Canada Holds First Express Entry Draw for Senior Managers: What Business Owners Need to Know
Canada has conducted the first round of invitations under the new Express Entry category for Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience, an important development for business owners operating companies in Canada who are pursuing permanent residence.
The draw, Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience – 2026 Version 1, took place on March 5, 2026.
Invitations issued: 250
Minimum CRS score: 429
This was a very small draw, indicating that there are few Senior Managers reaching 429 points in the pool. While 429 CRS points is still somewhat high, it remains competitive considering that many candidates in this category are experienced business owners over the age of 45, who typically receive few or no points for age under the Express Entry system.
What This Means for Business Owners
Work permit holders who operate businesses in Canada may qualify under this category if they meet the definition of a senior manager. This means actively managing managers and employees within the company. Simply owning or registering a business in Canada is not sufficient.
Since June 2024, senior managers with Canadian work experience competed under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). With this new category, they now compete within a more targeted pool of senior managers.
Looking Ahead
Since this was the first draw under the new category, it remains to be seen how the program will evolve during 2026. Future rounds will show whether more invitations are issued and whether the CRS cutoff decreases.
At North Horizon Immigration, we continue to monitor these developments closely to help our business immigration clients position themselves strategically under the new Express Entry categories.
Do you want to understand whether you qualify under this new category? Book a professional consultation with Rita Benkhalti, Senior Immigration Consultant at North Horizon Immigration, to assess your profile and prepare a strategy to reach your immigration goals.
