IRCC Removes Job Offer Points from Express Entry Ranking System

Effective March 25, 2025, Express Entry candidates will no longer receive additional CRS points for having a valid job offer, including those supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This is a long-anticipated change, first announced in December 2024, and is now in effect and could impact your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply for permanent residency.

Program-Specific Implications

While the CRS point adjustment is sweeping, job offers retain importance in several immigration pathways:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program: Job offers remain part of the minimum eligibility requirements
• Federal Skilled Trades Program: Valid offers continue to be mandatory for qualification
• Provincial Nominee Programs: Most provincial streams still consider job offers for nomination criteria

Recommended Actions for the Applicants

Affected applicants should:

• Recalculate CRS scores using official tools
• Monitor provincial nomination opportunities
• Consider alternative point enhancement strategies (language testing, credential assessments)
• Allow 5-7 business days for system updates before inquiring about score discrepancies, as although this change will officially take effect on March 25, 2025, it may take a few days for your CRS points to be updated accordingly in your profile.

This policy change represents the most major Express Entry modification since the introduction of category-based draws. Immigration experts anticipate it may temporarily reduce draw cut-off scores while applicants and employers adjust to these changes.

Keshav Sharma, a licensed expert and Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant, leads a team of seasoned professionals handling all immigration matters. Our team is equipped with the knowledge and experience to guide you through every step of the process. Don’t leave your immigration journey to chance. You can contact our experts today to get started on your Canada visa application.