For all the candidates in the Express Entry pool, here’s a very important update for you all!! Starting from March 25th, 2025, there will no longer be additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for candidates who possess a valid job offer, even if that job offer is supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Keep reading to learn what changed!
Before this change, Express Entry candidates with arranged employment might gain an additional 50 or 200 CRS points, enhancing their chances of earning an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence. This adjustment now affects the CRS scores of all Express Entry candidates who previously received bonus points for arranged employment. There are no such points now!
Applicants who have been issued an ITA or are already in the process with a pending PR application are not impacted. A press release from the Canadian government, dated December 23, 2024, stated the removal of the extra points is “temporary” but did not provide an indication of when the removal of the extra points will end.
Also Read:- Major Express Entry Changes: What You Need to Know in 2025
Why Was This Change Made?
IRCC hasn’t provided a clear explanation, but eliminating these points could level the Express Entry system. Some analysts think the government is attempting to open up more chances for candidates who don’t have job offers, particularly those outside of Canada. Others believe it’s a means of managing the number of ITAs issued and clearing the PR application backlog.
Whatever the motivation, this adjustment alters the competition in the Express Entry pool.
How Does This Impact Express Entry Applicants?
If you have received an ITA or have a PR application in process, then you may not need to worry – this change will not change anything for you. But if you are still in the Express Entry pool and have job offer points added to your CRS score, you will see that your score dropped, either 50 points or 200 points, depending on what it was before the change.
As for candidates without a job offer, this change may work in your favor. Since most candidates will see their score drop, the overall cut-off numbers in Express Entry draws may drop as well, so there would be a greater chance for candidates without job offers to receive an ITA.
IRCC has revised its CRS webpage and indicated that it may take several days for candidates’ scores to be updated accordingly. If your score is still incorrect after more than a week, IRCC recommends contacting them.
Also Read:- What Is Express Entry Canada? A Simple Guide To Get Started
Effect on High-Demand Professions
Although job offer points are no longer there, applicants in high-demand professions such as healthcare, technology, and engineering might still have the upper hand. Canada has been actively pursuing these professions in category-based draws, so qualified applicants in these professions might still receive ITAs at lower CRS scores.
What About Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)?
If you were counting on a job offer to boost your CRS score, there’s still hope. A lot of Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) value arranged employment, and an offer of employment can enhance your opportunity to receive a provincial nomination. As a provincial nomination is worth 600 CRS points, it is still one of the strongest means of acquiring an ITA.
Therefore, although Express Entry no longer provides job offer points, candidates should still investigate PNP streams where possessing a job offer will become a factor.
What Can Candidates Do Next?
If this modification affects your CRS score, consider these options:
Recalculate Your CRS Score – Use an updated CRS calculator to find out where you are now.
Look at PNPs – Having a job offer may still allow you to receive a nomination with certain provinces.
Increase Your Score Otherwise – You could think about taking the language test again, getting more work experience, or getting another degree.
Stay Informed – IRCC mentioned that this is only temporary, so look for updates in case job offer points are returned.
Final Thoughts
This change is a significant change to Canada’s immigration process, especially for applicants using a job offer to increase their scores. But it also opens the possibility for Express Entry to have a better opportunity for applicants without a job offer, especially in sectors facing labour shortages.
Since IRCC has not officially provided a time frame as to when or if these points will return, candidates are expected to adjust their strategy accordingly. Express Entry is constantly changing, and staying up to date with the latest news and information is the best way to make sure your chances of receiving an ITA are maximized.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Will Express Entry still give points for job offers?
No, as of March 25, 2025, candidates no longer receive CRS points for job offers, even with an LMIA.
2. Does this change impact those who have already received an ITA?
No, if you already have an Invitation to Apply (ITA) or are in the process of applying for PR, your status is not changed.
3. Will the CRS cut-off score decrease after this change?
Likely, as most candidates are losing 50-200 points, the overall CRS cut-off could go down in future draws.
4. Is this a permanent change?
IRCC says it’s temporary, but they haven’t given a date for when or if job offer points will come back.
5. Can a job offer still assist my PR application?
Yes, although Express Entry no longer awards points for job offers, a few Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) still consider them.
