Canada has introduced new changes to the Express Entry system, effective November 3, 2026. Under the revised rules, the government has introduced a new Labour Market Integration (LMI) factor. This gives additional points for eligible high-wage Canadian work experience and qualifying job offers. Through the Canadian work experience route, candidates can now score up to 150 CRS points in total (140 with a spouse or common-law partner), including existing Canadian work experience points (up to 80 without a spouse and 70 with one) and the new high-wage points (up to 70). Candidates with at least one year of qualifying Canadian work experience in eligible high-wage occupations can receive an additional 20, 40 or 70 points. The points depend on the occupation's median wage, based on the candidate's NOC code across Canada, not their individual salary.
Alternatively, qualifying job offers in designated high-wage occupations can give candidates 50, 70 or 100 points. The maximum under this job offer route is 100 points, regardless of whether the candidate has an accompanying spouse or common-law partner. Candidates who are eligible can receive points either through the Canadian work experience or the qualifying job offer, whichever gives the higher score. Candidates must note that these points cannot be combined. Another important revision is the removal of the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) requirement for qualifying job offers used for CRS points and applicable Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) and Federal Skilled Trades (FST) program eligibility.
Job offers for FSW and FST eligibility are not restricted to the high-wage occupation list. Eligible TEER 0–3 occupations may qualify under the respective program requirements, while CRS job-offer points remain restricted to designated high-wage occupations. Employers and job offers must still satisfy IRCC's genuineness and eligibility requirements.
IRCC has indicated that Express Entry invitation rounds may pause for up to two weeks while it recalculates the scores of profiles already in the pool. The new rules may benefit skilled workers with eligible Canadian work experience or high-wage job offers. However, additional CRS points do not guarantee an ITA.
Applicants should beware of agents promising guaranteed jobs, LMIA approvals or PR in exchange for money. Always verify job offers and employers independently, as no agent can guarantee a Canadian job or PR invitation.
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