December 21st, 2024 at 07:41 am
Canada to Eliminate LMIA Job Offer Points from Express Entry Criteria
The Canadian government has announced a crucial change to its Express Entry immigration program. Effective immediately, candidates will no longer receive bonus points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) for having a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)-supported job offer. This policy shift has significant implications for those seeking permanent residency in Canada.
Key Announcement Details
On December 17, Immigration Minister Marc Miller shared this major policy update. This change has sparked considerable discussion among aspiring immigrants and immigration consultants. Candidates applying for Canadian permanent residency through Express Entry will no longer gain additional CRS points for LMIA-supported job offers.
Previous Points System
Previously, candidates could earn between 50 and 200 additional CRS points based on their LMIA-supported job offers. The specific number of points depended on the National Occupation Classification (NOC) TEER level of the position.
For example:
- 50 Points: Awarded for arranged employment in most NOC TEER categories.
- 200 Points: Granted for senior-level positions in NOC TEER 0 occupations, such as executive roles.
This point boost was often a decisive factor in receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency. With this adjustment, candidates who relied on these additional points must now consider alternative strategies to improve their CRS scores.
Understanding the CRS System
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) ranks Express Entry profiles based on various factors. The scoring system includes:
- Core Human Capital: This category includes age, education, language proficiency, and work experience. It accounts for up to 600 points.
- Additional Points: Candidates can earn up to 600 points from factors such as provincial nominations, Canadian education, French language skills, or having a sibling in Canada.
With the removal of additional points for job offers, candidates must now focus on other components of their profiles to enhance their scores.
Reasons Behind the Change
Minister Marc Miller explained that the elimination of LMIA-based job offer points aims to reduce fraud in the immigration system. The government seeks to strengthen the integrity of Canada’s immigration policies. By removing the incentive for candidates to purchase LMIAs, the government promotes fairness and transparency within the Express Entry framework.
“This measure is expected to eliminate the incentive for candidates to purchase an LMIA, resulting in increased fairness and integrity in Express Entry,” Miller stated.
Current Status and Future Timeline
As of December 18, the government’s online CRS calculator still reflects the previous points for LMIA-supported job offers. However, the exact date for the implementation of this change remains unclear. Candidates are encouraged to monitor updates closely for further information.
Implications for Skilled Workers
Candidates affected by this change must shift their focus to alternative strategies for boosting their CRS scores. Some effective strategies include:
- Improving Language Test Results: Higher language proficiency can significantly elevate CRS scores.
- Gaining Additional Work Experience: Relevant work experience, especially in high-demand occupations, can enhance a candidate’s profile.
- Pursuing Further Education in Canada: Obtaining additional qualifications can also improve score potential.
- Securing a Provincial or Territorial Nomination: Nominations can add valuable points to a candidate’s CRS score.
Updates on the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
This recent announcement aligns with changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). Key updates include:
- Suspension of Low-Wage Stream LMIAs: Processing for low-wage stream LMIAs was halted in September 2024.
- Higher Wage Requirements: As of November 2024, workers in the high-wage stream must now earn at least 20% above the median wage for their occupation.
These adjustments reflect the government’s commitment to refining Canada’s immigration policies, as outlined in the latest Immigration Levels Plan. This plan sets a target of 82,000 net new TFWP work permits by 2025.
Next Steps for Candidates
Candidates should take proactive steps in light of these changes. Here are some suggested actions:
- Review Your CRS Score: Re-evaluate your CRS score considering the removal of bonus points for job offers.
- Explore Alternative Pathways: Look into other pathways to Canadian permanent residency, such as provincial nomination programs or the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
- Stay Informed: Keep up to date with the latest announcements from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) regarding this policy change and its implementation.
Further Thoughts
The removal of additional CRS points for LMIA-supported job offers marks a significant shift in Canada’s immigration landscape. While this change may pose challenges for some candidates, it emphasizes the government’s dedication to creating a fair and transparent immigration system. Prospective immigrants are encouraged to explore various pathways and stay informed about further developments in Canadian immigration policies.
As candidates adapt to this new reality, they must remain proactive and flexible. By enhancing their skills and qualifications, they can continue to pursue their goal of Canadian permanent residency. The evolving landscape offers both challenges and opportunities and staying informed will be key to navigating this process successfully.
Canada Express Entry Good News: New PNP Draw
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently made headlines by issuing invitations to apply (ITAs) in a new draw. This draw, the first of the week, resulted in 1,085 ITAs exclusively for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates. To qualify, applicants needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 727.
This draw is significant as it marks the third draw this December. It follows a PNP draw on December 2 and a category-based draw for candidates proficient in French on December 3. Last month alone featured six Express Entry draws, resulting in a total of 5,507 ITAs for permanent residency (PR).
The pattern of these draws has become quite familiar. The IRCC alternates between draws for the PNP, Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and candidates with French language skills. This trend is likely to persist, especially with the introduction of the “In-Canada” focus category in the Immigration Levels Plan 2025-2027.
This initiative aims to target candidates from the CEC and other regional programs, potentially including those from the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). In total, the In-Canada category has been allocated 82,980 PR admissions for 2025, accounting for over 40% of all planned admissions for that year.
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