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IRCC to Eliminate CRS Points for Job Offers in Express Entry by Spring 2025
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced significant changes to the Express Entry system, which will come into effect in spring 2025. The adjustment involves removing additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points currently awarded to candidates with valid job offers.
Current System and Planned Changes
Presently, Express Entry candidates can receive an extra 50 or 200 CRS points for having a valid job offer. These points often play a crucial role in determining whether a candidate receives an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
Under the upcoming changes, no additional CRS points will be granted for arranged employment. IRCC clarified that this is a temporary measure but has not indicated when it might end.
Who Will Be Affected?
The removal of CRS points for job offers will apply to all new and existing candidates in the Express Entry pool, including those already working in Canada on temporary permits. The policy will affect job offers across all industries, as IRCC has stated that the rule will apply universally to all candidates with valid job offers.
Who Will Not Be Affected?
This change will not impact:
- Candidates who have already received an ITA based on CRS points that included job offer points under the “arranged employment” category.
- Applicants who have submitted their permanent residence (PR) applications and are currently being processed.
IRCC highlighted the distinction between candidates and applicants in the Express Entry system. A candidate refers to an individual in the Express Entry pool who has submitted a profile, while an applicant is someone who has already received an ITA and submitted their PR application.
Background Announcement
On December 17, Immigration Minister Marc Miller first revealed that candidates seeking Canadian permanent residence through Express Entry would no longer receive CRS points for LMIA-based job offers. At the time, no specific details or timeline were provided. With this latest update, IRCC has now confirmed that the change will take effect in spring 2025.
About Express Entry
Express Entry is Canada’s points-based system for managing applications under the following programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
Candidates are assigned scores out of 1200 based on factors such as age, education, work experience, and language proficiency. Additional points up to 600 are awarded for factors like:
- Having a sibling in Canada who is a citizen or permanent resident
- French language proficiency
- Canadian post-secondary education credentials
- Arranged employment
- Provincial or territorial nomination
When this new policy is implemented, candidates will no longer receive CRS points for arranged employment, potentially reshaping the selection process within Express Entry.
This update marks another shift in IRCC’s strategy to refine Canada’s immigration system, ensuring fairness and adaptability in the candidate ranking process.