10/17/2026
Canada is introducing major changes to its Express Entry immigration system from November 3, 2026. The biggest change is that Canada will give more weight to eligible Canadian work experience and job offers in high-wage occupations, while removing the requirement for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) for qualifying job offers. These changes were announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on October 16, 2026.
The changes matter most if you're applying for Canadian permanent residence (PR), already working in Canada, or hoping to use a Canadian job offer to improve your Express Entry score.
1. What exactly is changing on November 3?
More CRS points for high-wage Canadian work experience
You may receive an additional 20, 40 or 70 points if you have at least 12 months of eligible Canadian work experience in a qualifying high-wage occupation.
Job offers can earn 50, 70 or 100 CRS points
A qualifying job offer in an eligible high-wage occupation can earn additional points depending on the occupation's wage classification.
LMIA no longer required for qualifying job offers
You will no longer need an LMIA for a qualifying job offer to earn these CRS points or to meet the relevant job-offer requirements under the Federal Skilled Worker Program and Federal Skilled Trades Program, subject to the applicable rules.
Existing Express Entry profiles will be recalculated
You do not necessarily need to create a new profile. IRCC says recalculating existing scores could take up to two weeks, during which invitation rounds will be paused.
Source: official IRCC announcement and program guidance.
2. How many points can you get under the new rules?
A. If you have Canadian work experience
You need at least 12 months or 1,560 hours of eligible Canadian work experience in qualifying high-wage occupations to receive the additional points.
Wage level of occupation
Extra CRS points
At least 2 times the national median wage
+70
At least 1.5 times the national median wage
+40
At least 1.3 times the national median wage
+20
Below the qualifying threshold
+0
These are additional points on top of the points you already receive for the duration of your Canadian work experience.
For example, if you have one year of eligible Canadian work experience and qualify for the 70-point bonus, your Canadian work experience could contribute 110 points without an accompanying spouse (40 existing duration points + 70 additional points).
B. If you have a Canadian job offer
Wage classification of the occupation
Extra CRS points
At least 2 times the national median wage
100
At least 1.5 times, but less than 2 times
70
At least 1.3 times, but less than 1.5 times
50
Not on the eligible high-wage occupation list
0
Your job offer must meet the applicable Express Entry requirements. Generally, it must be for full-time, continuous work in Canada for at least one year after you become a permanent resident.
Important: You cannot add the new high-wage Canadian work experience points and the job-offer points together. IRCC will use whichever eligible option gives you the higher score.
3. Which jobs qualify as high-wage occupations?
It is not simply a matter of earning a high salary yourself. IRCC classifies occupations using their National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes and national median-wage data.
Examples on the official eligible list include:
Software engineers and developers
Data scientists
Cybersecurity specialists
Computer systems developers
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Healthcare
Registered nurses
Pharmacists
Dentists
Nurse practitioners
Medical specialists
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Engineering and skilled trades
Civil and mechanical engineers
Electrical engineers
Industrial electricians
Power system electricians
Elevator mechanics
Management and professional occupations
Financial managers
Engineering managers
University professors
Lawyers
Construction managers
These are examples, not a complete list. Some occupations fall into different point tiers, so check your exact job title and NOC code against the official IRCC high-wage occupation list
4. What does removing the LMIA requirement mean?
LMIA stands for Labour Market Impact Assessment. It is a document that employers have generally needed in certain situations to hire foreign workers.
From November 3:
A qualifying job offer will no longer need an LMIA to earn the new CRS job-offer points.
An LMIA will no longer give you extra CRS points or priority simply because you have one.
IRCC will still check that the job offer is genuine, that the employer can fulfil it, and that you are qualified to do the job.
Not every job offer will earn extra CRS points. The new bonus points are limited to eligible high-wage occupations.
A separate distinction is important: removing the LMIA requirement for Express Entry does not mean you automatically receive a work permit or permission to work in Canada. Work permit requirements remain a separate matter.
5. What if you already have an Express Entry profile?
You do not necessarily need to start again.
IRCC plans to recalculate existing profiles when the new rules take effect.
The recalculation may take up to two weeks, during which invitation rounds will be paused.
If you have a valid job offer, check that your profile contains the correct information before November 3.
An increase in your CRS score does not guarantee an invitation to apply for PR.
There is also an unusual temporary system issue: IRCC says the online profile system may not immediately reflect the new LMIA rules. Its official guidance explains how applicants with qualifying offers without an LMIA should enter the information. Follow the official instructions here rather than guessing or entering inconsistent information.
6. Who benefits, and who might be affected?
Your situation
Likely effect of the changes
You work in Canada in an eligible high-wage occupation
You may receive additional CRS points.
You have a qualifying high-wage Canadian job offer
You may receive 50โ100 additional points.
You have a Canadian job offer in an occupation outside the eligible list
You will not receive the new high-wage job-offer points, although the offer may still help meet certain program eligibility requirements.
You live outside Canada without Canadian work experience or a qualifying job offer
You will not qualify for these particular new bonuses, but can still qualify for Express Entry through other criteria.
You already have a profile in the Express Entry pool
Your CRS score is scheduled to be recalculated.
The overall effect on your chances will depend on your existing CRS score, qualifications, work history and the invitations IRCC issues.
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