IRCC to remove CRS points for job offers from Express Entry in spring of 2025

More information about Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) intentions to remove points from a job offer under the country’s Express Entry system has been released.

The agency recently declared in a press statement that this adjustment would be implemented in the spring of 2025.

Presently, applicants for Express Entry who have received valid job offers are eligible to earn an extra 50 or 200 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points. These extra considerations can easily determine whether an applicant receives an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residency or not.

The immigration administration further explained that the removal of extra points for having an actual job offer is a “temporary measure,” but it has not yet specified when it will end.

Who is impacted?

All new and current applicants* in the Express Entry pool, including those who are currently “working in Canada temporarily,” will be affected once the elimination of Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for a job offer is implemented.

Instead of making a distinction between employment offers from various economic sectors, the IRCC stated in its news release that “it will apply to all candidates with job offers once the change comes into effect.”

The change will not impact newcomers who

·       Have a CRS score that still contains points for a work offer (under the “arranged employment” condition) and have already been invited to apply for permanent residency (PR); or

·       Have already filed a (PR) application with the IRCC, which is presently being processed.

*In the Express Entry system, take note of the difference between “candidates” and “applicants.” A candidate is someone who has submitted a candidate profile for consideration when they join the Express Entry pool. The newcomer can apply for PR with the IRCC after receiving an ITA based on the data in their candidate profile. They are now considered applicants after submitting their application to the IRCC.

Original announcement

Immigration Minister Marc Miller first declared on December 17 that Express Entry applicants for permanent residence in Canada would no longer be awarded extra points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) for receiving a job offer based on LMIA.

Currently, holding an official job offer will earn Express Entry candidates an extra 50 or 200 CRS points.

He did not specify a date or other information at the time about the implementation of this adjustment or which candidates might be affected.

About Express Entry

Canada’s Express Entry system awards additional points for having arranged employment.

This applies to anyone applying under

·       The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP);

·       The Canadian Experience Class (CEC); or

·       The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).

Once a candidate has created a profile in the Express Entry system, and is eligible for one of the three programs mentioned above, their profile is assigned a score out of 1200 based on a variety of factors, including their

·       Age;

·       Education;

·       Language proficiency; and

·       Work experience.

Candidates can also score up to 600 additional points on their profiles through

·       Having a sibling living in Canada as a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;

·       French language skills;

·       Post-secondary education in Canada;

·       Arranged employment; and

·       Provincial/territorial nomination.

Once the change takes effect in spring 2025, candidates in the pool with valid job offers will not be awarded points for arranged employment.

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