December 2024: The Canadian government is set to eliminate additional points granted to immigration applicants with job offers supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced this decision, aimed at reducing fraud and ensuring fairness in the immigration system.
Currently, applicants using the Express Entry platform can boost their scores by 50 to 200 points with an LMIA-backed job offer, increasing their chances of permanent residency. However, reports have emerged of some individuals selling LMIAs for prices as high as $70,000, creating loopholes in the system.
Express Entry, Canada’s platform for managing skilled worker applications, scores applicants on factors like education, work experience, and language skills. A higher score leads to better chances of securing permanent residency. This change will remove the incentive for purchasing LMIAs and help maintain the program’s integrity.
In 2024, over 71,300 LMIA applications were approved during the first quarter, primarily for roles in farming, food services, and trucking. This was a notable increase from the 63,300 approvals in the same period last year.
The decision comes as Canada faces challenges like rising unemployment, a housing shortage, and slower population growth. While the government has not announced an implementation date, stricter inspections and policy adjustments are part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the immigration system.
