IRCC Issues 500 ITAs in Express Entry Draw #426 for Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience

By Vicky

Jul 11, 2026 | 3 min read

Express Entry Draw 426 targeted candidates under the Canadian Work Experience category, continuing Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) category-based approach to selecting skilled professionals. Held on July 10, 2026, the draw reflects IRCC’s ongoing efforts to invite candidates whose experience aligns with Canada’s labour market priorities. In this round, 500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence were issued. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required was 392, while the tie-breaking rule was set on March 15, 2026, at 01:46:05 UTC.

Key Highlights of Express Entry Draw 426

Draw Number: #426
Program: Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience, 2026 – Version 1
Date of Round: July 10, 2026
Invitations to Apply (ITAs): 500
Minimum CRS Score: 392
Tie-Breaking Rule: Candidates with the same CRS score had to have submitted their Express Entry profiles on or before March 15, 2026 at 01:46:05 UTC to be invited.

This is the second invitation round under the Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience category, indicating that IRCC continues to conduct targeted draws for candidates with leadership experience in Canada. Such category-specific rounds complement general Express Entry draws by focusing on applicants who meet particular economic and workforce needs.

Current Express Entry Category-Based Draws

Canada currently conducts category-based Express Entry draws across several priority categories to address labour shortages and support long-term economic growth.

Category	Focus
French-language Proficiency	Candidates with strong French language skills
Healthcare and Social Services Occupations	Healthcare and social service professionals
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Occupations	Skilled STEM professionals
Trade Occupations	Qualified tradespeople
Education Occupations	Teachers and education professionals
Transport Occupations	Transportation sector workers
Physicians with Canadian Work Experience	Doctors with eligible Canadian work experience
Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience	Experienced senior managers working in Canada
Researchers with Canadian Work Experience	Researchers with eligible Canadian work experience
Skilled Military Recruits	Qualified military personnel

Express Entry Trends in 2026

Canada’s Express Entry system continues to expand beyond traditional program-specific draws by introducing occupation-focused invitation rounds. Alongside draws for Provincial Nominee Program candidates, Canadian Experience Class applicants, and French-language proficiency candidates (Canada French Draws), IRCC has also introduced targeted selections for senior managers and other priority occupations.

This diversified approach enables Canada to respond more effectively to workforce demands while selecting candidates whose skills align with national and regional economic priorities.

Looking Ahead

As Canada continues to expand its use of category-based selection, applicants should keep a close watch on IRCC‘s invitation rounds relevant to their qualifications and experience. The latest draw for Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience reinforces the importance of targeted immigration pathways, offering eligible candidates another opportunity to move closer to Canadian permanent residence.