Maple News reports that the Government of Canada will eliminate Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for job offers supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) under the Express Entry system. Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced the upcoming change in a televised interview on December 17, confirming it will take effect in spring 2025.
Currently, Express Entry candidates with an LMIA-backed job offer can receive an additional 50 or 200 CRS points—often a deciding factor in whether they receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency. Removing these points will reshape the competitive landscape in the Express Entry pool, placing a greater emphasis on candidates’ core human capital factors.
The Express Entry system is Canada’s primary pathway for skilled immigration. It ranks eligible candidates using a points-based system known as the CRS, which evaluates applicants on multiple criteria, including age, education, language proficiency, and skilled work experience. The highest-ranking candidates receive invitations to apply for permanent residency during regular draws.
With LMIA-based points being phased out, candidates will need to focus more on enhancing their language skills, educational credentials, and work experience to remain competitive. This change signals Canada’s aim to shift focus away from employer-driven pathways and prioritize long-term adaptability and economic contribution of immigrants.
While LMIA-based job offers have traditionally served as a reliable route to strengthen a candidate’s CRS score, critics have argued that the system favored those with resources or employer connections, potentially sidelining other highly qualified applicants. The upcoming change is part of a broader strategy to make the Express Entry system more equitable and better aligned with Canada’s economic and demographic goals.
Immigration professionals and potential applicants are advised to review their immigration strategy in light of this development. With the new rules approaching, now is a crucial time for applicants to reassess their CRS profiles and consider pathway alternatives such as provincial nominations or improving their language scores.
Maple News will continue to monitor updates to the Express Entry program and provide timely guidance for aspiring immigrants navigating these evolving changes.