Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has shared more details about its plan to eliminate points for job offers in the Express Entry system.
In a recent announcement, IRCC confirmed that this change will take effect in the spring of 2025.
Currently, candidates in the Express Entry pool can earn an additional 50 or 200 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for having a valid job offer. These extra points often play a crucial role in determining whether a candidate receives an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
The department also clarified that removing points for job offers is intended as a “temporary measure.” However, no specific timeline has been provided for this measure’s end.
Who Will Be Affected?
Once the change to remove CRS points for job offers takes effect, it will impact all current and future candidates in the Express Entry pool, including those already working temporarily in Canada.
IRCC’s announcement did not make a distinction between job offers in different sectors, stating that the change will apply to all candidates with a job offer.
However, this change will not affect those who:
- Have already received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence (PR) with points for a job offer under the “arranged employment” criteria.
- Have already submitted a PR application to IRCC that is currently being processed.
*Note: In the Express Entry system, there is a difference between “candidates” and “applicants.” A newcomer is a candidate when they submit a profile to the Express Entry pool. Once they receive an ITA based on their profile, they can apply for PR. After submitting their application to IRCC, they become an applicant.
Official statement
On December 17, Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced that Express Entry candidates applying for Canadian permanent residence would no longer earn extra points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) for holding a job offer supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Currently, candidates in the Express Entry pool can gain an additional 50 or 200 CRS points if they have a valid job offer.
However, Miller did not specify a timeline or provide further details on how the change would be implemented, nor did he clarify which candidates would be affected.
What is the Reason for This Change?
The LMIA process, which is meant to evaluate the necessity of hiring foreign workers when qualified Canadians are unavailable, has been exploited by dishonest individuals.
Offering extra Express Entry points for LMIA-supported job offers unintentionally created an opportunity for fraud, as some people began illegally buying or selling LMIAs to increase their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.
Minister Marc Miller stressed that removing LMIA points would help reduce fraud and promote fairness and transparency in the immigration system.
“Immigration is vital to our country’s economic growth and success,” Miller said. “These changes are part of our commitment to maintaining a fair, responsive, and well-managed immigration system.”
Flagpoling for Work and Study Permits Ends December 23, 2024
In a major change, the Canadian government has announced the termination of “flagpoling” for obtaining or renewing work and study permits.
Starting December 23, 2024, at 11:59 PM ET, individuals will no longer be able to use the method of temporarily leaving and re-entering Canada at ports of entry to access immigration services.
What is the Reason for Its Discontinuation?
The Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) processed more than 69,300 flagpoling requests between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024.
Most of these requests were concentrated in high-traffic areas such as Southern Ontario, Quebec, and the Pacific region.
The government has stated that flagpoling diverted valuable resources from essential border enforcement tasks and caused delays for other travelers crossing the border.
By discontinuing this practice, Canada aims to:
- Streamline border operations
- Strengthen border security
- Enhance the overall efficiency of immigration services
Main Points to Remember
- Starting in spring 2025, Express Entry candidates will no longer receive extra CRS points for job offers supported by an LMIA.
- As of December 23, 2024, flagpoling at Canadian ports of entry for work and study permits will no longer be allowed.
- These changes aim to reduce fraud, simplify the immigration process, and strengthen border security.
- There will be some exceptions to the flagpoling rule, including for U.S. citizens and professionals covered by specific trade agreements.
As Canada continues to update its immigration policies, these changes focus on ensuring transparency, fairness, and security in welcoming newcomers.
