Canada held its latest Express Entry invitation round on September 16, 2026, inviting 250 candidates under a category for senior managers with Canadian work experience. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score in the round was 389.
The latest invitation round, identified as Express Entry Draw #444, focused on experienced professionals who meet the eligibility requirements of the targeted category. Selected candidates can now proceed with their applications for Canadian permanent residence, subject to meeting the applicable immigration requirements.
Express Entry Draw #444: Key Details
✅ Invitation Round: #444
✅ Date of Round: September 16, 2026
✅ Type of Draw: Senior managers with Canadian Work Experience
✅ Number of ITAs Issued: 250
✅ CRS Score of Lowest-Ranked Candidate Invited: 389
About the Latest Express Entry Round
The September 16 draw was a category-based invitation round focused on senior managers with qualifying Canadian work experience. Category-based Express Entry rounds allow Canada to invite candidates who meet specific criteria connected to its immigration priorities.
A total of 250 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued in this round. The lowest-ranked candidate invited had a CRS score of 389.
The CRS is used to rank candidates in the Express Entry pool. A candidate's score can be influenced by factors including age, education, language proficiency and work experience, along with other applicable criteria.
Purpose of the Draw
The targeted Express Entry round provides a pathway for eligible senior management professionals with Canadian work experience to apply for permanent residence.
Category-based selection enables Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to issue invitations to candidates with particular professional backgrounds or experience. For candidates receiving an ITA, the next stage involves submitting a complete permanent residence application along with the required supporting documents.
An ITA does not automatically result in permanent residence. Applicants must continue to meet the relevant eligibility and admissibility requirements throughout the application process.
Impact on Canadian Immigration
The latest draw gives 250 eligible senior managers with Canadian work experience an opportunity to move forward with their permanent residence applications.
The 389 CRS cut-off also reflects the ranking threshold for this specific category and invitation round. CRS requirements can vary between Express Entry draws depending on the category, number of invitations issued and composition of the candidate pool.
For professionals with Canadian work experience, category-based draws can provide an additional route through the Express Entry system when they meet the criteria established for the relevant category.
The September 16 invitation round adds another targeted draw to Canada's 2026 Express Entry activity, with 250 ITAs issued to senior managers with Canadian work experience at a CRS cut-off of 389.
Canada Express Entry Draw List 2026
Total ITAs issued in 2026: 128982