Express Entry Draw Invites 250 Senior Managers at CRS 389
Introduction
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted another Express Entry draw, this time focusing on senior managers with Canadian work experience.
On September 16, 2026, IRCC issued 250 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score was 389.
September 16 Express Entry Draw
In this latest draw, IRCC selected candidates under the Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience category.
To receive an invitation, candidates needed to meet both of the following conditions:
- Have a minimum CRS score of 389.
- Have created their Express Entry profile before 11:05 p.m. UTC on September 1, 2026.
The tie-breaking rule helps IRCC decide which candidates to invite when several people have the same CRS score.
What Does This Draw Mean for Senior Managers?
This draw is important because the 389 CRS cutoff was the lowest score recorded in 2026 for the Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience category.
Moreover, it was the third draw for this category in 2026. Earlier in the year, IRCC also invited senior managers through similar selection rounds.
Therefore, senior managers who have Canadian work experience may want to keep their Express Entry profiles updated and make sure their information accurately reflects their qualifications.
Express Entry Draws Continue to Focus on Candidates With Canadian Experience
Meanwhile, Express Entry selections in 2026 have continued to include candidates who already have a connection to Canada.
In particular, IRCC has conducted several draws for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). It has also held category-based draws for specific groups, including senior managers, healthcare workers and French-speaking candidates.
As a result, candidates with Canadian work experience or other qualifying factors have seen several opportunities through different Express Entry categories.
Recent Express Entry Draws
The September 16 draw followed several other Express Entry selections:
| Date | Draw Type | CRS Cutoff | ITAs Issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 16 | Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 389 | 250 |
| September 15 | Canadian Experience Class | 519 | 2,000 |
| September 14 | Provincial Nominee Program | 734 | 576 |
| September 4 | Healthcare and Social Services | 475 | 3,500 |
With this latest round, IRCC has now conducted 56 Express Entry draws in 2026, according to the source article.
How Many Express Entry Draws Has Canada Held in 2026?
So far, IRCC has conducted draws across several categories. These include:
- Provincial Nominee Program: 18 draws
- Canadian Experience Class: 16 draws
- French-Language Proficiency: 10 draws
- Physicians with Canadian Work Experience: 3 draws
- Healthcare and Social Services: 3 draws
- Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience: 3 draws
- Trades: 1 draw
- Transport: 1 draw
- Skilled Military Recruits: 1 draw
This shows that IRCC has continued to use different Express Entry categories throughout the year rather than relying on only one type of draw.
Express Entry Invitations Issued in 2026
Furthermore, IRCC has issued 128,982 ITAs through Express Entry in 2026 across the different draw categories listed in the source.
The invitations include:
| Draw Type | ITAs Issued |
|---|---|
| Canadian Experience Class | 53,250 |
| French-Language Proficiency | 50,500 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 8,537 |
| Healthcare and Social Services | 11,500 |
| Trades | 3,000 |
| Transport | 300 |
| Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 891 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 1,000 |
| Skilled Military Recruits | 4 |
Senior managers have received 1,000 invitations in total through this category during 2026.
What Happens After Receiving an ITA?
After receiving an Invitation to Apply, candidates can move forward with their permanent residence application through Express Entry.
However, receiving an ITA does not mean permanent residence is automatically approved. Candidates still need to submit a complete application with the required documents within the given deadline.
For candidates already living and working in Canada, there may also be work permit options while their permanent residence application is being processed.
Bridging Open Work Permit for Eligible Applicants
In addition, some foreign nationals in Canada who have applied for permanent residence through Express Entry may qualify for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP).
A BOWP can help eligible applicants continue working while they wait for a decision on their permanent residence application.
If their current work permit expires while their BOWP application remains under processing, they may be able to benefit from maintained status. This can allow them to continue working under the conditions of their previous permit, provided they remain in Canada and meet the applicable requirements.
Eligible family members may also qualify for a BOWP in certain situations.
Final Takeaway
Overall, the September 16 Express Entry draw invited 250 senior managers with Canadian work experience at a CRS score of 389.
Importantly, this was the lowest CRS cutoff recorded in 2026 for the Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience category.
Therefore, candidates who may qualify for this or another Express Entry category should keep their profiles accurate and up to date. At the same time, they should regularly review their CRS score, eligibility and available immigration pathways as IRCC continues to conduct different types of draws throughout the year.
Get in touch with SPS Global
Receive advice on any of your questions regarding immigration. Get in touch with us, experienced immigration consultants from SPS Global. For additional information, contact support@spscanada.com (Canada) or support.amd@spscanada.com (Ahmedabad), or by phone at (1) 905-362-9393 (Canada) or +919586226232 (Ahmedabad).
