Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted Express Entry Draw #402 on March 5, 2026, issuing 250 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience candidates. The minimum CRS score required was 429 points.

This is a highly targeted category draw aimed at senior executives and managers already working in Canada. A CRS of 429 is accessible — the challenge is qualifying for the category in the first place. Use our Eligibility Assessment to confirm you meet the NOC and experience requirements.

Draw #402 at a Glance

Who Qualifies as a Senior Manager?

The Senior Managers category targets candidates in NOC TEER 0 management occupations with Canadian work experience. Qualifying NOC codes include:

If you are working in a VP, Director, or C-suite role in Canada under one of these NOC codes, you likely qualify. Use our Eligibility Assessment to verify your NOC classification.

CRS 429 — Lower Than You'd Expect

For a senior management draw, 429 is a relatively low cutoff. This reflects the small size of the eligible pool — there simply are not that many senior managers in the Express Entry system with valid Canadian work experience at the executive level. When the pool is small, the cutoff drops to accommodate all eligible candidates.

A typical profile clearing 429: a Director of Operations at a Canadian technology company with 3 years of Canadian experience, IELTS at CLB 8, and a Master's degree. Use our CRS Simulator to model your exact score.

My Take

Senior manager draws are niche but powerful. If you qualify — meaning you are genuinely in a senior management role under the right NOC code — this pathway offers a lower CRS requirement than virtually any other non-French, non-physician category. The key is NOC accuracy. Many people misclassify themselves as senior managers when their role falls under a mid-level management code. Get a professional NOC review via our Eligibility Assessment before building your profile around this category.

Frequently Asked Questions

What NOC codes qualify for the Senior Managers Express Entry category?

NOC codes 00010–00015 under TEER 0 qualify. These include corporate executives, senior government officials, and senior operations managers. Use our Eligibility Assessment to confirm your specific NOC.

Do I need Canadian work experience for the Senior Managers draw?

Yes — this specific category (2026-Version 1) requires Canadian work experience as a senior manager. Foreign management experience alone is not sufficient for this draw.

How is the Senior Managers category different from a regular CEC draw?

The CEC draw covers all NOC TEER 0–3 occupations. The Senior Managers category is more selective — only TEER 0 management NOC codes qualify — but benefits from a much lower CRS cutoff due to the smaller pool size.

Can a small business owner qualify as a senior manager?

Generally no — self-employment and business ownership are treated differently under Express Entry. Senior manager draws target employees in management roles, not self-employed business owners. Consult our Eligibility Assessment for a case-specific review.