Breaking News! IRCC announces the removal of LMIA-based job offer points from the Express Entry system

Highlights: IRCC declared the removal of LMIA-based job offer points from the Express Entry system

• IRCC announced the removal of LMIA based job offer points from the Express Entry System.
• Express Entry candidates will no longer be eligible to receive additional points on the CRS tool for an LMIA-based job offer.
• As stated by Marc Millar, the new changes implementation date are yet to be declared.
• The Canadian government’s online point calculator will award candidates an additional 50 points for having a valid job offer.

 

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What is the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)?

The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is the system the government uses to score Express Entry Candidates. The higher the candidate’s score, the more likely he is to receive an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence through an Express Entry Draw.

 

Once candidates have created a profile in the Express Entry system, they are eligible for one of the three Express Entry-managed immigration programs. The candidate’s profile is assigned a score out of 1200 based on a variety of factors, including:

 

• Age
• Education
• Language proficiency
• Work experience

 

Candidates can score up to a maximum of 600 additional points based on their profile through:

 

• Having a sibling living in Canada as a Canadian citizen or PR
• French language skills
• Post-secondary education in Canada
• Arranged employment
• Provincial/territorial nomination

 

The candidate could receive 50 additional CRS points for arranged employment in any NOC TEER. They could receive 200 extra points for a NOC TEER O occupation in major group 00, which includes executive leadership positions in various industries.

 

To qualify for Express Entry, an applicant must have an occupation in NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3. These TEERS are collectively referred to as skilled occupations.

 

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Changes in the LMIA Based Job offer for  the Temporary Foreign Worker Program

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) is one of the main ways Canadian employers can hire foreign nationals on work permits. Previously, to apply for a TFWP work permit, an applicant must have received an LMIA with a positive result. Currently, in September, the federal government suspended the processing of LMIA.

 

The government also increased the pay requirements for the high wage stream, effective November 2024. The high wage stream now requires workers hired under the TFWP to earn 20% above the median wage for occupations in that region. These changes to the TFWP Play into the government policy change on immigration as set out in the latest Immigration level plan. For 2025, Canada has set the target for new TFWP work permits at 82,000.

 

Marc Miller stated that IRCC is working to reduce fraud and strengthen the integrity of Canada’s immigration system by removing the additional points received under Express Entry for having a job offer.

 

*Are you looking for step-by-step assistance to migrate to Canada? Talk to Y-Axis, the leading overseas immigration consultancy in Australia.

 

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