How the Removal of LMIA-Based Job Offer CRS Points Impacts Express Entry Candidates

Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced a significant change to Canada’s Express Entry system: candidates 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).

Previously, candidates with a valid job offer could gain either 50 or 200 CRS points, giving them a considerable advantage in receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.

What Does This Change Mean for Express Entry Candidates?

The removal of these additional points is expected to shift the dynamics of the Express Entry pool:

• Candidates with LMIA-backed job offers will no longer have the extra CRS points, potentially lowering their scores and reducing their chances of receiving an ITA.
• Conversely, candidates without job offers could see their chances improve as overall CRS scores in the pool may decrease.
  
  

This change will also likely result in lower CRS cut-off scores in future Express Entry draws, but the full details of how the CRS will be recalibrated have not yet been shared by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

What Is "Arranged Employment" in Express Entry?

Before this change, candidates could earn additional CRS points for having arranged employment, provided the job offer met specific requirements under these Express Entry categories:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
  
  

To qualify, a valid job offer needed to meet one of three criteria, two of which required an LMIA. However, IRCC will now phase out CRS points for job offers entirely, although the exact timeline for implementation is unclear.

Impact on Candidates With Valid Job Offers

Candidates with valid LMIA-supported job offers will see their CRS scores drop once the changes take effect. For example:

• Before the change: A candidate with a valid job offer might have a CRS score of 530.
• After the change: Without the additional 50 points, their score would drop to 480, reducing their likelihood of receiving an ITA.
  
  

On the other hand, candidates without job offers will maintain their current scores, giving them a relatively better chance of selection.

Strategies to Boost Your CRS Score

With the removal of LMIA-based job offer points, candidates can focus on other ways to improve their CRS scores:

1. Improve Language Proficiency
• Achieving a higher Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) can significantly boost your CRS score. For example, moving from CLB 6 to CLB 9 could add over 60 points in the human capital factors section.
• French language proficiency can earn up to 50 additional points, even if your primary language is English.
  
  
2. Get Educational Credential Assessments (ECAs)
• Ensure all your foreign degrees have an ECA to maximize points for your education. Additional degrees with ECAs can increase your score further.
  
  
3. Obtain a Provincial Nomination
• A nomination through a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) can add 600 points to your CRS score, virtually guaranteeing an ITA.
  
  
4. Earn a Canadian Degree
• Canadian educational credentials can add up to 30 bonus points on top of core human capital points for education.
  
  
5. Gain Work Experience
• Accumulating more skilled work experience in Canada or abroad can also contribute to a higher CRS score.
  
  

What’s Next for Express Entry Candidates?

While IRCC has not yet announced when this change will come into effect, it is expected to happen soon. Candidates currently in the pool should monitor updates and explore alternative ways to strengthen their profiles.

For personalized guidance on navigating these changes and improving your CRS score, consider consulting an immigration professional or using free assessment tools to evaluate your options.