Canada to Remove LMIA-Based Job Offer Points from Express Entry CRS: Detailed Overview
Canada’s immigration system is undergoing another shift, as the government has decided to remove the additional points for LMIA-based job offers in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) for Express Entry candidates. This significant policy change was announced on December 17, 2024, by Immigration Minister Marc Miller, in a bid to strengthen the integrity of the immigration process, reduce fraud, and make the system fairer for all candidates.
This article provides an in-depth analysis of what the change means for Express Entry candidates and how it affects Canada’s immigration policies.
Table of Contents
- Introduction: The Importance of LMIA-Based Points in Express Entry
- How the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Works
- Changes Announced: Removal of LMIA-Based Points
- Impact on Express Entry Candidates
- Understanding the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
- Rationale Behind the Policy Change
- The Potential Consequences for Applicants
- What Candidates Can Do to Improve Their CRS Scores
- Looking Ahead: Future of the Express Entry System
- Conclusion
1. Introduction: The Importance of LMIA-Based Points in Express Entry
For many years, candidates applying through Canada’s Express Entry system could gain an additional boost to their CRS score if they had a valid Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) job offer. This meant that candidates who had secured a job offer from a Canadian employer, with an LMIA confirming that the employer could not fill the position with a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, would be rewarded with extra points.
These additional points were critical in helping candidates meet the threshold to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. For some candidates, especially those on the edge of the CRS score cutoff, these additional points made the difference between success and exclusion from the invitation pool.
However, in a move aimed at reforming Canada’s immigration system and improving fairness, the government has decided to eliminate these points from the CRS starting in 2025.
2. How the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Works
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is the key method used by the Canadian government to rank candidates in the Express Entry pool. The CRS is designed to assess candidates’ eligibility for one of Canada’s three primary Express Entry-managed immigration programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Each candidate is assigned a score out of a possible 1200 points based on multiple factors that demonstrate their ability to contribute to Canada’s economy and society. These factors include:
- Core Human Capital Factors (Max: 600 points)
These factors assess the candidate’s skills, education, work experience, and language proficiency (in English or French). Candidates are awarded points based on their age, education, work experience, and language abilities. - Additional Points (Max: 600 points)
These points can be gained from various factors, including:- Having a sibling in Canada (50 points)
- French language proficiency (up to 50 points)
- Post-secondary education in Canada (up to 30 points)
- Provincial nomination (600 points)
- Arranged employment (LMIA-based job offers)
Candidates with the highest CRS scores are invited to apply for permanent residency through the periodic Express Entry draws.
3. Changes Announced: Removal of LMIA-Based Points
As of the announcement by Minister Marc Miller, the Canadian government has decided to remove the additional points granted for LMIA-supported job offers from the CRS. Previously, candidates could receive the following points for arranged employment:
- 50 additional CRS points for a job offer in any National Occupation Classification (NOC) TEER category.
- 200 additional CRS points for a job offer in NOC TEER 0 occupations, which include executive leadership roles in major industries.
This change will mean that candidates will no longer be able to rely on securing an LMIA-supported job offer to give them a significant boost in the Express Entry system. The exact implementation date of the change has not been specified, but the government’s online points calculator still reflects the LMIA-based job offer points as of mid-December 2024.
4. Impact on Express Entry Candidates
The removal of LMIA-based points will have a notable impact on Express Entry candidates, especially those who are relying on these additional points to increase their chances of receiving an ITA. For some candidates, the 50 points for an LMIA-based offer can make the difference between receiving an invitation or not, particularly if their CRS score is close to the cutoff in recent Express Entry draws.
The removal of these points could make the Express Entry system more competitive, as candidates will now have to rely on their qualifications, work experience, and language proficiency to secure an invitation. It may also encourage candidates to look into other ways of boosting their CRS score, such as improving their language skills, obtaining Canadian education credentials, or pursuing provincial nominations.
On the positive side, the change could reduce the reliance on LMIA-based job offers and could make the Express Entry process more equitable for applicants without job offers.
5. Understanding the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
The LMIA-based job offer points in the CRS are tied to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), which allows Canadian employers to hire foreign workers on a temporary basis. For foreign workers to be eligible under the TFWP, employers must obtain a positive or neutral LMIA from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).
The TFWP requires employers to demonstrate that hiring a foreign worker will not negatively impact the Canadian labor market. In September 2024, the government suspended the processing of LMIAs for the low-wage stream of the TFWP and increased the wage requirements for the high-wage stream.
The suspension and changes to the TFWP are aligned with the government’s broader goal of reducing the potential for exploitation and ensuring that Canadian workers are prioritized for employment.
6. Rationale Behind the Policy Change
The key reason for removing LMIA-based points from the CRS is to combat fraud and enhance integrity within Canada’s immigration system. Minister Miller stated that by eliminating the incentive for candidates to purchase fraudulent LMIAs, the Canadian government is reinforcing fairness in the immigration process. This move is expected to reduce the number of candidates who may attempt to circumvent the system by acquiring invalid or purchased LMIAs.
The government’s ultimate goal is to build a more transparent and robust immigration system that rewards genuine qualifications, skills, and work experience, rather than financial connections.
7. The Potential Consequences for Applicants
The removal of LMIA-based job offer points may have both positive and negative consequences for applicants:
- Negative Impact on Some Candidates: Applicants who were relying on these additional points to boost their CRS score might find it more difficult to secure an ITA. Candidates in fields that traditionally require LMIA job offers, like construction or hospitality, could face greater competition without the extra points.
- Increased Fairness: For candidates without job offers, the playing field will be more level, as LMIA-backed job offers will no longer automatically provide a scoring advantage. This change could encourage candidates to improve their skills, education, and language proficiency to compete on merit.
- Encouragement to Pursue Other Pathways: Applicants might be motivated to seek out provincial nominations or other routes to increase their CRS scores, such as obtaining higher language scores or acquiring additional qualifications.
8. What Candidates Can Do to Improve Their CRS Scores
With the removal of LMIA-based points, candidates must focus on other areas to enhance their CRS score. Here are a few strategies:
- Improve Language Skills: Increasing scores in English or French proficiency through higher test results (IELTS or TEF Canada) can significantly improve CRS scores.
- Pursue Canadian Education: Completing a post-secondary program in Canada can add points, especially for international graduates.
- Seek Provincial Nominations: A nomination from a province can provide 600 points, which can guarantee an ITA in the next draw.
- Gain More Work Experience: More work experience, especially in skilled occupations, will lead to more CRS points.
9. Looking Ahead: Future of the Express Entry System
The removal of LMIA-based points is part of ongoing efforts by the Canadian government to reform its immigration system. These changes are designed to ensure fairness and reduce reliance on job offers that may not reflect a candidate’s true qualifications or potential contributions to Canada.
As more details emerge regarding the exact implementation timeline and further reforms, candidates should stay updated and adjust their application strategies accordingly.
10. Conclusion
Canada’s decision to remove LMIA-based job offer points from the CRS is a pivotal moment in the evolution of the Express Entry system. While the change may create some challenges for certain candidates, it also strengthens the integrity of the immigration process by prioritizing genuine qualifications over external factors like job offers.
Candidates are encouraged to focus on enhancing their skills, education, and language proficiency to stay competitive in this new landscape. The future of Canadian immigration looks set to reward merit-based candidates who can contribute to Canada’s thriving economy and diverse communities.
For a free consultation about your work permit and student permit options, reach out to the CAD IMMIGRATION today!
