Canada announces major Express Entry change, no extra points for job offers to foreigners

Canada has announced a big change in the selection process of foreigners using the Express Entry system. Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, declared that Express Entry applicants will no longer receive additional points for possessing a job offer as part of continuous efforts to stop and lessen fraud.

This temporary measure will reduce fraud by removing the incentive to illegally buy or sell labour market impact assessments to improve a candidate’s chances of being selected to come to Canada as a permanent resident. This change will come into effect in spring 2025.

A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document that an employer in Canada may need to get before hiring a foreign worker. A positive LMIA will show that there is a need for a foreign worker to fill the job. It will also show that no Canadian worker or permanent resident is available to do the job. A positive LMIA is sometimes called a confirmation letter. Once an employer gets the LMIA, the worker can apply for a work permit.

Once the new rules for Express Entry take effect, the changes will impact candidates pursuing permanent residence through the Express Entry system, including those currently working in Canada temporarily. The changes will not affect candidates who have already been invited to apply or who have an application in progress. Once the change is introduced, it will apply to all candidates with job offers in the pool as well as new candidates entering the pool.

Express Entry is Canada’s flagship application management system for those seeking to immigrate permanently through the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, the Canadian Experience Class and a portion of the Provincial Nominee Program.

The Express Entry process begins by creating a profile and entering the pool. The IRCC issues invitations to apply to selected candidates from the lottery. Candidates with the most points in each round are invited, and a cut-off CRS score is established. Once invited, candidates must complete the application and wait for the IRCC’s judgment.