LMIA points to vanish Spring 2025

Spring 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will implement a significant change to the Express Entry system: candidates will no longer receive additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for having a valid job offer.

Candidates who have already received an ITA or have an application in progress by spring 2025 will not be impacted.

However, once the policy is implemented, it will apply universally to all candidates with LMIA-backed job offers in the pool.

Current System:

Presently, Express Entry candidates can earn an extra 50 or 200 CRS points if they have a valid job offer supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). These additional points have often been crucial in securing an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence.

Upcoming Changes:

Once the new policy takes effect in spring 2025, candidates with valid job offers will no longer receive these additional CRS points. This adjustment will apply to all candidates in the Express Entry pool, including those currently working in Canada temporarily. However, individuals who have already received an ITA or have submitted their permanent residence applications before the implementation will not be affected.

Reasons for the Change:

The primary motivation behind this policy shift is to enhance the integrity of the immigration system by reducing fraud and misuse associated with LMIAs. By eliminating the incentive to obtain LMIAs solely for the purpose of gaining extra CRS points, IRCC aims to ensure a fairer and more transparent selection process.

Implications for Candidates:

Without the advantage of additional points for job offers, candidates will need to focus on other factors to improve their CRS scores, such as:

• Language Proficiency: Achieving higher scores in English or French language tests can significantly boost CRS points.
• Education: Obtaining higher educational qualifications or Canadian educational credentials can enhance scores.
• Work Experience: Accumulating more skilled work experience, particularly within Canada, can contribute to a higher CRS score.
• Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Securing a provincial nomination can add 600 points to a candidate's CRS score, effectively guaranteeing an ITA.

Candidates are encouraged to assess their profiles and consider these factors to remain competitive in the Express Entry pool once the changes are implemented.

We will announce an exact date when it is officially presented.