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IRCC to remove LMIA-based job offer points from Comprehensive Ranking System

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently announced a significant change in the Express Entry system, which manages applications for skilled immigrants seeking permanent residency in Canada. The new policy will eliminate the additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points previously awarded for candidates with Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)-based job offers. This shift is expected to bring substantial changes to how candidates are ranked and invited to apply for permanent residence.

What does this change mean?

Under the upcoming policy, candidates will no longer receive CRS points for LMIA-based job offers. This change aims to address specific concerns regarding the misuse of the LMIA process, which was occasionally exploited by individuals seeking to boost their CRS scores unfairly. By removing this element, the government hopes to create a more equitable and transparent system where candidates are primarily assessed on their core human capital factors.

This change could lead to several shifts within the Express Entry system. Candidates who previously relied on LMIA-based job offers may need to focus on strengthening other aspects of their profile to remain competitive. Meanwhile, applicants without job offers may find themselves on a more level playing field, as the CRS scores may no longer skew in favor of those with arranged employment.

The primary reason for this policy shift is to enhance the integrity of the Express Entry system. Immigration Minister Marc Miller explained that awarding CRS points for LMIA-based job offers inadvertently created opportunities for fraud and abuse. For instance, some candidates reportedly paid employers for LMIAs solely to gain additional CRS points, undermining the system’s fairness.

The removal of LMIA-based points aims to eliminate this loophole, ensuring that only candidates who genuinely meet the core criteria for Canadian immigration are prioritized. It also aligns with the broader goal of attracting immigrants based on their skills, education, and potential contributions to Canada’s economy rather than their ability to secure a specific type of job offer.

Impact on CRS cut-off scores

The removal of LMIA-based job offer points is likely to influence the CRS cut-off scores in future Express Entry draws. Over the past year, many all-program and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws had cut-off scores exceeding 500 points, making it challenging for candidates without additional points from job offers, provincial nominations, or Canadian education credentials to qualify.

Without the LMIA-based points, it is anticipated that the CRS cut-off scores may decline, particularly in draws targeting general or broad categories. This could provide opportunities for a wider range of candidates, especially those relying solely on their core human capital factors, such as age, education, and language proficiency.

However, candidates in highly competitive fields or those applying through category-specific draws may still face high CRS cut-off scores. The policy change will not necessarily reduce competition but will likely result in a fairer distribution of points among candidates.

How can you boost your CRS score?

Candidates impacted by the removal of LMIA-based points can explore alternative strategies to enhance their CRS scores and improve their chances of receiving an ITA. Some of the most effective methods include:

• Improving Language Proficiency: Scoring higher on English or French language tests, such as IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF, can significantly boost CRS points. Bilingual candidates, in particular, can earn additional points for their French proficiency.
• Pursuing Further Education in Canada: Completing a post-secondary program at a Canadian designated learning institution (DLI) can earn candidates valuable points for Canadian education credentials. This also demonstrates adaptability, which is a key factor in the CRS.
• Enhancing Spouse’s Profile: For candidates applying with a spouse, ensuring that the spouse’s education, language skills, and work experience are optimized can contribute additional points to the overall CRS score.
• Gaining Canadian Work Experience: Candidates already in Canada can benefit from gaining work experience in skilled occupations. Canadian work experience is highly valued in the CRS and can lead to better rankings.
• Securing a Provincial Nomination: Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) remain a critical pathway for boosting CRS scores. A provincial nomination adds 600 points to a candidate’s CRS score, effectively guaranteeing an ITA in the next draw.

What efforts is the government taking?

This policy change is part of a broader effort by the Canadian government to refine its immigration policies and ensure they align with the country’s economic needs and societal goals. In recent years, Canada has focused on attracting immigrants who can fill gaps in the labor market, support economic growth, and contribute to community development.

The change also coincides with other adjustments to immigration programs, including updates to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). In 2024, the government implemented stricter requirements for certain TFWP streams, emphasizing higher wages and reducing processing times for specific occupations. These measures aim to strengthen the program’s integrity and ensure that it complements Canada’s permanent immigration pathways.

While the removal of LMIA-based points may pose challenges for some candidates, it also opens doors for others. Candidates will need to adapt their strategies to remain competitive in the Express Entry pool. For instance, those without job offers will no longer face a disadvantage compared to candidates who previously benefited from additional points.

Moreover, the policy emphasizes the importance of core human capital factors, which are more indicative of a candidate’s long-term potential to succeed in Canada. This shift encourages applicants to focus on building skills and qualifications that align with Canada’s labor market needs.

The role of the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)

The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is a points-based system used by IRCC to assess and rank candidates in the Express Entry pool. Candidates are evaluated on various factors, including age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and adaptability. Additionally, candidates can earn extra points for factors such as having a sibling in Canada, French language proficiency, or receiving a provincial nomination.

Previously, having an LMIA-based job offer could add 50 or 200 points to a candidate’s CRS score, depending on the job's classification under the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system. These additional points often made a critical difference in whether a candidate received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency. For many applicants, this was a significant advantage, as securing an LMIA-based job offer ensured higher rankings in the pool and increased chances of selection in draws.

Conclusion

The removal of LMIA-based job offer points from the Comprehensive Ranking System marks a significant milestone in Canada’s immigration policy. By prioritizing core human capital factors and reducing opportunities for misuse of the LMIA process, IRCC is fostering a more transparent and equitable system.

While this change may initially create uncertainties for candidates and employers, it ultimately aligns with Canada’s long-term vision of attracting skilled immigrants who can contribute meaningfully to the economy and society. Candidates must now focus on strengthening their profiles through education, language skills, work experience, and adaptability to maximize their chances of success in the Express Entry system.

For many, this policy shift represents not just a challenge but an opportunity to compete fairly and showcase their potential to thrive in Canada.

If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit or Migrate to Canada, talk to I Can Help Immigration Services, at

+1 778 239 7861 or +1 647 453 7660 with RCIC # R413239, Canada’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Company to get the best help you need.