Effective February 18, 2026, candidates in the Express Entry pool can now be eligible under Canada’s Transport category based on specific criteria:

Minimum Requirement

• Minimum of 12 months full-time work experience within the last 3 years, or equivalent part-time
• Experience must be in a single eligible NOC occupation
• Experience can be from anywhere globally and does not have to be continuous

This new requirement supersedes the previous mandate of six months of continuous experience.

Eligible Occupations (Single-NOC Requirement)
Air Pilots, Flight Engineers, and Flying Instructors – NOC 72600

Automotive Service Technicians, Truck and Bus Mechanics, Mechanical Repairers – NOC 72410

Aircraft Mechanics and Aircraft Inspectors – NOC 72404

Aircraft Instrument, Electrical and Avionics Mechanics, Technicians, and Inspectors – NOC 22313

Technical Notes

• Eligibility is based on duties performed, not job titles
• Candidates must align with the NOC lead statement and perform the majority of main duties
• Express Entry primary occupation does not have to match the Transport occupation for category eligibility
• Aviation roles are federally regulated, while automotive trades are regulated at the provincial level

Although work experience can be acquired globally, obtaining permanent residence in Canada does not automatically grant authorization to work in a regulated occupation. Post-landing, candidates may need to fulfill certification, licensing, or assessment requirements before practicing their trade, with specific requirements varying by occupation and province.