Express Entry: Canada Invites 250 Senior Managers in Latest Draw

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has invited 250 senior managers with Canadian work experience to apply for permanent residence through Express Entry.

The September 16 draw targeted candidates in the Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience category. To qualify, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 389 and had to create their Express Entry profile before 11:05 p.m. UTC on September 1, 2026.

Lower CRS Cut-Off for Senior Managers

The CRS cut-off of 389 was the lowest recorded in any 2026 Express Entry draw for senior managers with Canadian work experience.

The previous draw for this group took place on July 10, when IRCC issued 500 invitations with a CRS cut-off of 392. An earlier senior manager draw on March 5 invited 250 candidates with a score of 429.

With the latest round, IRCC has now held 56 Express Entry draws in 2026.

Recent Draws Continue Busy September

The senior manager round followed two other Express Entry draws earlier in the week.

On September 15, IRCC invited 2,000 Canadian Experience Class candidates with a CRS cut-off of 519. A day earlier, 576 Provincial Nominee Program candidates received invitations with a cut-off of 734.

Earlier in September, the department also issued 3,500 invitations to healthcare and social services workers, 229 to physicians with Canadian work experience, and 2,000 to Canadian Experience Class candidates.

IRCC’s 2026 Express Entry activity has continued to focus heavily on applicants with ties to Canada, particularly provincial nominees and people with Canadian work experience.

Work Options While PR Applications Are Processed

Some foreign nationals already in Canada who apply for permanent residence through Express Entry may be eligible for a Bridging Open Work Permit.

A BOWP can allow eligible applicants to continue working while their permanent residence application is being processed.

If a person’s existing work permit expires before a BOWP application is finalized, they may continue working under the conditions of the expired permit through maintained status, provided they remain in Canada. Eligible family members may also qualify to apply for a BOWP.

More Than 128,000 Invitations Issued This Year

So far in 2026, IRCC has issued 128,982 invitations to apply through Express Entry.

Canadian Experience Class draws account for 53,250 invitations, while French-language proficiency draws have issued 50,500.

Healthcare and social services draws have produced 11,500 invitations, while Provincial Nominee Program draws account for 8,537. Trades candidates have received 3,000 invitations, and senior managers with Canadian work experience have received 1,000.

IRCC has also issued 891 invitations to physicians with Canadian work experience, 300 in the transport category and four to skilled military recruits.

By draw count, Provincial Nominee Program selections lead with 18 rounds, followed by 16 Canadian Experience Class draws and 10 French-language proficiency draws. Senior managers, physicians, and healthcare and social services candidates have each been targeted three times so far this year.

The September 16 draw became the third senior manager selection of 2026 and continued IRCC’s pattern of targeted Express Entry rounds for candidates with specific skills and Canadian experience.