IRCC to Remove LMIA-Based Job Offer Points from Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System

Candidates applying for Canadian permanent residency through Express Entry will soon no longer benefit from additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for having a job offer backed by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This significant change was announced by Immigration Minister Marc Miller on December 17, 2024, during a televised interview. While the exact date for the implementation of this policy remains unclear, it reflects a move toward reinforcing fairness and integrity in the immigration system.

Previous Policy: LMIA Points Boost

Under the existing system, Express Entry candidates could receive 50 or 200 additional CRS points for having an LMIA-based job offer:

• 50 points for arranged employment in any NOC TEER category.
• 200 points for executive-level roles in NOC TEER 0 occupations (major group 00).

These points often played a decisive role in helping candidates secure an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency. For many, the added points could mean the difference between receiving an ITA or remaining in the Express Entry pool.

As of December 18, the points calculator on the official Government of Canada website (Canada.ca) continues to reflect this policy. However, the announced changes will remove these additional points, marking a pivotal shift in how candidates are ranked.

Understanding the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)

The CRS is a scoring system used to rank candidates in the Express Entry pool. Candidates are assessed on several core human capital factors, including:

• Age
• Education
• Language proficiency (English and/or French)
• Work experience

A candidate’s profile can score up to 600 points from these core factors. Additional points (up to another 600) can be awarded for criteria such as:

• Having a sibling in Canada who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• French language skills
• Canadian post-secondary education
• Provincial or territorial nomination

Until now, arranged employment (via an LMIA) was one of these additional criteria. By removing LMIA-based points, the system aims to level the playing field and reduce incentives for fraudulent activities.

Impacts on Express Entry Candidates

The removal of LMIA-based points is expected to affect candidates across all categories of Express Entry, including those in general draws and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws. In 2024, most draws had CRS cut-off scores above 500 points, making additional points for arranged employment highly valuable.

Candidates should now focus on improving their scores through other means, such as:

• Enhancing language proficiency
• Pursuing additional education in Canada
• Securing a provincial nomination, which provides an automatic 600-point boost

Additionally, candidates can monitor their CRS scores and the distribution of scores in the Express Entry pool to gauge their chances of receiving an ITA.

Connection to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)

The LMIA process plays a significant role in the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), where employers must demonstrate that hiring a foreign worker will not negatively impact the Canadian labor market. Changes to the TFWP in 2024 include:

• Suspension of LMIA processing for the low-wage stream (as of September).
• Increased wage requirements for the high-wage stream, mandating wages 20% above the median for the occupation and region (effective November).

These measures align with the government’s latest Immigration Levels Plan, which includes targets for temporary resident levels. The 2025 target for net new TFWP work permits is set at 82,000.

Rationale for Removing LMIA-Based Points

Minister Miller emphasized that the decision to remove LMIA-based points is aimed at reducing fraud and reinforcing the integrity of Canada’s immigration system. The LMIA process has been susceptible to misuse, with some candidates obtaining fraudulent LMIAs to secure CRS points. “This measure is expected to remove the incentive for candidates to purchase an LMIA, resulting in increased fairness and integrity in Express Entry,” Miller stated.

Key Takeaways

• Policy Change: LMIA-based CRS points for job offers will be removed.
• Focus Areas: Candidates should aim to improve core CRS factors and explore opportunities for provincial nominations.
• Integrity: The change seeks to eliminate LMIA fraud and promote a fairer immigration process.

For the latest updates and tools to calculate your CRS score, visit the official IRCC website at Canada.ca. This change underscores Canada’s commitment to a transparent and equitable immigration system, ensuring the best candidates are selected based on merit and core human capital factors.