Truck Drivers - Express Entry or PNP in 2025?

[SpousalPR2023]

Hi Everyone,

Im trying to help a family member who is in Middle East with number of years driving long haul trucks across GCC. He has never been to Canada.
Tried to convince the person last year to apply for Canadian immigration but he seemed quite satisfied with his job and pay there. But all of a sudden now, he wants to apply.

CIC rules and regulations have tightened so much now. I dont know, if now is the time.

Regardless, if there happens to be anyone on this forum, who has some insight about Applicants who have Trucking experience and want to immigrate to Canada and continue their career in Trucking - I will request for your insight.

What is the best route now in 2025, for someone with above profile - Express Entry or PNP. If later, does anyone have any idea which province.
I checked Express Entry - it has Transport 73300 as the occupation listed in-demand occupations. I could not find any PNP explicity mentioning about Transport. Or perhaps I dont know where to look at..

Would be grateful if some experienced applicants or experts can give some direction and share their insight.

Kind regards.

 

[Mandalorian]

Hi Everyone,

Im trying to help a family member who is in Middle East with number of years driving long haul trucks across GCC. He has never been to Canada.
Tried to convince the person last year to apply for Canadian immigration but he seemed quite satisfied with his job and pay there. But all of a sudden now, he wants to apply.

CIC rules and regulations have tightened so much now. I dont know, if now is the time.

Regardless, if there happens to be anyone on this forum, who has some insight about Applicants who have Trucking experience and want to immigrate to Canada and continue their career in Trucking - I will request for your insight.

What is the best route now in 2025, for someone with above profile - Express Entry or PNP. If later, does anyone have any idea which province.
I checked Express Entry - it has Transport 73300 as the occupation listed in-demand occupations. I could not find any PNP explicity mentioning about Transport. Or perhaps I dont know where to look at..

Would be grateful if some experienced applicants or experts can give some direction and share their insight.

Kind regards.

I used CHAT GPT to find some answers.
This is what I found. I know you are looking for a human answer. But my knowledge about Trucking industry is limited.

1. Express Entry
Express Entry remains a robust pathway for skilled immigrants. Since the truck driving NOC (73300) is listed in the in-demand occupations, your family member might qualify. Here's what to consider:

Steps:

• Check CRS Score: Use the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) calculator to estimate your relative's score. Points are awarded for factors like age, work experience, education, and language skills.
• Language Proficiency: Encourage them to take a language test (IELTS or CELPIP). Achieving a higher score (CLB 7 or above) boosts the CRS score.
• Education Credential Assessment (ECA): Even though truck driving doesn’t require high formal education, an ECA for any degree or diploma can add points.

Challenges:

• CRS cutoffs have been high recently. If the score is low, a provincial nomination might be essential for a boost.

2. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
Several provinces have PNP streams targeting truck drivers. Since not all programs explicitly list trucking as a targeted occupation, research and updates are key.

Provinces to Watch:

• Saskatchewan:
  • The Hard-to-Fill Skills Pilot specifically targets NOC 73300. If the applicant has experience in long-haul trucking, this province may be ideal.
  • They need a job offer from a Saskatchewan employer, but many trucking companies are open to hiring internationally.
• Manitoba:
  • Trucking is a major industry in Manitoba. Check the Employer Direct Recruitment Pathway or other streams where a job offer is key.
• British Columbia:
  • BC’s Entry Level and Semi-Skilled (ELSS) stream accepts truck drivers, especially for jobs outside the Vancouver metro area.
• Ontario:
  • While Ontario typically focuses on high-skilled occupations, keep an eye on the Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills stream, as it has targeted trucking in the past.
• Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP):
  • Though technically not a PNP, this program is available for Atlantic provinces (Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and PEI). Trucking is often in demand here.

3. Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)

• Some trucking companies hire workers through the TFWP, which can eventually lead to permanent residency.
• Employers must obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This route may help your family member enter Canada quickly while building Canadian experience, which is valuable for PR.

4. Trucking Job Portals and Recruitment
Encourage your family member to apply directly to trucking companies that sponsor international hires:

• H&R Transport
• TransX
• Bison Transport
• Challenger Motor Freight

Preparation Tips:

1. Resume and References: Tailor the resume to Canadian standards, emphasizing safety, certifications, and years of experience.
2. Driving Record and Certifications:
   • Ensure the GCC driving record is clean.
   • Obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP), which might help demonstrate readiness.
3. Health and Safety Standards: Familiarize them with Canada’s safety standards, which are stricter than many GCC countries.

Recommendation:
Since Express Entry’s CRS cutoff is high, applying through a PNP with a job offer seems like the most viable route. Provinces like Saskatchewan and Manitoba are strong contenders for truck drivers. Simultaneously, explore the TFWP option to secure employment in Canada, which can ease the path to PR.

 

[SpousalPR2023]

I used CHAT GPT to find some answers.
This is what I found. I know you are looking for a human answer. But my knowledge about Trucking industry is limited.

1. Express Entry
Express Entry remains a robust pathway for skilled immigrants. Since the truck driving NOC (73300) is listed in the in-demand occupations, your family member might qualify. Here's what to consider:

Steps:

• Check CRS Score: Use the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) calculator to estimate your relative's score. Points are awarded for factors like age, work experience, education, and language skills.
• Language Proficiency: Encourage them to take a language test (IELTS or CELPIP). Achieving a higher score (CLB 7 or above) boosts the CRS score.
• Education Credential Assessment (ECA): Even though truck driving doesn’t require high formal education, an ECA for any degree or diploma can add points.

Challenges:

• CRS cutoffs have been high recently. If the score is low, a provincial nomination might be essential for a boost.

2. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
Several provinces have PNP streams targeting truck drivers. Since not all programs explicitly list trucking as a targeted occupation, research and updates are key.

Provinces to Watch:

• Saskatchewan:
  • The Hard-to-Fill Skills Pilot specifically targets NOC 73300. If the applicant has experience in long-haul trucking, this province may be ideal.
  • They need a job offer from a Saskatchewan employer, but many trucking companies are open to hiring internationally.
• Manitoba:
  • Trucking is a major industry in Manitoba. Check the Employer Direct Recruitment Pathway or other streams where a job offer is key.
• British Columbia:
  • BC’s Entry Level and Semi-Skilled (ELSS) stream accepts truck drivers, especially for jobs outside the Vancouver metro area.
• Ontario:
  • While Ontario typically focuses on high-skilled occupations, keep an eye on the Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills stream, as it has targeted trucking in the past.
• Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP):
  • Though technically not a PNP, this program is available for Atlantic provinces (Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and PEI). Trucking is often in demand here.

3. Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)

• Some trucking companies hire workers through the TFWP, which can eventually lead to permanent residency.
• Employers must obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This route may help your family member enter Canada quickly while building Canadian experience, which is valuable for PR.

4. Trucking Job Portals and Recruitment
Encourage your family member to apply directly to trucking companies that sponsor international hires:

• H&R Transport
• TransX
• Bison Transport
• Challenger Motor Freight

Preparation Tips:

1. Resume and References: Tailor the resume to Canadian standards, emphasizing safety, certifications, and years of experience.
2. Driving Record and Certifications:
   • Ensure the GCC driving record is clean.
   • Obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP), which might help demonstrate readiness.
3. Health and Safety Standards: Familiarize them with Canada’s safety standards, which are stricter than many GCC countries.

Recommendation:
Since Express Entry’s CRS cutoff is high, applying through a PNP with a job offer seems like the most viable route. Provinces like Saskatchewan and Manitoba are strong contenders for truck drivers. Simultaneously, explore the TFWP option to secure employment in Canada, which can ease the path to PR.

Thanks Mandolorian --- seems chat gpt needs to fine tune its algo to search a bit deeper.
From what i read on Sask PNP website, it requires the person to have experience gained inside SK.
Similar kind of minute details which makes chatgpt info not really helpful.
It keeps saying that high CRS score is required, while the last Express Entry draw for Truckers in October 2024 - was 433.

So I would prefer to wait and hear from someone who has actually applied, or someone who have looked into immigration pathway for Truckers after the recent changes.

Thank you for your help though.