Express Entry Draw #444: Canada Issues 250 ITAs to Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted Express Entry Draw #444 on September 16, 2026, targeting a highly specific occupational category. The draw issued 250 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates classified as senior managers with Canadian work experience under the 2026 NOC version, with a minimum CRS cutoff score of 389.
This category-based selection round continues Canada's strategic use of targeted draws to address specific labour market gaps — in this case, experienced senior-level management talent already embedded in the Canadian workforce.
Draw #444 at a Glance
- Draw Number: 444
- Draw Date: September 16, 2026
- Draw Type: Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience (2026-Version 1)
- Invitations Issued: 250
- Minimum CRS Score: 389
What This CRS Cutoff Means for Applicants in the Pool
A CRS cutoff of 389 is notably low by Express Entry standards. To put this in perspective, all-program draws and Canadian Experience Class draws have historically demanded scores well above 490 in competitive periods. For a targeted draw of this nature, 389 represents a genuinely accessible threshold — one that opens the door for candidates who may have been waiting in the pool for an extended period without receiving an ITA through general draws.
For senior managers already working in Canada, this cutoff is particularly meaningful. Many candidates in this occupational profile may not have maximized their CRS score through language tests or additional education credentials, yet their hands-on Canadian management experience is precisely what IRCC is targeting. A score of 389 can realistically be achieved through a combination of age, Canadian work experience points, moderate language scores, and core human capital factors — without needing a spouse's language scores or a provincial nomination to reach the threshold.
If you received an ITA through this draw, you will have 60 days to submit a complete permanent residence application. Ensure your profile information — particularly your NOC code, employment details, and work history dates — is accurate before submitting.
How Draw #444 Compares to Recent Draws of the Same Type
Category-based selection draws targeting senior managers with Canadian work experience have historically been issued in limited volumes, typically ranging between 200 and 500 invitations per round. The 250 ITAs issued in Draw #444 sit at the lower end of that range, suggesting IRCC is continuing to calibrate intake carefully for this occupational group rather than opening the floodgates.
The 389 CRS cutoff is consistent with — and in some cases lower than — previous rounds targeting this same category, reinforcing a pattern: senior manager draws tend to reward candidates with strong Canadian work experience even when their overall CRS score is modest. Candidates who have been tracking these draws should note that the cutoff has remained relatively stable, suggesting the eligible pool for this category is not growing rapidly. That stability works in favour of candidates who continue to maintain an active profile.
Compared to broader Canadian Experience Class draws, which routinely see cutoffs in the 500s, a score of 389 in a targeted draw like this one demonstrates the clear advantage of qualifying for a specific occupational category rather than competing in the general pool.
Who Specifically Benefits from This Draw
Draw #444 directly benefits Express Entry candidates who meet all of the following criteria:
- Hold or have held a position classified under a senior manager NOC code in the 2026 version of Canada's National Occupational Classification system
- Have accumulated qualifying Canadian work experience in that senior management role
- Maintain an active Express Entry profile with a CRS score of 389 or above
- Are eligible under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class, or Federal Skilled Trades Program
This draw is particularly well-suited for mid-career professionals who transitioned into senior management roles during their time in Canada — including those who may have entered the country through a work permit, climbed the corporate ladder, and are now seeking a permanent pathway. If your NOC code accurately reflects executive or senior-level management responsibilities under the 2026 classification, this draw was designed with you in mind.
What Applicants Just Below the 389 Cutoff Should Do Right Now
If your CRS score currently sits below 389 and you qualify for the senior managers category, do not become discouraged — there are concrete steps you can take to improve your standing ahead of future draws.
- Retake your language tests. Achieving CLB 9 or higher in all four abilities under IELTS or CELPIP can add significant CRS points. Even improving one band in one category can shift your score meaningfully.
- Verify your NOC code. Ensure your Express Entry profile accurately reflects your current or most recent senior management role under the 2026 NOC version. A misclassified occupation could exclude you from future category-based draws entirely.
- Accumulate additional Canadian work experience. Each additional year of skilled Canadian work experience can add points to your CRS score. If you are close to crossing a threshold, timing matters.
- Explore a provincial nomination. A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points instantly, making it the single most effective way to guarantee an ITA regardless of category-