Canada's Express Entry system has always been that golden opportunity for skilled immigrants for permanent residency; however, the recent change in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) seem to herald a new era for applicants. From today, March 25, 2025, job offer points (200 points for senior management roles and 50 points for other skilled occupations) have been removed in the CRS additional points. Whether you're already in the pool, lost the points overnight, or never had a job offer, here's how this will affect your immigration path.

 

Changes at-a-glance

What has been removed: 50 or 200 CRS points previously earned with job offers, LMIA-based or LMIA-exempt.

Who does NOT get affected? Only those who received an Invitation to Apply before the update.

What's the point of all these changes? The rampant abuse of the job offer points system on a massive scale The removal of points for job offer is openly viewed as a measure to stop that exploitation.

 

Who Is Affected?

1. Express Entry Candidates in the Pool

If you currently have a job offer in your profile, additional points for this factor disappear automatically.

Your eligibility to stay in the pool is unchanged; only your score drops.

Example: A candidate with 500 CRS now (of which 50 are for job offer points) will drop to 450.

 

2. Candidates with Invitations to Apply (ITAs)

No impact: If you received an ITA before March 25, 2025, and your invitation is still valid, you can claim job offer points as usual. 

 

3. Employers and Job Offer Holders

LMIA-approved job offers still count for a work permit and some provincial programs but not for increasing CRS scores.

If You Lost Points: Survival Guide 

The plunge could hurt most, especially if your score is at or near the recent cutoffs (~500+). But do not be disheartened as  there are available options:

Option 1: Explore PNPs. Some provinces highlight the in-demand skills candidates without job offer.

Option 2: Work in Canada to qualify for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

Option 3: Study in Canada. Join a study program eligible for Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). This will add points for education and work experience in Canada.

Option 4: Look into Category-based selection: Consider working in priority occupations or learn French.

If You Never Had a Job Offer: A Silver Lining

This is, more or less, the great equalizer. 50 and 200 additional points is a big advantage, and its removal could mean that CRS cutoffs may be lower in future draws. The focus should be on:

Optimizing human capital points: Language scores must be maximized; Canadian and foreign work experience should be highlighted, as well as education credentials.

Researching PNPs: Provinces have different approaches of inviting applicants and deciding based on what their needs are. Some PNPs also have dedicayed streams for applicants with job offers, so applicants can still take advantage of that.

Why Did IRCC Make This Change? 

This was a direct hit on the fraudulent operations laced into the system:

Fake LMIA Job Offers: Candidates paying employers or consultants for "fake" jobs just to claim points.

Document Fraud: Letters of job offers forged or otherwise misleading to inflate CRS scores.

Predatory Schemes: Feeding desperate people who need to increase points.

By taking away the additional points for arranged employment, IRCC aims to deconstruct the incentive structure for these scams. 

A loss of job offer points is a setback for some, but this change has opened up new doors for others. While it is a temporary measure disrupting the fraud, it would definitely cause problems for candidates who have legitimate job offers. Canada is still very much pro-skilled immigration. Focusing on the PNPs, language, and Canadian experience will still make things happen for applicants. 

IRCC has shown that the future of immigration will be merit-based and not manipulation-based. So be informed, stay updated, right your strategy, explore all way paths, and keep your eyes on that prize-your future in Canada.

 

Disclaimer: Please note that Canadian immigration laws and regulations are subject to change. The information provided in this article is intended for general guidance and may not reflect the most current legal developments at the time of your application. We strongly recommend consulting official government resources or seeking advice from a qualified legal professional before making any decisions or taking action based on the content of this article.

For personalized legal guidance, please email us me info@bnborderless.ca or visit our website to book a consultation.

 

Source: Express Entry Job Offer