If you’re an Express Entry candidate hoping to immigrate to Canada, there’s a major update you need to know about. As of March 25, 2025, candidates will no longer receive extra Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for having a valid job offer—including those supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
This change is temporary, but Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) hasn’t specified how long it will last.
Before this update, candidates with a valid job offer could earn 50 or 200 extra CRS points, significantly boosting their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency (PR).
Now, those points are gone. If you had a job offer before, your CRS score just dropped—meaning you might fall behind other candidates in the Express Entry pool.
Example:
Simon had 540 CRS points (including 50 points for a job offer).
Mala had 500 CRS points (no job offer).
After the change:
Simon’s new score: 490
Mala’s score stays at 500
If the next Express Entry draw has a cutoff of 495, Mala gets an ITA—Simon doesn’t.
All Express Entry candidates who previously had points for a job offer (their scores will decrease).
Candidates without job offers (their chances of receiving an ITA may improve since others’ scores dropped).
Physicians (a special rule allowing short-term job offers from government/healthcare employers has been removed).
Good news? If you already have an ITA or a PR application in progress, this change doesn’t affect you.
In December 2024, former Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced this change to crack down on fraud. Some candidates were illegally purchasing LMIAs to boost their scores.
IRCC says this move will strengthen Canada’s immigration system and reduce exploitation.
Recalculate your CRS score .
Explore other ways to boost your score, such as:
Improving your language test results (IELTS/CELPIP/TEF).
Getting a Provincial Nomination (PNP) (600 extra points!).
Adding French proficiency (bilingual candidates get bonus points).
Studying or working longer in Canada.
Stay updated—IRCC may reintroduce job offer points in the future.
Yes—just not for CRS points. A valid job offer is still required for:
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) eligibility.
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) eligibility.
Some Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams.
This change shakes up Express Entry, making it harder for job offer holders but easier for others. If your score dropped, don’t panic—look for alternative ways to increase your points.
Stay tuned for updates, and check your CRS score regularly—IRCC says it may take a few days for the system to reflect changes.
Need help recalculating your CRS score? Try CanadaVisa’s free tool today!
About CTIVCI
At CTIVCI, we help immigrants navigate Canada’s complex visa processes. Follow us for the latest updates on Express Entry, PNPs, and more!
Struggling with the Latest Express Entry CRS Changes? Let Sanjay Prasher Help!
The 2025 Express Entry CRS changes have left many applicants wondering: "How do I boost my score now that LMIA points are removed and no job offer points are awarded?"
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Latest Canada immigration updates & IRCC new rules
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(This article is for informational purposes only. For official updates, always refer to IRCC’s website).
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