Express Entry draw 453 saw Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada issue 150 invitations to apply for permanent residence on October 28, 2026.
The category-based round targeted candidates eligible under the Transport Occupations, 2026-Version 2 category. The CRS score of the lowest-ranked invited candidate was 477.
IRCC recorded the round at 10:34:14 UTC. The tie-breaking timestamp was June 4, 2026, at 21:48:22 UTC.
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Express Entry Draw 453 Results
The round selected candidates in the Express Entry pool who met the transport occupations category requirements and ranked among the highest-scoring eligible candidates for the round.
| Draw detail | Result |
|---|---|
| Draw number | 453 |
| Date | October 28, 2026 |
| Round type | Transport Occupations, 2026-Version 2 |
| Invitations issued | 150 |
| Lowest CRS score invited | 477 |
| Round time | 10:34:14 UTC |
| Tie-breaking timestamp | June 4, 2026 at 21:48:22 UTC |
The CRS cutoff is the score of the lowest-ranked candidate invited in the round. If more than one candidate has the lowest score, IRCC uses the date and time their Express Entry profiles were submitted to determine which profiles fall within the available invitations.
Who Was Targeted by the Transport Occupations Draw
IRCC’s transport occupations category requires candidates to have at least 12 months of full-time work experience, or an equivalent amount of part-time experience, within the previous three years in a single eligible occupation. The experience may have been gained in Canada or abroad and does not need to be continuous.
- Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors — NOC 72404.
- Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors — NOC 72600.
- Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors — NOC 22313.
- Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics, and mechanical repairers — NOC 72410.
Meeting the occupational requirement alone does not guarantee an invitation. Candidates must also meet the requirements of an Express Entry program and the instructions applicable to the specific round.
Which Express Entry Programs Were Included
IRCC’s draw data identifies the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class and Federal Skilled Trades Program as the programs associated with this category-based round. Candidates enter the Express Entry pool only after meeting the eligibility requirements of at least one Express Entry program.
While in the pool, candidates receive a Comprehensive Ranking System score based on factors including skills, education, language ability and work experience. In a category-based round, IRCC identifies candidates who meet the category requirements, ranks them by CRS score and invites the highest-ranking candidates within the number set for the round.
What a CRS Score of 477 Means
For this Express Entry draw, a CRS score of 477 was the score of the lowest-ranked candidate invited in draw 453. Candidates with scores above 477 were within the score range of the round if they also met the transport category and Express Entry requirements.
A candidate with exactly 477 points was invited only if their profile was submitted before the tie-breaking timestamp used for the round. The result should not be treated as a guaranteed target for a future draw because cutoffs can change according to the number of invitations, the candidate pool and the type of round.
What Invited Candidates Should Do Next
An invitation to apply is not an approval for permanent residence. Invited candidates should review their Express Entry profile and submit a complete permanent residence application within 60 days of receiving the invitation. If they do not apply within that period, the invitation expires and their profile is removed from the pool.
The application must support the information declared in the profile, including work history, language test results, education, identity documents and other applicable evidence. Candidates should ensure that their claimed occupation matches the duties and requirements of the applicable NOC. An occupation title alone does not establish that work experience qualifies.
Applicants must continue to meet program eligibility and admissibility requirements when IRCC assesses the application. Inaccurate or incomplete information can result in refusal and may have other immigration consequences.
How the Draw Fits Into Category-Based Selection
Category-based selection allows IRCC to invite candidates who meet a specific economic or labour-market objective in addition to ranking them by CRS score. Transport occupations are among the Express Entry categories identified for 2026. The category-based process supplements general and program-specific rounds rather than replacing them.
A candidate may be eligible for Express Entry but not meet the requirements of a particular category-based round. Similarly, meeting a category requirement does not guarantee an invitation if the candidate’s CRS score or ranking falls outside the positions selected.
Express Entry Draw 453 in Context
Draw 453 followed a French-language proficiency round on October 27, 2026. Draw 452 issued 5,000 invitations at a CRS cutoff of 407. The previous transport occupations round was draw 434, held on August 7, 2026, which issued 300 invitations at a CRS cutoff of 470.
The 2026-Version 2 label identifies the category and version of the instructions used for the round. It does not make every candidate working in the broader transport sector automatically eligible.
Key Takeaways From the October 28 Draw
- IRCC issued 150 invitations in Express Entry draw 453.
- The round selected candidates under Transport Occupations, 2026-Version 2.
- The CRS score of the lowest-ranked invited candidate was 477.
- The round took place on October 28, 2026, at 10:34:14 UTC.
- The tie-breaking timestamp was June 4, 2026, at 21:48:22 UTC.
- The category covered four specified aircraft, aviation and automotive mechanical occupations.
- Invited candidates have 60 days to submit a complete permanent residence application.
Express Entry draw results describe one invitation round and do not guarantee future selection. Candidates should rely on their current IRCC profile, the applicable ministerial instructions and official application guidance when deciding how to proceed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many invitations were issued in Express Entry draw 453?
IRCC issued 150 invitations to apply for permanent residence in draw 453 on October 28, 2026.
What was the CRS cutoff for the October 28, 2026 Express Entry draw?
The CRS cutoff was 477 for the Transport Occupations, 2026-Version 2 round.
Which occupations were included in the transport occupations category?
The category includes selected 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.
What was the tie-breaking rule for Express Entry draw 453?
The tie-breaking timestamp was June 4, 2026 at 21:48:22 UTC. Candidates with a CRS score of 477 needed profiles submitted before that timestamp to rank within the invitations available.
How long do invited candidates have to submit their permanent residence application?
IRCC’s category-based selection guidance states that invited candidates have 60 days to submit a complete permanent residence application.
Fact-Checked: The draw date, round type, 150 invitations, CRS cutoff of 477, draw time and tie-breaking timestamp were checked against IRCC’s official draw record and supporting category-based selection guidance.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not replace the applicable IRCC instructions or professional immigration advice.

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