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In a significant shift to Canada's immigration system, the government has eliminated bonus Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points awarded for arranged employment under the Express Entry program, effective March 25, 2025.
What Changed?
Previously, Express Entry candidates could receive an additional 50 or 200 CRS points if they held a valid job offer, including those supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This extra boost substantially improved candidates’ chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence (PR). With the removal of these points, as outlined in the updated Ministerial Instructions, candidates with valid job offers will immediately see a drop in their scores. Notably, this change only affects candidates in the Express Entry pool who had received bonus points; those who have already received ITAs or who have ongoing PR applications remain unaffected.
Temporary Measure with Broader Implications
In a December 23, 2025, press release, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) indicated that this removal is a temporary measure—although no end date has been provided. Despite removing the extra points, the March 25, 2025, instructions retain most definitions detailing what qualifies as arranged employment. This means that a valid job offer remains crucial not only for Express Entry but also for eligibility under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and some Provincial Nominee Program streams.
Impact on Candidates: A Tale of Two Applicants
The removal of bonus CRS points is expected to reshape the competitive landscape of the Express Entry pool. For instance, consider two fictitious candidates:
|
Candidate |
Prior CRS Score |
Current CRS Score |
|---|---|---|
|
Andrew |
540 (includes 50 bonus points) |
490 (bonus points removed) |
|
Anita |
500 |
500 (no bonus points previously) |
In this example, if an upcoming draw sets the CRS cutoff at 495, Anita would receive an ITA while Andrew would miss out, despite having a valid job offer. This change suggests that candidates without arranged employment may see their relative chances improve as the overall score landscape adjusts.
Additional Changes for Physicians
Another notable update in the new Ministerial Instructions is the removal of the expanded criteria for qualifying arranged employment for physicians. The previous guidelines under section 29(4) allowed physicians’ job offers of less than one year to count if they were made by recognized government or healthcare institutions. With this section now removed, the pathway for physicians to gain bonus points has also been adjusted.
Understanding the Comprehensive Ranking System
Canada's Comprehensive Ranking System is a points-based tool used to evaluate candidates under:
- The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- The Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
Candidates accumulate points (up to a maximum of 1200) based on factors such as:
- Age
- Education
- Language proficiency
- Work experience
Additional points can be earned for skills like French language proficiency, Canadian post-secondary education, having a sibling in Canada as a citizen or permanent resident, or a provincial/territorial nomination. The government then conducts frequent draws, inviting the highest-ranking candidates to apply for permanent residence.
Rationale Behind the Change
Former Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced the planned change on December 17, 2024. The decision was driven by a desire to eliminate the incentives for candidates to "purchase an LMIA," a practice deemed illegal in Canada. Officials assert that this measure will help reduce immigration fraud and uphold the integrity of Canada's immigration system alongside other ongoing efforts, such as proposing new regulations and establishing a compensation fund for victims of unethical immigration consultants.
What Lies Ahead?
Candidates are advised to check the IRCC CRS webpage for updates. IRCC notes that it "may take a few days" for the affected candidates’ new scores to be correctly reflected. Should discrepancies persist for over a week, candidates are encouraged to follow up appropriately.
CIC News will update this article as more details emerge on how these changes may further affect the Express Entry pool and Canada's immigration landscape.
More Insights to Consider
If you're navigating the Express Entry process, consider recalibrating your application strategy. With the redistribution of points, candidates might want to explore ways to bolster other areas of their profile. Think about enhancing language proficiency or pursuing further education to secure a more competitive edge.
Moreover, this development prompts a broader discussion on the balance between system integrity and candidate opportunities. How might the temporary nature of this measure evolve into long-term policy? What other facets of the immigration framework could see reform soon?
Stay tuned for further insights and detailed analyses as the situation develops.
