Canada Invites 250 Senior Managers With Canadian Work Experience for Permanent Residence

Canada has issued invitations to 250 senior managers with Canadian work experience to apply for permanent residence, in the latest Express Entry draw by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 389 to receive an invitation.

The draw targeted candidates in senior management occupations who already have Canadian work experience, making it a direct opening for foreign professionals already working in the country.

How Express Entry Sorting Works

Express Entry is Canada's application management system for several economic immigration programmes. Candidates who enter the pool are ranked using the CRS, a points-based system IRCC uses to score and rank profiles based on factors the Canadian government uses to assess applicants.

In March 2025, Canada removed CRS points previously awarded for job offers. That included the 200 points once available for senior management job offers. The latest targeted draw therefore matters for senior managers who already have Canadian work experience and meet the applicable Express Entry requirements.

An invitation to apply is not a guarantee of permanent residence. Candidates must still submit a complete application and satisfy Canada's immigration requirements before a final decision is made.

What Invited Candidates Must Do

Candidates who received an Invitation to Apply should follow the instructions in their IRCC account and submit the required permanent residence application and supporting documents within the deadline set by immigration authorities. Applicants will still be assessed for eligibility and admissibility.

IRCC says decisions can take into account medical examinations, police certificates and background checks.

For senior managers hoping for future draws, the process starts with determining whether they qualify for one of the immigration programmes managed under Express Entry. They then prepare the required documents and submit an Express Entry profile. Eligible candidates are placed in the pool and ranked under the CRS. Future invitations depend on the type of draw and the criteria set by IRCC.

Working While You Wait

Foreign nationals already in Canada may have an option to keep working while their permanent residence applications are processed. IRCC says eligible Express Entry applicants can apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP).

For Express Entry applicants, key BOWP requirements include being the principal applicant, having submitted a complete permanent residence application that passed the completeness check, and receiving an acknowledgement of receipt. Applicants must also meet the applicable temporary-status requirements.

Simply creating an Express Entry profile is not enough to qualify for a BOWP. Applicants who apply to extend their status before it expires may, where the rules apply, continue working under maintained status while the application is processed. Eligible family members may also qualify for work permits, though IRCC stresses that eligibility depends on their circumstances and the applicable requirements.

For Nigerian professionals already on temporary status in Canada, the draw offers a defined path from temporary residence toward permanent residence, provided they complete the application process and meet Canada's immigration requirements.