Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced a pivotal change to its Express Entry system. Starting spring 2025, candidates will no longer receive additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for having valid job offers. This temporary adjustment, with no specified end date, will impact all new and existing applicants, including those currently working in Canada on temporary permits.
Presently, valid job offers add 50 or 200 CRS points to a candidate’s score, significantly boosting their chances of obtaining an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. The removal of these points will apply uniformly across all occupations and industries, reducing reliance on arranged employment for enhanced immigration prospects.
IRCC has clarified that this change will not affect candidates who have already received an ITA based on CRS points, including those awarded for job offers. Furthermore, individuals who have submitted permanent residence applications under processing will remain unaffected.
While the measure is labeled as temporary, IRCC has not provided an end date for the adjustment. The decision is likely part of ongoing efforts to refine Canada’s immigration pathways, balancing labor market needs with equitable access for candidates across the globe.
This development comes as Canada continues to set ambitious immigration goals, including welcoming 465,000 new residents this year. The nation has also broken records in processing immigration applications and taken steps to expedite visa processing times for countries like Pakistan.
Candidates in the Express Entry pool are encouraged to review their profiles and adjust strategies accordingly, focusing on alternative ways to enhance their CRS scores during this transitional period.
