IRCC removed job offer points from Express Entry

IRCC removed job offer points from express entry 

In a significant policy shift, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that starting March 25, 2025, additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points previously awarded for valid job offers will no longer count toward the Express Entry system.

Previously, Express Entry candidates can receive an additional 50 or 200 CRS points for having a valid job offer, depending on the position’s classification.

200 points for occupations in the TEER 0

50 points for other TEER occupations

These points have often been pivotal in securing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency. However, starting March 25th, 2025, these additional points will be eliminated for all new and existing candidates in the Express Entry pool, including those currently working in Canada on temporary permits.

Rationale Behind the Decision

The IRCC has indicated that this temporary measure is designed to discourage fraudulent activities, particularly the illegal buying and selling of Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs), which some candidates have used to artificially boost their CRS scores.

Implications for Express Entry Candidates

This policy change underscores the importance for candidates to focus on strengthening other core human capital factors within their CRS scores, such as education, language proficiency, and work experience. Additionally, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) and category-based draws may become more significant pathways for candidates seeking permanent residency. ​

What’s not changing

If having a valid job offer is part of any program eligibility criteria, the job offer will still be a requirement. This includes:

You should still include the details of any job offers in your Express Entry profile so you stay eligible for these programs.

Who Benefits?

✅ Candidates Without Job Offers:

  • Previously, applicants without a job offer often struggled to compete with those who had one, especially if their CRS scores were close to the cutoff.
  • With job offer points removed, Express Entry will rely more on core human capital factors (age, education, language skills, and work experience), creating a more level playing field.

✅ Candidates with Strong Human Capital Factors:

  • Those with high language proficiency, education, and Canadian work experience may now have a better chance of getting an ITA without needing a job offer.

✅ Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Candidates:

  • Provinces may issue more nominations to fill labor shortages, making PNPs an even more attractive option.

Who Might Be Negatively Affected?

❌ Candidates Who Relied on Job Offer Points:

  • If someone’s CRS score was significantly boosted by 50 or 200 points from a job offer, they might now struggle to meet the cutoff without it.
  • Temporary foreign workers in Canada who relied on LMIA-based offers for extra points could now need alternative strategies.

❌ Employers Using Express Entry to Hire Talent:

  • Canadian employers who relied on Express Entry to bring in foreign workers with valid job offers may find it harder to secure workers through this pathway.

Overall Impact

  • If you’re a high-scoring candidate without a job offer, this is good news.
  • If your CRS score was highly dependent on job offer points, you might need to explore other pathways like PNPs or improving your CRS score through education or language tests.

Conclusion

IRCC removed job offer points from Express Entry, marking a significant change in Canada’s immigration framework. Applicants are encouraged to modify their plans and remain updated on the latest announcements from IRCC as the implementation date nears.​