Canada has invited 250 senior managers
with Canadian work experience to apply for permanent residence through the Express Entry system.
In a draw held on September 16, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 250 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) under the Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience category.
Candidates required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 389 to receive an invitation. This draw recorded the lowest CRS cut-off score for senior managers with Canadian work experience in 2026.
Canada Express Entry Draw: September 16, 2026
Latest Express Entry Draw Results
Draw Details | Information |
Draw date | September 16, 2026 |
Draw category | Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience |
Invitations issued | 250 |
Minimum CRS score | 389 |
Tie-breaking date | September 1, 2026 |
Tie-breaking time | 11:05 p.m. UTC |
Candidates needed a minimum CRS score of 389 and an Express Entry profile created before 11:05 p.m. UTC on September 1, 2026, to meet the tie-breaking rule. The tie-breaking rule is used when multiple candidates have the same CRS score as the lowest-ranked candidate invited in the draw.
What Is the Senior Managers With Canadian Work Experience Category?
The Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience category is part of Canada’s category-based Express Entry selection system. It targets eligible candidates with senior management experience in Canada who meet the applicable Express Entry requirements.
Candidates must qualify for an eligible Express Entry program and satisfy the category-specific criteria established by IRCC. Having senior management experience does not automatically guarantee an invitation. Candidates must meet the requirements of the relevant category and have a competitive CRS score for the particular draw.
Why Does the CRS Cut-Off Matter?
The Comprehensive Ranking System is the points-based system IRCC uses to rank candidates in the Express Entry pool. Candidates receive points based on factors such as:
- Age
- Education
- English or French language proficiency
- Skilled work experience
- Canadian work experience
- Spouse or partner factors, where applicable
- Additional factors, including provincial nomination
The minimum CRS score of 389 represents the score of the lowest-ranked candidate invited in this particular draw. The CRS cut-off can change between draws depending on the number of invitations issued, the category being targeted, and the distribution of scores in the Express Entry pool.
Express Entry Draws in September 2026
IRCC has continued to conduct Express Entry draws targeting candidates under different immigration categories.
Draw Date | Draw Category | ITAs Issued | CRS Cut-Off |
September 16 | Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 250 | 389 |
September 15 | Canadian Experience Class | 2,000 | 519 |
September 14 | Provincial Nominee Program | 576 | 734 |
September 4 | Healthcare and Social Services | 3,500 | 475 |
September 3 | Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 229 | 198 |
September 1 | Canadian Experience Class | 2,000 | 521 |
The September 16 draw was the third selection round targeting senior managers with Canadian work experience in 2026. It followed the September 15 Canadian Experience Class draw, which issued 2,000 invitations with a minimum CRS score of 519.
Express Entry Draws Conducted in 2026
Following the September 16 selection, Canada had conducted 56 Express Entry draws in 2026. IRCC had issued a total of 128,982 invitations to apply through the Express Entry system.
Invitations Issued by Draw Category
Draw Category | ITAs Issued in 2026 |
Canadian Experience Class | 53,250 |
French-language proficiency | 50,500 |
Healthcare and Social Services | 11,500 |
Provincial Nominee Program | 8,537 |
Trades | 3,000 |
Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 891 |
Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 1,000 |
Transport | 300 |
Skilled Military Recruits | 4 |
Total | 128,982 |
IRCC has continued to issue invitations through several Express Entry categories, including candidates with Canadian work experience, French-language proficiency, provincial nominations, and experience in selected occupations. The number of invitations issued does not represent the number of candidates who have already become permanent residents. Invited candidates must submit complete applications and satisfy federal immigration requirements.
How Can Senior Managers Qualify for Express Entry?
Senior managers interested in applying for Canadian permanent residence should first determine whether they meet the requirements of an eligible Express Entry program. The main Express Entry programs include:
1. Canadian Experience Class
The Canadian Experience Class is designed for skilled workers who have gained qualifying work experience in Canada. Candidates must meet the program’s work experience and language requirements, along with the other applicable eligibility criteria.
2. Federal Skilled Worker Program
The Federal Skilled Worker Program is designed for skilled workers with qualifying work experience who meet the program’s eligibility requirements. Applicants are assessed on factors including education, language proficiency, work experience, age, and other selection criteria.
3. Provincial Nominee Program
Provincial Nominee Programs allow participating provinces and territories to nominate eligible foreign nationals for permanent residence. Some provincial nomination streams are aligned with Express Entry and may provide additional CRS points to nominated candidates. Senior managers should review the specific requirements of each pathway before submitting an application or Expression of Interest.
What Happens After Receiving an Invitation to Apply?
Candidates who receive an ITA through Express Entry must submit a complete permanent residence application within the deadline specified in their invitation. The general process includes:
- Review the invitation: Confirm the draw details, eligibility, and application deadline.
- Prepare supporting documents: Gather identity documents, language test results, education credentials, employment records, and other required evidence.
- Complete the online application: Provide accurate information and upload all required documents.
- Pay applicable fees: Pay the required application and associated fees.
- Submit the application: Submit the complete application before the deadline.
- Wait for IRCC’s decision: IRCC reviews the application and determines whether the candidate meets the requirements for permanent residence.
Receiving an ITA does not guarantee permanent residence approval. IRCC must assess the complete application before making a final decision.
Can Senior Managers Apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit?
Foreign nationals in Canada who have applied for permanent residence through Express Entry may be eligible to apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP). A BOWP can allow eligible applicants to continue working in Canada while waiting for a decision on their permanent residence application.
If an eligible applicant’s current work permit expires before the BOWP application is finalized, they may benefit from maintained status and continue working under the conditions of their expired permit, provided they remain in Canada and meet the applicable requirements. Qualifying family members may also be eligible to apply for a BOWP. Applicants should confirm their individual eligibility and work authorization conditions before relying on maintained status.
What This Draw Means for Prospective Applicants
The September 16 draw highlights IRCC’s continued use of category-based selection to invite candidates with specific professional backgrounds and Canadian work experience. For senior managers who qualify for the category, the draw provides an opportunity to apply for permanent residence through Express Entry.
However, the selection of 250 candidates does not guarantee that future draws will have the same CRS cut-off or number of invitations.
Prospective applicants should:
- Review the eligibility criteria for the relevant Express Entry program.
- Confirm that their work experience meets the category-specific requirements.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date Express Entry profiles.
- Monitor IRCC announcements and future draw results.
- Explore other immigration pathways if they do not qualify for this category.
Key Takeaways
- IRCC issued 250 invitations in the September 16, 2026, Express Entry draw.
- The draw targeted senior managers with Canadian work experience.
- The minimum CRS cut-off score was 389.
- Candidates needed to create their profiles before September 1, 2026, at 11:05 p.m. UTC to meet the tie-breaking rule.
- This was the third senior managers draw conducted in 2026.
- Canada had conducted 56 Express Entry draws in 2026.
- IRCC had issued 128,982 invitations through Express Entry following the September 16 draw.
- Receiving an invitation does not guarantee permanent residence approval.
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Disclaimer
This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Immigration programs, processing times, eligibility requirements, and application procedures may change without notice. Readers should consult official Government of Canada resources or seek professional immigration advice before making any immigration decisions.
