What this category means
The category targets senior leadership experience gained in Canada across major sectors.
Category eligibility comes after Express Entry eligibility
You must first qualify for the Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program or Federal Skilled Trades Program and have a valid Express Entry profile. A category does not replace those program rules.
Who may qualify
- Be eligible for at least one of the three federal programs managed by Express Entry.
- Have a valid profile in the Express Entry pool when IRCC holds the round.
- Meet every requirement in the ministerial instructions for that specific round.
- Within the 3 years before the round, have at least 12 months of full-time work experience—or an equal amount of part-time experience—in one listed occupation. The experience does not need to be continuous and may be gained in canada.
Eligible occupations
IRCC uses the 2021 NOC codes below. Match the lead statement and actual main duties—not only a similar job title.
| Official occupation title | 2021 NOC | TEER |
|---|---|---|
| Senior managers — financial, communications and other business services | 00012 | 0 |
| Senior managers — health, education, social and community services and membership organizations | 00013 | 0 |
| Senior managers — trade, broadcasting and other services | 00014 | 0 |
| Senior managers — construction, transportation, production and utilities | 00015 | 0 |
The Canadian senior-management requirement
This category is limited to four top-executive NOCs and requires at least 12 months of qualifying work performed in Canada. A manager title alone does not establish senior-manager NOC 00012, 00013, 00014 or 00015.
Four eligible NOCs
Senior managers in business services; health, education and community services; trade, broadcasting and other services; and construction, transportation, production and utilities.
Executive-level duties matter
The evidence should show enterprise-level authority, organizational direction, resource allocation and other duties of the claimed NOC—not merely supervision of a team, department or local operation.
All qualifying category experience must be in Canada and authorized. Corporate titles vary widely, so the organization chart, reporting level, scope of authority and detailed duties may be as important as the title and salary.
Latest 2026 senior-manager round
Round #426 was the first Senior managers with Canadian Work Experience, 2026-Version 1 round.
Date and time
July 10, 2026 · 10:42:46 UTC
Invitations
500
Lowest CRS
392
Tie-breaking rule
March 15, 2026 · 01:46:05 UTC
Senior managers with Canadian Work Experience, 2026-Version 1 · round #426
Invitations could be issued to eligible Express Entry candidates under the federal programs identified in the round instructions.
CRS 392 applies only to round #426. It is not a general senior-manager threshold and does not guarantee another round will use a similar cut-off.
Open official round #426How category-based selection works
- 01
Qualify for Express Entry
Meet the minimum rules of CEC, FSWP or FSTP and create an accurate profile.
- 02
IRCC identifies eligible profiles
IRCC checks the profile information against the requirements of the announced category.
- 03
Candidates are ranked by CRS
Eligible category candidates are still ranked against one another using their CRS scores.
- 04
Highest-ranking candidates may be invited
The number invited, cut-off, tie-breaker and exact category rules are set for the individual round.
- 05
Submit the permanent-residence application
An invited candidate must prove both program and category eligibility with documents and remain admissible to Canada.
Documents to prepare
- Canadian employer letters with detailed duties, dates, hours and pay
- Work authorization and evidence you were physically working in Canada
- T4 slips, Notices of Assessment, pay records or contracts where relevant
- Evidence matching the claimed 2021 NOC
- All documents required by the underlying Express Entry program
Important limits
- Meeting a category requirement does not add separate CRS points and does not guarantee that IRCC will hold a round for that category.
- The category occupation list, work-experience period and round instructions can change. The live IRCC page and the instructions for the exact round control.
- An invitation does not remove the need to prove the underlying Express Entry program, the CRS score claimed, category eligibility and admissibility.
- A job title alone is not enough for an occupation category. The evidence must support the correct NOC lead statement and main duties.
Frequently asked questions
Does any manager position qualify?
No. The list contains only four senior-manager NOCs beginning with 000. Middle managers, department managers and many general managers may fall under different NOCs.
Can foreign senior-management experience count?
Not for the 12-month requirement of this category. The qualifying category experience must be in Canada, though foreign experience may matter to the underlying Express Entry program or CRS.
Can I combine two senior-manager NOCs?
No. The qualifying 12 months must be accumulated in one listed occupation. Non-continuous periods can be combined only within that same NOC.
How do I prove executive-level duties?
A detailed employer letter is central. Depending on the facts, organizational charts, corporate records, reporting structure, signing authority, budgets, board materials, T4s and pay records may help support the claimed level.
Can part-time Canadian experience count?
An equal amount of qualifying part-time work may count. The dates, hours, authorization and duties must be documented.
Does unauthorized work count?
No. Unauthorized Canadian work is excluded by the ministerial instructions.
Does this category add CRS points?
No. Category membership does not create separate CRS points. Eligible candidates are ranked by their existing CRS score.
Is CRS 392 likely for the next round?
It cannot be predicted from round #426. Each round depends on the eligible pool, invitation total and instructions issued at that time.
Official government sources
General information only. This page was reviewed on the date shown, but IRCC may change categories or instructions without notice. Verify the live government source before relying on any requirement.