Canada has officially removed bonus Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for arranged employment from its Express Entry Program, effective March 25, 2025.
This significant policy shift, implemented by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), eliminates the previously awarded 50 or 200 points for candidates with valid job offers, including those supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Key Details of the Change in Express Entry Program
- Effective Date: March 25, 2025
- What Changed: Elimination of bonus CRS points for arranged employment.
- Previous Points Structure: Candidates could earn:
- 200 points for senior management positions (NOC TEER 0)
- 50 points for other skilled occupations.
This update means that candidates with job offers will decrease their CRS scores, diminishing their chances of receiving Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency.
Conversely, individuals without job offers may improve their prospects as competition in the Express Entry pool becomes less skewed toward those with arranged employment.
Reasons Behind the Policy Shift
The IRCC’s decision to remove these bonus points is primarily aimed at combating fraud associated with the buying and selling of LMIA-supported job offers.
This practice has been detrimental to the integrity of the immigration system, prompting a need for reform. The change aligns with previous adjustments made in December 2024, when similar eligibility criteria were modified for International Experience Canada (IEC) work permit holders.
Implications for Candidates
The immediate impact of this policy change is significant:
- Current Candidates: Those already in the Express Entry pool will see their scores updated to reflect this change. Candidates who have received ITAs or submitted their permanent residency applications before March 25, 2025, will not be affected and will continue to be processed under the previous rules.
- Future Applicants: New candidates entering the Express Entry system will need to rely more heavily on other factors, such as language proficiency, education, and work experience, to enhance their CRS scores.
Adapting to the New Landscape
To remain competitive in light of this policy change, candidates can focus on several strategies:
- Enhance Language Skills: Improving language proficiency can yield significant CRS score increases.
- Pursue Further Education: Higher educational qualifications can also boost scores.
- Gain Canadian Work Experience: This is highly valued and can substantially improve a candidate’s ranking.
- Explore Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): These programs can offer alternative pathways to permanent residency without relying on job offer points.
- Stay Informed: Regularly check updates from IRCC and consider consulting immigration experts for personalized guidance.
Removing bonus CRS points for arranged employment marks a pivotal moment in Canada’s immigration landscape.
While it poses challenges for many hopeful immigrants who previously relied on job offers to enhance their scores, it also opens up new opportunities for those without such offers.
As candidates adapt to this new reality, focusing on core attributes will be crucial in navigating the evolving Express Entry system effectively.
