Canada Removes Extra CRS Points for Job Offers in Express Entry

Canada has made an important change to its Express Entry system. From now on, candidates will no longer get extra CRS points for having a valid job offer—even if that offer is supported by an LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment).

What Changed?

Until now, Express Entry applicants could receive 50 or 200 extra points for arranged employment. These points gave many candidates a better chance of getting an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.

But as of March 25, 2025, those points are no longer being given. This change affects everyone in the Express Entry pool who had a job offer and was receiving those extra points.

Who Is Not Affected?

If you have already received an ITA, or if your PR application is being processed, this change won’t affect you.

Why This Change?

IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) says this is a temporary change, but they haven’t said when the points might be added back.
Even though the points are removed, the rules about what counts as a valid job offer are still listed in the program.

What Should Candidates Do?

IRCC says your CRS score might take a few days to update. Don’t contact them unless your score still looks wrong after one week.
Is a Job Offer Still Useful?

Yes! A job offer is still important for some programs like:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program
• Federal Skilled Trades Program
• Some Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

What Does This Mean for You?

• If you had a job offer: your CRS score will now be lower. It may be harder to get selected through Express Entry.
• If you don’t have a job offer: Your score stays the same, but now you may have a better chance since others’ scores have dropped.