Canada has announced major changes to its Express Entry immigration system. The new rules will offer additional points to skilled workers with Canadian experience or high-paying job offers.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will introduce the changes on November 3, 2026. The revised system aims to give qualified workers more opportunities to secure permanent residency.
New Points System for Skilled Workers
Under the updated Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), applicants can earn extra points based on their employment history and salary.
Candidates with at least one year of eligible Canadian work experience can receive 20, 40, or 70 additional points.
Meanwhile, applicants with qualifying high-paying job offers may receive 50, 70, or 100 points.
However, candidates cannot combine points from both categories. Instead, they will receive the higher applicable score.
Canada Eases Job Offer Requirements
The government will also remove certain Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) requirements for eligible job offers.
IRCC will directly review job offers to confirm their validity. Officials will check whether employers operate legitimate businesses and follow employment laws.
Applicants must also meet the qualifications required for their jobs.
The maximum available points under the new employment factor will reach 150 for applicants without accompanying partners. Those applying with partners can receive up to 140 points.
Important Deadline for Applicants
IRCC has advised eligible candidates to update their Express Entry profiles before November 3.
However, additional points will not guarantee permanent residency. Applicants must still meet immigration requirements and competitive CRS scores.
The changes could improve opportunities for skilled workers seeking permanent residency in Canada.
