Changes to Express Entry CRS Points: Job Offers No Longer Grant Extra Points
Effective March 25, 2025, candidates in the Express Entry pool will no longer receive additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for holding a valid job offer, including those supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Previously, candidates could earn an extra 50 or 200 points for arranged employment, which significantly improved their chances of receiving an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence (PR). However, this adjustment now affects the CRS scores of all candidates who previously benefitted from these additional points.
It’s important to note that candidates who have already received ITAs or have PR applications underway will not be impacted by this change.
Temporary Measure to Address Job Offer Points
In a December 23, 2024 press release, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) clarified that the removal of bonus points for job offers is a temporary measure, though the end date remains unspecified. Despite eliminating the points section, the Ministerial Instructions still retain the guidelines for what qualifies as an arranged job offer.
Candidates are advised by IRCC that it may take a few days for their updated scores to reflect this change and are asked not to reach out unless their score remains inaccurate for more than a week.
While this change eliminates CRS points for valid job offers, a legitimate job offer still remains relevant for eligibility in certain programs, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and select Provincial Nominee Program streams.
How Will the Change Affect Express Entry Candidates?
With the removal of job offer points, candidates who held valid job offers will see their CRS scores drop by either 50 or 200 points, depending on the circumstances. This reduces their likelihood of receiving an ITA for permanent residence.
Conversely, candidates without a job offer may see an increase in their chances of getting an ITA. Since other candidates’ scores will be reduced, those without job offers may have a better standing, even if their scores remain the same.
Example Scenario
Consider two candidates, Andrew and Anita, both eligible under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) pathway. Before the change, their CRS scores were:
- Andrew: 540 (with 50 extra points from a job offer)
- Anita: 500
The advantage Andrew had over Anita was significant. After the policy change, Andrew lost his additional 50 points. Their updated scores are now:
- Andrew: 490
- Anita: 500
In a future CEC draw, if the CRS cutoff is 495, Anita would receive an ITA, while Andrew would not.
Update to Physician Employment Criteria
The new Ministerial Instructions also modified how employment for physicians is classified as qualifying arranged employment. Previously, offers for less than one year from provincial governments, agencies, or healthcare organizations were acceptable. This section has now been removed.
How Canada’s CRS System Operates
The CRS is a points-based system that ranks candidates in the Express Entry pool, with scores calculated based on various factors, such as:
- Age
- Education
- Language proficiency
- Work experience
Additional points can be awarded for factors like French language skills, Canadian post-secondary education, having a sibling in Canada, or a provincial nomination. High-ranking candidates in the pool are invited to apply for PR during regular draws.
Why Canada Removed Job Offer Points
The decision to eliminate extra CRS points for job offers was first announced by former Immigration Minister Marc Miller on December 17, 2024. Miller explained that the change would prevent candidates from “purchasing” an LMIA, a practice that is illegal in Canada.
The federal government has stated that this policy shift will reduce fraud and strengthen the integrity of Canada’s immigration system. In recent months, IRCC has been actively working to combat immigration fraud, including proposing new regulations such as creating a compensation fund for victims of unethical immigration consultants.
