Q: What was the tie-break for draw #453?
A: The tie-breaking rule was June 4, 2026 at 21:48:22 UTC. It applied only to candidates with exactly 477 points.
Q: Which occupations does the transport category cover?
A: The category covers specified aircraft, aviation, and automotive mechanical occupations, including aircraft mechanics and inspectors, air pilots and related aviation roles, aircraft avionics mechanics and technicians, and automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics, and mechanical repairers.
Q: How does draw #453 compare with the last transport draw?
A: The August 7, 2026 transport round issued 300 invitations at a CRS cut-off of 470. Draw #453 issued 150 invitations at 477, 7 points higher.
For help checking your eligibility or preparing your application, contact ImmiQuest Immigration at +1 778-855-4155, info@immiquest.ca, or https://immiquest.ca. Vikas Tulashyam, RCIC #R709710