Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced significant updates to the Express Entry system, confirming plans to eliminate Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for valid job offers starting in spring 2025.
Current Express Entry System and Job Offer Points
At present, candidates in the Express Entry pool with a valid job offer can earn an additional 50 or 200 CRS points, depending on the role. These extra points can be a deciding factor in whether a candidate receives an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
The IRCC has clarified that removing these points will be a temporary measure, but no specific end date has been announced.
Impact of the Change
Once the new policy is implemented, all candidates in the Express Entry pool—whether new entrants or those already working in Canada on a temporary basis—will no longer receive CRS points for a valid job offer.
Importantly, the change will apply uniformly to all sectors of the economy, as stated by IRCC: “It will apply to all candidates with job offers.”
Who Will Not Be Affected?
This change will not impact individuals who:
- Have already been invited to apply for permanent residence based on a CRS score that included points for a valid job offer (under the “arranged employment” criteria); or
- Have submitted a permanent residence application to IRCC that is currently under review.
It’s essential to understand the distinction between “candidates” and “applicants” in the Express Entry system. A candidate is someone who has submitted a profile for consideration. Upon receiving an ITA, they become an applicant when applying for permanent residence.
The Initial Announcement
The decision to remove job offer points was first announced on December 17 by Immigration Minister Marc Miller. While the initial announcement confirmed the upcoming change, it lacked details regarding implementation or its impact on various groups.
Overview of the Express Entry System
The Express Entry system currently awards additional CRS points for arranged employment, benefiting candidates applying under:
- The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP);
- The Canadian Experience Class (CEC); or
- The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).
Candidates’ profiles are scored out of 1200 points, based on factors such as:
- Age;
- Education;
- Language proficiency; and
- Work experience.
Additional points can also be earned through:
- Having a sibling who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
- French language proficiency;
- Canadian post-secondary education;
- Provincial or territorial nominations; and
- Arranged employment.
However, starting in spring 2025, points for arranged employment will no longer be awarded, regardless of the candidate’s job offer status.
