Canada Terminates CRS Points For Job Offers In Express Entry: What You Should Know

Canada’s Express Entry system helps skilled workers move to Canada and become permanent residents. It uses a points system called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). You get points for things like your age, education, work experience, and language skills. For a long time, having a job offer, especially one approved through a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), gave people 50 to 200 extra points. This made it much easier for them to get picked.

But there’s been a big change. Since March 25, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) no longer gives extra points for job offers in the Express Entry system. This new rule affects people who used to count on a job offer to boost their CRS score and improve their chances of being selected.

This article explains what the termination of a job offer means for both current and future Express Entry candidates.

What Changed in the Express Entry System

Before the new rule, people with a valid job offer from a Canadian employer could get 50 to 200 extra CRS points, depending on the job. For example, managers or top executives usually got 200 points, while most other jobs gave 50 points. These extra points made a big difference and often helped applicants get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.

This rule has now changed. Since March 25, 2025, the Government of Canada no longer gives CRS points for job offers. This applies to all job offers, even those with a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or those allowed under international deals or company transfers.

This change affects all Express Entry applicants who didn’t get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) before the new rule started. People who used job offers to boost their CRS scores will now have to compete without that extra help.

But if you got an Invitation to Apply (ITA) before March 25, 2025, or already sent in your permanent residence application based on your old CRS score, the new rule won’t affect you. Your application will still be handled using the rules that were in place when you were invited.

Why Canada Made This Change

The government removed CRS points for job offers because of rising concerns about fake job offer documents, especially false Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs). In recent years, officials found more cases where people were buying and selling LMIA-backed job offers without permission. This made the Express Entry system less fair and less trustworthy.

In December 2024, Immigration Minister Marc Miller spoke about the problem. He said it was important to protect the fairness of Canada’s immigration programs and stop people from abusing the job offer system. He called the misuse of LMIAs a serious threat to public trust and a barrier to choosing honest applicants based on clear and fair rules.

By removing CRS points for job offers, the government wants to stop people from using fake job offers to cheat the system. This change is part of a bigger plan to make the process more fair, hold people accountable, and keep public trust in Canada’s immigration system.

How This Affects Express Entry Candidates

The removal of CRS points for arranged employment significantly alters the dynamics of Express Entry rankings.

Loss of CRS Advantage

People who used job offers to raise their CRS scores will no longer have that advantage. Without the 50–200 extra points, applicants now have to compete based on other key factors like age, education, work experience, and language skills. This change may lower the scores of many candidates who depended on job offers to get an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Improved Chances for Other Applicants

This change also opens up new chances. People without job offers, who were at a disadvantage before, may now have a better shot at ranking higher in the Express Entry pool. With fewer points given for job offers, the competition is more fair, and more ITAs may go to candidates based only on their skills, education, work experience, and language ability.

No Change to Eligibility Criteria

It’s important to know that even though job offers no longer give CRS points, some immigration programs still need a job offer to apply. These include the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and many Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). These rules have not changed and still apply.

Programs Still Requiring Job Offers

Even though Canada no longer gives CRS points for job offers, some immigration programs still require one. To apply through these programs, you still need to get a valid job offer.

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is for skilled workers who meet basic requirements in education, work experience, and language skills. Many people qualify without a job offer, but those who don’t get enough points from these core factors may need a valid job offer to be eligible.

Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is for people with experience in skilled trades. Most applicants need a full-time job offer that lasts at least one year, unless they have a certificate of qualification from a Canadian province or territory. Even though job offers no longer give CRS points, this rule still applies.

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

Many Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams still require a valid job offer from an employer in the province or territory. These programs aim to fill local job needs and often choose people who already have connections to local employers. Even though job offers no longer add CRS points, they are still very important for getting a nomination in many PNP streams.

Tips for Applicants Moving Forward

This new rule shows why it’s important to adjust your immigration plan. Even though job offers no longer raise your CRS score, you can still take steps to improve your chances through Express Entry or look into other options.

Monitor Official Updates Regularly

Keep yourself updated by visiting the official website of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). They regularly post news about rule changes, program updates, and draw results. You can also sign up for IRCC news alerts to get updates that might affect your application.

Strengthen Other CRS Factors

Now that job offer points are gone, it’s important to improve other parts of your CRS score. Work on getting better English or French test results, earning higher education credentials, and gaining more work experience. You can also take a language test like IELTS or TEF and get an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to increase your points.

Explore Alternative Immigration Pathways

If a job offer no longer helps your Express Entry score, think about other immigration options. These could include Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), family sponsorship, or getting a study permit in Canada that could lead to permanent residence later. Look into each program’s rules to find the one that best matches your skills and goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this affect applicants who have already received an Invitation to Apply (ITA)?

No. Candidates who received an ITA before March 25, 2025, or who have already submitted their permanent residence applications will not be affected by this policy change.

Why did Canada remove job offer points from the CRS?

The change aims to protect the integrity of the immigration system. It follows concerns about fraudulent use of job offers and the buying of LMIAs.

 Can I still use a job offer to qualify for Express Entry?

Yes. While job offers no longer contribute CRS points, they are still required for eligibility under specific programs, such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and many Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).

Will IRCC reinstate job offer points in the future?

As of now, the removal of CRS points for job offers is described as a “temporary standard.” However, IRCC has not provided a specific timeline or details about potential reinstatement.

Are doctors still eligible under special job offer rules?

No. The special provisions that allowed doctors to claim CRS points for short-term job offers have also been removed.

Conclusion

It’s important to remember that job offers are still required for some immigration programs, like the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and many Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). Even though job offers no longer add CRS points, you still need them for these programs. So, applicants should update their plans and work on other CRS areas, like language skills, education, and work experience.