Starting in spring 2025, candidates applying for Canadian permanent residency through Express Entry will no longer receive additional points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) for having a job offer supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Current Policy and Upcoming Change
Currently, candidates can gain an extra 50 or 200 CRS points for LMIA-based job offers. These points often make the critical difference in receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
The change, announced by Immigration Minister Marc Miller on December 17, aims to remove this advantage to enhance fairness and reduce the potential for LMIA fraud in the immigration system.
Understanding the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)
The CRS is a points-based system used to rank candidates in the Express Entry pool. Profiles are scored out of 1200 points, with scores influenced by factors such as:
- Age
- Education
- Language proficiency
- Work experience
Candidates can earn a maximum of 600 points for these core factors, with additional points available for:
- Having a sibling in Canada who is a citizen or permanent resident
- French language skills
- Canadian post-secondary education
- Provincial/territorial nomination
- Arranged employment (until the upcoming change)
For example, candidates currently receive 50 points for arranged employment in NOC TEER categories and 200 points for executive-level roles in TEER 0 major group 00.
Implications of the Change
When the new policy takes effect, arranged employment points will no longer be awarded, regardless of NOC classification. This change follows a broader effort to ensure the integrity of the Express Entry system by reducing fraudulent practices related to LMIA procurement.
Express Entry and NOC TEER
Canada uses the National Occupation Classification (NOC) to categorize jobs, assigning each role a TEER (Training, Education, Experience, Responsibilities) level.
- To qualify for Express Entry, candidates must work in skilled occupations classified as TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.
Candidates can gauge their ITA likelihood by comparing their CRS scores with the distribution of scores in the Express Entry pool.
Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) Updates
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) is another pathway for employers to hire foreign nationals using LMIA-supported work permits. Recent updates to the TFWP include:
- Suspension of LMIA processing for low-wage roles (September 2023).
- Increased pay requirements for high-wage roles as of November 2023—workers must earn 20% above the median wage for their occupation in the hiring region.
Additionally, the 2025 Immigration Levels Plan set a target of 82,000 net new TFWP work permits.
Rationale for Policy Changes
Minister Miller emphasized that these changes aim to enhance the fairness and integrity of Canada’s immigration system. By removing CRS points for LMIA-based job offers, the government seeks to discourage fraudulent practices and create a level playing field for all candidates.
For more insights and expert advice on how these changes may affect your Express Entry application, Skynet Immigration is here to help. Contact us today for a free assessment and personalized guidance!
