📢 KEY TAKAWAYS
🛑 As of March 25, 2025, CRS points for valid job offers have been eliminated.
🛑This change is temporary, but no end date has been confirmed.
🛑The move is aimed at reducing immigration fraud.
🛑Those without job offers may now have a better shot at receiving an ITA.
Effective March 25, 2025, candidates in Canada’s Express Entry system will no longer receive additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for having a valid job offer, even if supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
This significant change impacts how candidates are ranked in the Express Entry pool and could influence who receives Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence in Canada. IRCC has already updated this change on their official website.
What’s Changing in Express Entry?
Prior to this policy shift, Express Entry candidates could earn 50 or 200 CRS points for arranged employment—points that often made a big difference in securing an ITA.
As of March 25, these bonus points are no longer awarded, meaning candidates with job offers will lose those additional CRS points in their profiles.
Who Is Affected?
This update impacts:
- All candidates currently in the Express Entry pool who previously received CRS points for a valid job offer
However, candidates who already received an ITA or have ongoing permanent residence applications are not affected by this change.
According to a December 23, 2024, press release from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the change is temporary, but no timeline for its reversal has been provided.
Why Is Canada Removing CRS Points for Job Offers?
The change is part of the federal government’s effort to combat immigration fraud and maintain integrity in Canada’s immigration system.
Former Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced the measure on December 17, 2024, citing concerns about some candidates allegedly purchasing LMIAs, which is illegal in Canada.
By removing the incentive, the IRCC aims to:
- Reduce fraudulent job offers
- Promote fair and merit-based selection
- Protect genuine applicants
What About the CRS System and Job Offers?
While CRS points for job offers have been removed, the definition of a valid job offer remains unchanged in the Ministerial Instructions.
This means a valid job offer is still important for eligibility under the following programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
The IRCC also advises that it may take a few days for CRS scores to update, and candidates should only contact them if scores remain incorrect for over a week.
What Does This Mean for Candidates?
a) For candidates with job offers:
- Expect a CRS score drop of either 50 or 200 points
- Decreased chances of receiving an ITA
b) For candidates without job offers:
- CRS scores remain unchanged
- Improved ranking relative to others in the pool
- Increased chance of being selected
This policy shift could rebalance the pool, giving more equitable opportunities to candidates who meet other core human capital criteria.
What Happens Next?
The IRCC has stated that further updates will be announced as more details emerge. Express Entry candidates are advised to:
- Monitor their profiles regularly
- Stay updated on policy changes
- Focus on core CRS components like language scores, education, and work experience