As of March 25, 2025, Canada has made a significant change to its Express Entry system by removing the additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points that candidates used to receive for having a valid job offer, including those supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This change is part of the new Ministerial Instructions that aim to reduce fraud and enhance the integrity of Canada’s immigration system.
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What Does This Mean for Express Entry Candidates?
Previously, Express Entry candidates could receive an additional 50 or 200 CRS points for having a valid job offer, which significantly boosted their chances of receiving an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence (PR). However, with this change, candidates who had extra points due to their job offers will see their CRS scores drop by the amount they had been awarded. This shift affects all candidates who had arranged employment under the old rules.
For example, candidates like Andrew and Anita, both eligible for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) pathway to PR, would have seen the following change in their CRS scores:
- Before the change:
- Andrew: 540 (with 50 additional points from a job offer).
- Anita: 500.
- After the change:
- Andrew: 490 (50 points removed).
- Anita: 500.
In an upcoming CEC draw with a CRS cutoff of 495, Anita, with a score of 500, would receive an ITA, while Andrew, now at 490, would not. Therefore, candidates without a job offer may see their chances of receiving an ITA increase as those with job offers see their CRS scores decline.
Who is Affected by This Change?
The CRS score reduction affects all Express Entry candidates who were previously awarded extra points for having a job offer. However, those who have already received an ITA or have ongoing PR applications are not impacted by this change.
The Canadian immigration authority, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), has noted that it may take a few days for candidates’ new scores to reflect the updated changes. If candidates notice discrepancies in their scores after more than a week, they are advised to contact IRCC.
Despite the removal of these extra CRS points, a valid job offer remains crucial for eligibility in several Canadian immigration programs, such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and some Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams.
Temporary Nature of the Change
Although the elimination of additional CRS points for job offers has taken effect, the government has clarified that this is a temporary measure. As of now, there is no official end date for this change, but it is expected to help address issues related to immigration fraud and the illegal practice of purchasing LMIA-based job offers.
How This Affects Physicians
Another significant change in the updated Ministerial Instructions involves the eligibility for physicians’ job offers. The previous regulations allowed certain physician job offers for less than one year to qualify, provided the offer came from a provincial government, healthcare organization, or a similar entity. This section has now been removed, impacting how physicians are evaluated under Express Entry.
Why Was This Change Implemented?
The decision to remove LMIA-based job offer points was announced by former Immigration Minister Marc Miller on December 17, 2024. This policy change aims to discourage the illegal practice of purchasing an LMIA, which has been a growing concern. The federal government has emphasized that this measure will contribute to reducing fraud and strengthening the overall integrity of the immigration system.
The removal of these points aligns with Canada’s broader efforts to combat immigration fraud, which has become an increasing issue in recent months. For instance, IRCC has proposed new regulations, including creating a compensation fund for victims of unethical immigration consultants.
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CRS System Overview
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is a points-based system that ranks candidates in the Express Entry pool based on factors such as:
- Age
- Education
- Work experience
- Language proficiency (English or French)
Additional points can also be earned through:
- French language skills
- Post-secondary education in Canada
- Having a sibling in Canada
- Provincial or territorial nominations
Canada holds regular draws from the Express Entry pool, and the highest-ranking candidates are invited to apply for permanent residency.
What’s Next for Express Entry Candidates?
This change will likely lead to more competition for ITAs, as the removal of job offer points lowers the chances for those with job offers. Candidates without a job offer will see their relative chances increase, but the competition will be fierce. If you are an Express Entry candidate, it’s important to reassess your CRS score and consider other ways to increase your score, such as improving language proficiency or securing a provincial nomination.
This is a developing story, and we’ll continue to update this article as more information becomes available. Stay tuned for more details on how these changes impact Canada’s immigration system.