20/10/2026
Are you in the Express Entry pool, or planning to join? Hereβs whatβs changing π
β
New CRS points for high-wage jobs
IRCC is adding a new βLabour Market Integrationβ factor that rewards Canadian work experience and job offers in high-wage occupations (jobs paying at least 1.3Γ the national median wage). Examples include engineers and electricians, and there are 186 occupations on IRCCβs list.
πΌ Canadian work experience bonus
If you have 12+ months of Canadian work experience in a high-wage occupation, you can get 20, 40 or 70 extra points, depending on the wage level (1.3Γ, 1.5Γ or 2Γ). This is on top of your regular Canadian experience points, so Canadian experience can now be worth up to 150 points.
π Job offer points are BACK, with no LMIA needed
A qualifying job offer in a high-wage occupation can earn 50, 70 or 100 points, and you no longer need an LMIA for it.
β οΈ Note: You canβt stack both. IRCC will give you whichever route (work experience OR job offer) gives you more points.
βΈοΈ Draws will pause
IRCC will automatically recalculate everyoneβs CRS score. This may take up to 2 weeks, and invitation rounds will be paused during that time.
π What you should do NOW (before Nov 3):
πΉ Check your NOC code against IRCCβs high-wage occupation list (link below π)
πΉ Make sure your Canadian work experience is entered correctly in your profile
πΉ If you have a job offer, add the details to your profile before Nov 3. IRCC can only award job offer points based on whatβs already in your profile!
π Official IRCC links:
π° IRCC news release:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2026/10/canada-refocusing-express-entry-on-top-talent-that-drives-economic-growth.html
π Check if your NOC code qualifies (High-wage occupations list):
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/check-score/high-wage.html
π Full details of the changes (IRCC backgrounder):
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2026/10/changes-to-express-entry-for-high-wage-occupations.html
π¬ Have questions about how this affects your CRS score? Drop them in the comments or send us a message!
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π± Canada: +1 (416) 903 4778
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π www.aclaraimmigration.com
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