Canada's Express Entry System Overhauls Job Offer Points: What You Need to Know

Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially removed the bonus Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for job offers in the Express Entry program, effective March 25, 2025. This significant change is set to reshape the immigration landscape for many aspiring permanent residents.

Key Takeaways

Bonus CRS points for job offers have been eliminated.
Candidates previously receiving points for job offers will see their scores recalibrated.
The change aims to reduce fraud and level the playing field for all applicants.
Job offers remain important for eligibility in certain immigration streams.

Overview of the Changes

The recent policy update means that candidates in the Express Entry pool will no longer receive additional points for having a valid job offer, which previously could add up to 200 points for senior management positions and 50 points for other skilled jobs. This change affects both current candidates and future applicants, significantly impacting their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.

Implications for Current Candidates

Score Recalibration: Candidates who were relying on job offer points will see their CRS scores decrease. For example, a candidate who previously had a score of 540 with a job offer may drop to 490 without those points.
Increased Competition: As job offer points are removed, candidates without job offers may find their chances of receiving an ITA increase, as the overall pool of candidates will have lower scores.

Reasons Behind the Change

The IRCC has not provided a detailed explanation for this policy shift, but several factors are believed to be at play:

Fraud Prevention: The government aims to reduce the incentive for candidates to purchase Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs), a practice that has raised concerns about integrity in the immigration system.
Leveling the Playing Field: By removing job offer points, the IRCC may be prioritizing candidates based on education, language skills, and work experience rather than employer connections.
Economic Considerations: As Canada’s labor market evolves, the government may be adjusting its immigration policies to better align with current economic needs.

What Remains Unchanged?

Despite the removal of bonus points, job offers still play a crucial role in several immigration programs:

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): A valid job offer can help meet minimum eligibility criteria.
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): Job offers remain a requirement for eligibility.
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Some streams continue to require or benefit from job offers, although they will no longer provide additional CRS points.

Next Steps for Candidates

Candidates looking to improve their CRS scores can still take several actions:

Enhance Language Proficiency: Higher scores in language tests can add valuable points.
Pursue Further Education: Additional qualifications can increase the education score.
Gain Canadian Work Experience: This can contribute up to 200 points.
Consider Provincial Nominee Programs: A provincial nomination can provide a significant boost of 600 points.
Utilize a Spouse’s Profile: A partner’s qualifications can add up to 40 points.

As of now, the immigration process has become more competitive, and candidates will need to adapt to the new system by focusing on other ways to enhance their profiles. The long-term effects of this policy change remain to be seen, but it is clear that the landscape for aspiring immigrants to Canada is shifting dramatically.

Sources

Canada removes bonus ranking points for job offers in Express Entry system, Nairametrics.
Canada Express Entry Program: Canada’s Express Entry program for permanent residence will not award points for job-offers from March 25, Times of India.
Canada removes bonus CRS points for arranged employment from Express Entry, CIC News.