Express Entry
Express Entry Draw #402: Canada Invites 250 Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience
Canada has conducted Express Entry Draw #402, issuing 250 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence under the newly introduced Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience category. The draw took place on March 5, 2026, and marks the first time this category has been used for Express Entry selection.
The draw required candidates to have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 429. Additionally, candidates needed to have created their Express Entry profile before 3:10 p.m. UTC on August 19, 2025, based on the tie-breaking rule used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
This selection round represents the fourteenth Express Entry draw of 2026 and highlights Canada’s ongoing efforts to target candidates who already have valuable work experience within the country.
Table of Contents
Key Details of Express Entry Draw #402
Here are the main details from the latest Express Entry draw:
- Draw number: #402
- Date: March 5, 2026
- Category: Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience
- Invitations issued: 250
- Minimum CRS score: 429
- Tie-breaking rule: August 19, 2025 at 3:10 p.m. UTC
The draw focused on candidates who already have significant management experience in Canada, making them strong candidates for long-term economic integration.
New Category Introduced in February 2026
The Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience category was introduced as part of a broader Express Entry category overhaul announced in February 2026.
During that update, Canada introduced three new occupational categories designed to better align immigration selection with labour market priorities.
The goal of these new categories is to help Canada select immigrants with high-level professional experience that supports economic growth and industry leadership.
Eligible Occupations for the Senior Managers Category
To qualify for this category, candidates must have at least 12 months of Canadian work experience within the last three years in one of the following occupations under the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system:
- Senior managers – construction, transportation, production and utilities
- Senior managers – trade, broadcasting and other services
- Senior managers – health, education, social and community services and membership organizations
- Senior managers – financial, communications and other business services
These occupations represent leadership roles responsible for managing major operations, organizations, and economic sectors.
By targeting senior managers with Canadian experience, the government aims to retain individuals who already understand the country’s labour market and business environment.
Express Entry Draw Trends in 2026
So far in 2026, Express Entry draws have largely focused on candidates already living and working in Canada.
The draw distribution this year shows a strong emphasis on:
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC) applicants
- French-language proficiency candidates
- Category-based selections for specific occupations
Below is the breakdown of draw types held so far in 2026:
- Provincial Nominee Program: 5 draws
- Canadian Experience Class: 4 draws
- French-language proficiency: 2 draws
- Physicians with Canadian work experience: 1 draw
- Healthcare and social services occupations: 1 draw
- Senior managers with Canadian work experience: 1 draw
This approach reflects Canada’s strategy to prioritize applicants who can integrate quickly into the workforce.
Total Invitations Issued Through Express Entry in 2026
As of March 2026, IRCC has issued 39,362 ITAs across multiple categories.
The distribution of invitations is as follows:
- Canadian Experience Class: 24,000 ITAs
- French-language proficiency: 14,000 ITAs
- Healthcare and social services occupations: 4,000 ITAs
- Provincial Nominee Program: 1,798 ITAs
- Physicians with Canadian work experience: 391 ITAs
- Senior Managers with Canadian work experience: 250 ITAs
These figures show Canada’s continued reliance on economic immigration pathways to attract skilled professionals and support workforce needs.
What This Means for Express Entry Candidates
The introduction of the Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience category adds another targeted pathway for experienced professionals seeking Canadian permanent residence.
For candidates already working in leadership roles in Canada, the new category provides an opportunity to be selected through category-based Express Entry draws.
Canada’s immigration strategy continues to focus on individuals who can contribute immediately to the economy, particularly those with Canadian work experience, industry leadership, and specialized skills. With Express Entry draws continuing throughout 2026, eligible candidates are encouraged to maintain updated profiles and monitor upcoming selection rounds.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is Express Entry Draw #402?
Express Entry Draw #402 is a selection round conducted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada on March 5, 2026. The draw invited 250 candidates to apply for permanent residence under the Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience category.
2. What was the CRS score requirement for this draw?
Candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 429 to receive an invitation. If multiple candidates had the same score, the tie-breaking rule was applied based on the profile submission date.
3. What is the Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience category?
This category targets candidates who have at least 12 months of Canadian work experience in senior management occupations. It was introduced in February 2026 as part of a broader update to Express Entry category-based selections.
4. What occupations qualify under this category?
Eligible occupations include senior management roles in construction, transportation, trade, broadcasting, financial services, communications, healthcare administration, education management, and community services.
5. How many Express Entry invitations has Canada issued in 2026?
As of March 2026, Canada has issued 39,362 Invitations to Apply through Express Entry across various categories including Canadian Experience Class, French-language proficiency, healthcare occupations, and provincial nominee draws.
