LMIA Job Offer Points Removed from Express Entry

 As of March 25, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially removed Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for job offers supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) under the Express Entry system.

What Changed?

• The 200 points awarded for senior management jobs (NOC Group 00) have been removed.
• The 50 points for skilled job offer under TEER categories 0, 1, 2, and 3 are also no longer available.

Why This Decision Was Made

This change follows a December 2024 announcement by Immigration Minister Marc Miller, aiming to address fraud and protect the integrity of the system. By eliminating the advantage of buying LMIA-backed offers, the policy ensures candidates are assessed based on real skills and credentials.

Impact on Express Entry Applicants

1. Job Offers No Longer Increase CRS Scores:
   Candidates must now rely on age, education, language skills, and experience to boost their profiles.
2. More Difficult to Reach Cut-Off Scores:
   Without extra points, it may be harder to qualify in general draws.
3. Provincial Nominee Programs Are Now Crucial:
   With 600 CRS points available, PNPs become a major route to permanent residence.
4. System Integrity Strengthened:
   Removing LMIA incentives helps prevent system abuse and protects applicants from scams.

Impact on Canadian Employers

1. Reduced Value in LMIA Hiring:
   LMIA-based hiring may lose appeal among international candidates.
2. Stricter Oversight by IRCC:
   Employers need to provide thorough documentation and legitimate job offers.
3. Shift to Other Immigration Pathways:
   Employers may consider the Temporary Foreign Worker Program or support applicants through PNPs.
4. Enhanced Employer Branding Needed:
   To remain competitive globally, companies must offer clear career growth and attractive benefits.

Changes in the CRS Landscape

• Core Factors Now Have More Weight:
  Language tests, education, and experience matter more than ever.
• PNPs Gain Dominance:
  Provincial nominations are now the only significant CRS boost.
• Tighter Cut-Offs Likely:
  The removal of artificial points could increase competitiveness.
• More Category-Based Selections:
  IRCC may continue prioritizing candidates based on job sectors rather than job offers.
• Fraud Prevention Enhanced:
  This change is expected to improve the credibility of the Express Entry system.

Recommendations for Candidates

• Review your CRS score post-March 25.
• Don’t worry if your score drops—it may take time for updates.
• Focus on language, credential evaluation, and Canadian experience.
• Explore PNPs aligned with your occupation.
• Consider Global Talent Stream for short-term work authorization.