As of March 25, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced the removal of additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for candidates with arranged employment under the Express Entry system. This change means that Express Entry candidates will no longer receive extra CRS points for having a valid job offer, including those supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Impact on Express Entry Candidates
Previously, candidates with valid job offers could receive an additional 50 to 200 CRS points, depending on the position’s skill level. With the removal of these bonus points, candidates relying on arranged employment to boost their CRS scores may find it more challenging to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.
For example, a candidate who previously had a CRS score of 540, including 50 points for a job offer, would now have a score of 490, potentially affecting their competitiveness in the Express Entry pool.
About the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)
The CRS is a points-based system used by IRCC to assess and rank candidates in the Express Entry pool. It evaluates factors such as age, education, language proficiency, work experience, and other criteria to determine eligibility for an ITA. Candidates are ranked based on their CRS scores, and those with the highest scores receive ITAs during regular draws.
Reasons for Removing LMIA-Based Job Offer CRS Points
The decision to eliminate additional CRS points for arranged employment is part of IRCC’s efforts to strengthen the integrity of Canada’s immigration system and reduce potential fraud associated with LMIA-based job offers. By removing these points, the government aims to ensure that the Express Entry system remains fair and selects candidates most likely to succeed economically in Canada.
This policy change underscores the importance for Express Entry candidates to focus on enhancing other aspects of their profiles, such as improving language skills, gaining additional education or work experience, and exploring provincial nomination programs to increase their CRS scores and improve their chances of receiving an ITA.
