The Canadian government is making significant changes to its Express Entry system, a key pathway for immigrants seeking permanent residency. Soon, candidates will no longer receive additional points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) for having a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)-based job offer.
Previous System Benefits
Before this adjustment, Express Entry candidates could earn an extra 50 or 200 CRS points with an LMIA based job offer. These additional points often made the crucial difference between receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency or not. Immigration Minister Marc Miller revealed this change during a televised interview on December 17.
Implementation Timeline
The exact date for implementing this change remains uncertain. As of December 18, the government’s online points calculator still reflects the existing system, granting 50 points for a valid job offer.
Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)
The CRS is the federal government’s tool for evaluating Express Entry candidates. A higher score increases the likelihood of receiving an ITA through an Express Entry draw. Candidates create profiles in the Express Entry system and, if eligible for one of three managed immigration programs, receive scores out of 1200 based on factors such as age, education, language proficiency, and work experience. Profiles can score up to 600 points from core human capital factors.
Candidates could previously earn up to 600 additional points for factors like having a sibling in Canada, French language skills, Canadian education, arranged employment, and provincial nominations. The new change will eliminate points for arranged employment.
Impact of the Change
Previously, candidates could earn 50 additional CRS points for arranged employment in any National Occupation Classification (NOC) TEER. They could receive 200 points for a NOC TEER 0 occupation, covering executive leadership roles. Throughout 2024, many Express Entry and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws required scores above 500 points.
NOC and Skilled Occupations
Canada’s NOC categorizes occupations by duties and responsibilities, assigning a unique NOC code. Based on education and experience, each NOC code receives a classification between 0 and 5. To qualify for Express Entry, candidates need occupations in NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3, collectively known as “skilled occupations.”
Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) Overview
The TFWP is a primary method for Canadian employers to hire foreign nationals. Employers must obtain a positive or neutral LMIA, confirming that hiring a foreign worker won’t negatively impact the Canadian labor market.
Recent TFWP Changes
Recently, the government suspended LMIA processing for the TFWP’s low-wage stream and increased pay requirements for the high-wage stream. Workers must now earn 20% above the median wage for their occupation, up from the previous requirement. These changes align with the latest Immigration Levels Plan, which includes targets for temporary resident levels.
Rationale Behind the Changes
Minister Miller emphasized that these changes aim to reduce LMIA fraud and enhance the integrity of Canada’s immigration system. Eliminating additional points for job offers is expected to deter candidates from purchasing an LMIA, fostering fairness in the Express Entry process.
By focusing on these critical changes, the Canadian government seeks to strengthen its immigration system and maintain its integrity and fairness.
