LMIA Job Offer Points Gone – Huge Change In Express Entry

As anticipated, it’s now official: Canada’s Express Entry system will no longer award points for job offers supported by Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIA), starting in Spring 2025. Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced this change in December 2024, highlighting the government’s goal of reducing fraud, improving fairness, and prioritizing candidates based on skills and qualifications rather than job offers. Below, we break down the details of this policy shift, its implications, and its broader context.

1. Why the Change Was Made

Currently, the Express Entry system awards an extra 50 or 200 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points to candidates with valid LMIAs, often influencing whether they receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency. However, the system has been misused by fraudulent actors who buy or sell LMIAs to boost CRS scores.

The removal of LMIA points is a temporary measure designed to:

• Tackle Fraud: By eliminating the incentive for fraudulent LMIA activity, the government aims to safeguard the integrity of the immigration system.
• Promote Merit-Based Selection: The focus will shift to core human capital factors like education, language skills, and work experience, ensuring a fairer and more transparent process.
• Simplify the Process: This change reduces administrative complexity and better aligns the Express Entry system with Canada’s evolving labor market needs.

2. Key Details of the Change

• Implementation Date: Spring 2025 (specific date pending).
• Who It Affects: All candidates in the Express Entry pool, including temporary foreign workers in Canada. Those who have already received an ITA or submitted their permanent residency application will not be impacted.
• Impact on CRS Scores: Candidates with LMIA-based job offers will lose the 50 or 200 points previously awarded, reducing their chances of receiving an ITA.
• Temporary Measure: While described as temporary, the government has not provided a timeline for reinstating these points.

3. Implications for Candidates

For Candidates with LMIA-Based Job Offers:

• Reduced Advantage: These candidates will need to focus on strengthening other parts of their profiles, such as language test scores or educational credentials, to remain competitive.
• Timing is Crucial: Those with valid job offers should consider entering the Express Entry pool before Spring 2025 to benefit from the current system.

For Candidates Without LMIA-Based Job Offers:

• Level Playing Field: The removal of LMIA points could lower overall CRS cut-off scores, offering a fairer opportunity for candidates without job offers.
• Focus on Core Factors: Key areas like education, language proficiency, and Canadian work experience will become even more significant.

4. How It Aligns with Canada’s Immigration Goals

This change is part of a broader shift in Canada’s immigration policies, including:

• Category-Based Draws: Increasingly, Express Entry draws are tailored to specific occupations like healthcare, STEM, skilled trades, and transportation—fields experiencing significant labor shortages.
• Francophone Immigration: Canada’s 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan aims to attract more French-speaking immigrants, with a target of 8.5% of total admissions in 2025.
• In-Canada Focus: Many ITAs are expected to go to candidates already in Canada, such as those in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or provincial nominee programs (PNPs).

5. Potential Challenges and Criticism

• Impact on Employers: Employers who rely on LMIA-based job offers to attract international talent may need to adjust their hiring strategies.
• Uncertainty for Candidates: The lack of a clear timeline for reinstating LMIA points could create anxiety among candidates.
• Fraud Prevention Limitations: Some critics argue that while removing LMIA points helps curb fraud, it doesn’t address the systemic issues in the LMIA approval process.

6. Recommendations for Candidates

To remain competitive, candidates should:

1. Improve Language Proficiency: Higher scores in English or French tests can significantly boost CRS points.
2. Gain Canadian Work Experience: Experience in high-demand occupations within Canada can enhance eligibility.
3. Pursue Further Education: Earning a Canadian degree or additional certifications can improve CRS scores.
4. Stay Informed: Regularly monitor updates to Express Entry criteria and category-based draws.
5. Seek Professional Advice: Immigration experts can help navigate the changes and optimize your application strategy.

7. Conclusion

The removal of LMIA job offer points from Canada’s Express Entry system underscores the government’s commitment to a transparent, merit-based immigration process. While this change poses challenges for some candidates, it also creates opportunities for others to compete on a more level playing field. By focusing on core human capital factors and aligning with Canada’s labor market priorities, candidates can increase their chances of success in this evolving system.

This policy update signals a significant step toward a more equitable immigration framework, and staying adaptable will be key for all applicants moving forward.

FAQ: Canada’s Express Entry System Changes – Removal of LMIA Job Offer Points

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Q: What is the main change happening to Canada’s Express Entry system, and when will it take effect?

A: The major change is the removal of points awarded for job offers supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This policy change will take effect in Spring 2025, though a specific date has not yet been announced. This impacts all Express Entry streams, including the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and Federal Skilled Trades (FST) programs.

Q: Why is Canada removing job offer points from the Express Entry system?

A: The primary reason for this change is the government’s concern over widespread fraud associated with LMIAs. Reports of LMIAs being bought and sold have surfaced, which allowed some candidates to artificially inflate their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores, potentially disadvantaging more qualified applicants. Removing the job offer points aims to discourage this fraudulent activity.

Q: How will the removal of job offer points affect Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores?

A: Candidates with job offers will lose 50 or 200 points, which can significantly impact their overall CRS score and their ranking in the Express Entry pool. While it’s difficult to predict the exact impact without detailed data on current CRS score distributions, it is anticipated that cut-off scores may decrease slightly, potentially creating opportunities for candidates without job offers.

Q: I already have a valid LMIA and am in the Express Entry pool. How will this change affect me?

A: The government has not yet provided specific details about the transition for existing LMIA holders. It is generally assumed that those who have already received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) or submitted their application will not be affected. However, further clarification is needed and it's best to submit your application as soon as possible. If you have a valid LMIA you should definitely apply before Spring 2025 to maximize your chances under the existing system.

How will this policy change affect different Express Entry streams like FSW, CEC, and FST?

• FSW: Federal Skilled Worker candidates, often overseas applicants, will likely benefit from the potential decrease in CRS cut-off scores. These candidates should focus on optimizing their core factors such as education, language proficiency, and work experience.
• CEC: Canadian Experience Class candidates, who already receive significant points for Canadian work experience, may see less of a direct impact.
• FST: Federal Skilled Trades candidates, who often rely on job offers, may need to explore alternative pathways such as provincial nomination programs (PNPs) or focus on enhancing their language skills.

Q: What does this change mean for Canadian employers?

A: Canadian employers will need to adapt their recruitment strategies for hiring foreign workers. Increased reliance on Provincial Nomination Programs (PNPs) and the Global Talent Stream is expected. This change may also prompt calls for reforms to the LMIA process itself, with a focus on stricter oversight to ensure the integrity of the system.

Q: Are there any other immigration pathways that could become more popular because of this change?

A: Yes, it is anticipated that there might be an increase in employer interest in the Global Talent Stream. This stream offers faster processing for certain in-demand occupations and does not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), making it potentially more attractive to employers looking to quickly fill certain positions. This could also lead to increased usage of PNP streams for applicants who have a difficult time scoring high without the job offer points.

Q: What are some recommendations for candidates given this policy shift?

A: Candidates should focus on enhancing their core CRS factors, especially language proficiency. Using resources like IELTS Advantage and language learning apps like Duolingo can improve language scores. It is also crucial to seek professional guidance from regulated Canadian immigration consultants (RCICs) listed on the CICC website for personalized advice on their individual situations. If you have a valid LMIA, apply before Spring 2025 to maximize your chances under the current system.