Express Entry candidates will no longer be awarded additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for holding a valid job offer, even if it is backed by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
This change was implemented through the Ministerial Instructions effective March 25, 2025.
Canada Eliminates CRS Bonus Points for Arranged Employment in Express Entry
Express Entry candidates will no longer receive additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for having a valid job offer, even if it is supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
This change took effect through Ministerial Instructions on March 25, 2025, impacting all candidates in the Express Entry pool who previously benefited from these extra points. However, candidates who have already received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) or have ongoing permanent residence (PR) applications remain unaffected.
Before this policy shift, candidates could gain 50 or 200 CRS points for arranged employment, significantly increasing their likelihood of receiving an ITA. With the removal of these points, candidates with job offers will see their CRS scores drop accordingly, reducing their chances of being invited. Conversely, applicants without job offers may have better odds, as overall scores in the pool decrease.
Example Scenario
Andrew and Anita are two hypothetical candidates under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) stream. Previously, Andrew had a total CRS score of 540, including 50 bonus points for his job offer, while Anita had 500 points. Under the new rules, Andrew’s score drops to 490, meaning that if an upcoming draw has a cutoff of 495, Anita would receive an ITA while Andrew would not.
Changes for Physicians
The updated Ministerial Instructions also removed a provision that previously allowed physicians’ employment offers of less than a year to qualify as arranged employment, provided they were offered by government entities or healthcare organizations.
How the CRS System Works
CRS ranks Express Entry candidates based on factors such as age, education, language proficiency, and work experience. Additional points are awarded for criteria such as French language ability, Canadian education, having a sibling in Canada, or obtaining a provincial nomination. Regular draws invite the highest-scoring candidates to apply for PR.
Why Canada Made This Change
The government’s decision to eliminate CRS points for arranged employment follows concerns about fraudulent practices, such as candidates allegedly purchasing LMIAs. Former Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced this initiative on December 17, 2024, as part of efforts to safeguard the integrity of Canada’s immigration system. The government has also been implementing broader anti-fraud measures, including proposed regulations to protect victims of unethical immigration consultants.
IRCC has stated that this removal of CRS job offer points is temporary but has not specified an end date. Additionally, while the section awarding CRS points for job offers has been removed, most provisions defining a qualifying offer remain in place.
On its CRS webpage, IRCC advises candidates that score adjustments may take a few days to reflect. Candidates should only contact IRCC if their scores remain incorrect for more than a week.
Despite these changes, valid job offers will still be relevant for eligibility under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and some Provincial Nominee Program streams.
This is a developing story, and CIC News will continue to provide updates as more details emerge.
BREAKING: Canada removes bonus CRS points for arranged employment from Express Entry | CIC News
