Canada has conducted a new round of invitations through its Express Entry immigration system, marking the debut draw under a newly introduced category targeting experienced senior managers. The latest selection round reflects the government’s ongoing effort to attract highly skilled professionals who already have Canadian work experience in leadership positions.
The draw was organised by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), which manages the country’s economic immigration programs under the Express Entry system.
Also Read Canada Launches First Express Entry Draw for Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience
250 Invitations Issued to Senior Managers
In this latest selection round, IRCC issued 250 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to eligible candidates working in senior management roles in Canada. Applicants invited in this draw needed to meet two key conditions to qualify:
- A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 429
- An Express Entry profile created before 3:10 p.m. (UTC) on August 19, 2025
This draw represents the first time IRCC has targeted the Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience category since announcing new category-based selection groups earlier this year.
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First Draw Under Newly Introduced Category
The Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience category was introduced as part of immigration policy adjustments announced in February 2026. These changes expanded category-based draws by introducing additional occupational groups.
To qualify under this category, candidates must demonstrate:
- At least 12 months of work experience in Canada within the last three years
- Employment in one of the eligible senior management occupations listed under Canada’s National Occupation Classification (NOC) framework.
Eligible occupations include senior management roles across several industries:
- Senior managers in construction, transportation, production, and utilities
- Senior managers in trade, broadcasting, and service sectors
- Senior managers in healthcare, education, social services, and membership organisations
- Senior managers in financial, communications, and business services
By targeting leadership positions, Canada aims to retain professionals already contributing to the domestic workforce and economy.
Express Entry Activity in 2026
The March 5 selection round represents the fourteenth Express Entry draw conducted in 2026. So far this year, immigration selections have largely focused on candidates already residing in Canada or those with strong ties to the country, particularly through Canadian work experience or provincial nominations.
Below is a summary of all Express Entry draws conducted so far in 2026.
| Draw date | Draw Type | CRS cut-off score | ITAs issued |
| March 5 | Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 429 | 250 |
| March 4 | French-Language proficiency | 397 | 5,500 |
| March 3 | Canadian Experience Class | 508 | 4,000 |
| March 2 | Provincial Nominee Program | 710 | 264 |
| February 20 | Healthcare and social services | 467 | 4,000 |
| February 19 | Physicians with Canadian work experience | 169 | 391 |
| February 17 | Canadian Experience Class | 508 | 6,000 |
| February 16 | Provincial Nominee Program | 789 | 279 |
| February 6 | French-Language proficiency | 400 | 8,500 |
| February 3 | Provincial Nominee Program | 749 | 423 |
| January 21 | Canadian Experience Class | 509 | 6,000 |
| January 20 | Provincial Nominee Program | 746 | 681 |
| January 7 | Canadian Experience Class | 511 | 8,000 |
| January 5 | Provincial Nominee Program | 711 | 574 |
Types of Express Entry Draws Conducted in 2026
So far this year, IRCC has used several different selection categories to invite candidates from the Express Entry pool.
| Draw Type | Number of Draws |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 5 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 4 |
| French-Language proficiency | 2 |
| Physicians with Canadian work experience | 1 |
| Healthcare and social services | 1 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 1 |
Total Invitations Issued So Far in 2026
Across all draws conducted this year, Canada has issued 50,862 Invitations to Apply for permanent residence through Express Entry.
The distribution of invitations across draw categories is shown below:
| Draw type | ITAs Issued |
| Canadian Experience Class | 24,000 |
| French-Language proficiency | 14,000 |
| Healthcare and social services | 4,000 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 1,798 |
| Physicians with Canadian work experience | 391 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 250 |
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Canada Prioritising Candidates with Domestic Experience
Recent Express Entry trends indicate that Canada is increasingly prioritising candidates who are already working in the country or who have strong connections to the Canadian labour market. Draws targeting Canadian Experience Class candidates, provincial nominees, and specialised occupations have dominated selections so far in 2026.
The addition of the senior managers category signals Canada’s interest in retaining experienced professionals in leadership roles who can contribute to economic growth and business development across key industries.
