Canada Removes Bonus CRS Points for Job Offers in Express Entry

March 25, 2025 – Canada has officially removed bonus Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for arranged employment in the Express Entry system, affecting thousands of skilled immigration candidates.

What’s Changing?

Previously, Express Entry applicants with a valid job offer—especially those supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)—could receive an additional 50 or 200 CRS points, significantly improving their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.

However, as of March 25, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has eliminated these extra points, making it harder for candidates with arranged employment to rank higher in the Express Entry pool.

Who is Affected?

✅ Candidates in the Express Entry pool who previously relied on job offers for extra CRS points will see their scores drop by 50 or 200 points.
❌ Those who already received an ITA or have a PR application in process are not impacted.

Why Did Canada Make This Change?

IRCC stated in a December 23, 2024, press release that this is a temporary measure, but has not provided a timeline for its reversal. The government aims to ensure a fairer and more balanced selection process, giving candidates without job offers a better chance of being invited for PR.

What Should Candidates Do?

• Recalculate your CRS score to assess your current ranking.
• Explore alternative pathways, such as Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), which still provide additional points.
• Keep an eye on Express Entry draw trends, as lower CRS scores may now be sufficient to receive an ITA.