Big changes are coming to Canada’s Express Entry system. As of March 25, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially eliminated all Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for arranged employment, whether or not the job offer is backed by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
This policy shift has sent ripples through the Express Entry candidate pool, affecting how applicants are ranked—and who gets invited to apply for permanent residence.
What’s Changing?
Until now, Express Entry candidates could receive:
50 CRS points for a valid job offer in most skilled occupations.
200 CRS points for executive-level positions.
Effective immediately, these bonus points are no longer available. IRCC states that this is a temporary measure aimed at reducing misuse of the system and curbing fraudulent LMIA purchases, which have undermined the integrity of the immigration process.
While there is no official date for when the job offer points may return, IRCC has confirmed that:
The change does not impact candidates who already received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) or have submitted their permanent residence application.
CRS scores in candidate profiles may take a few days to reflect the updated rules.
Who Is Affected?
1. Candidates with Valid Job Offers: Your CRS score will drop by 50 or 200 points, depending on the job level. This will significantly reduce your chances of receiving an ITA in upcoming draws.
2. Candidates Without Job Offers: You’ll maintain your current score—but now face less competition, as many candidates will lose their bonus points.
Example: Andrew had a CRS score of 540 due to his LMIA-backed job offer. Anita, without a job offer, had a score of 500. With the new rule, Andrew’s score drops to 490. If the next draw requires 495+, Anita now receives an ITA, while Andrew misses out.
Why Did Canada Make This Change?
This decision is rooted in protecting the fairness of Canada’s immigration system. In recent months, IRCC has cracked down on fraudulent LMIA sales—where job offers are “bought” to artificially boost CRS scores.
Back in December 2024, then-Immigration Minister Marc Miller warned that the government would take action to “eliminate incentives for fake job offers.” This move is a direct response to that promise.
Altec Global’s Expert Advice
This change could dramatically shift your Express Entry chances—and now is the time to rethink your immigration strategy.
If You Were Relying on a Job Offer: Your CRS score may no longer be competitive. Let us reassess your profile and explore alternatives such as Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), category-based draws, or language score improvements.
If You Were Not Relying on a Job Offer: This is your moment! As others drop in the rankings, your profile could rise. We can help you capitalize on the opportunity and refine your application for the next draw.
Not Sure Where You Stand? Book a quick CRS score check with us, and we’ll guide you through your best path forward.
Final Word
The removal of arranged employment points is a bold move to ensure a more transparent and fair immigration system. For many, it’s a wake-up call to review their Express Entry profiles 以及 adapt to a new scoring landscape.
At Altec Global, we’re ready to help you navigate this change with confidence. Whether you need a strategy refresh or want to explore new pathways, our expert consultants are just a message away.
Make your personalized guidance on getting the right strategy for immigrating to Canada.