Introduction
Starting in Spring 2025, Immigration, Refuges and Citizenship (IRCC) will make a major move in its Express Entry System such as awarding no Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points to candidates who hold a valid job offer.
The Current Landscape:
Presently, candidates applying for Express Entry are given between 50 and 200 additional CRS points if they have an employer-supported job offer along with a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Most often, these points become a deciding factor in the candidate receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
Change Depends:
From Spring 2025, all candidates in the Express Entry pool with valid job offers will be stripped of the special CRS points. This will also apply to candidates who are currently working temporarily in Canada since it is not excluded. But not affected are those who already got an ITA or submitted a permanent residence application prior to the implementation.
Reason for Change:
The primary reason for this policy change is to enhance the integrity of the immigration system by diminishing the possibility for fraud and abuse related to LMIAs. By removing the incentive for the obtaining of LMIAs solely for the purpose of obtaining extra CRS points, the IRCC has sought to make the selection process fair and transparent.
How Candidates Can Improve Their CRS Scores Without LMIA Points?
- Improve Language Proficiency - Higher outcome on IELTS or TEF scores is likely to improve point scores.
- Enhance education qualification-The more degrees a person has, or the more degrees acquired in Canada would be better chances at ranking.
- Gain More Work Experience in a Skilled Occupation-the more years of work experience, especially that gained in Canada, might help.
- Consider Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)-A nomination under a PNP still awards 600 additional points.
Final Thoughts
- What Will Be the Next for Candidates? – Recommended improvements on CRS scores and keeping up to date with changes in immigration.
- When Will It Make the Final Cut? – Everyone is now waiting for the final announcement by IRCC of when the date will be implemented.
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