Express Entry Update: No CRS Points for Job Offers from March 25, 2025
As of March 25, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has made a significant change to its Express Entry immigration system: Candidates will no longer receive additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for having a valid job offer.
What Changed?
Previously, Express Entry candidates could earn extra points for arranged employment:
- 200 points for senior management positions (Major Group 00 of the National Occupation Classification).
- 50 points for other skilled occupations.
These additional points often boosted candidates’ rankings, increasing their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. However, with the new policy, these bonus points have been removed.
Why the Change?
The primary reason for this adjustment is to reduce fraud within the immigration process. There have been instances where candidates engaged in illegal activities, such as purchasing fraudulent Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs), to obtain job offers and gain extra CRS points. By eliminating the incentive of additional points for job offers, IRCC aims to strengthen the integrity of Canada’s immigration system.
Who Is Affected?
- Current Candidates: If you’re in the Express Entry pool and previously had points for a job offer, your CRS score will decrease accordingly. IRCC notes that it may take a few days for scores to update; if your score hasn’t adjusted after a week, you should contact them.
- Future Applicants: New candidates will no longer be able to claim additional points for job offers.
- Candidates with ITAs or Ongoing Applications: If you’ve already received an ITA or submitted your permanent residence application before March 25, 2025, this change does not affect you.
What Remains Unchanged?
While job offers no longer provide extra CRS points, they still play a crucial role in determining eligibility for certain programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): A valid job offer can help meet the program’s minimum requirements.
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): A job offer remains a key eligibility criterion.
- Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Some streams may still require or favor candidates with job offers.
Candidates should continue to include job offer details in their Express Entry profiles to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria for these programs.
Strategies to Enhance Your CRS Score
With the removal of job offer points, consider focusing on other areas to improve your CRS score:
- Language Proficiency: Achieve higher scores in English or French language tests.
- Education: Pursue additional qualifications or obtain Canadian educational credentials.
- Work Experience: Gain more skilled work experience, particularly within Canada.
- Provincial Nomination: Explore PNPs, as a nomination can add 600 points to your CRS score.
- Spousal Factors: If applicable, your spouse’s education and language skills can contribute additional points.
Conclusion
The removal of additional CRS points for job offers marks a significant shift in Canada’s Express Entry system, aiming to create a fairer and more transparent process. Candidates should adapt their strategies to focus on other factors that enhance their CRS scores and stay informed about any further changes to immigration policies. Contact Asif Consulting for further information.
