Canada is changing how it awards points under Express Entry, with new rules taking effect on November 3, 2026. The changes will introduce additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for eligible Canadian work experience and qualifying job offers in high-wage occupations.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will also remove Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) requirements for qualifying job offers used for Express Entry programme eligibility and CRS points.
For people planning to immigrate to Canada, the changes could affect how candidates are ranked in the Express Entry pool. However, the new rules do not mean that every job offer will earn extra points or that applicants outside Canada will automatically become more competitive.
Here is what the changes mean and what applicants should do before November 3.
What is changing on November 3?
The announced changes introduce a new labour market integration factor into the CRS. Under this factor, candidates may receive points through one of two routes:
- Eligible Canadian work experience, with additional points for experience in qualifying high-wage occupations.
- A qualifying job offer in an eligible high-wage occupation.
Candidates who qualify under both routes will receive whichever option provides more points. They cannot combine the points from Canadian work experience and a qualifying job offer under this new factor.
IRCC will also stop requiring an LMIA for qualifying job offers used to establish Express Entry programme eligibility or obtain CRS points under the new rules.
These changes are scheduled to take effect on November 3, 2026. They are not yet in force as of October 17.
How many additional CRS points can candidates receive?
The number of points depends on the candidate’s qualifying Canadian work experience or the wage level assigned to the occupation associated with a qualifying job offer.
1. Points for Canadian work experience
Candidates with at least 12 months of eligible Canadian work experience in qualifying high-wage occupations may receive additional points.
| Occupational wage level | Additional CRS points |
|---|---|
| At least twice the overall workforce median wage | 70 |
| At least 1.5 times, but less than twice the median wage | 40 |
| At least 1.3 times, but less than 1.5 times the median wage | 20 |
These are additional points for qualifying high-wage experience. Candidates may also receive the existing CRS points for the duration of their eligible Canadian work experience.
For example, a candidate with one year of qualifying Canadian work experience may receive the usual points for that experience and, if the occupation meets the relevant wage threshold, an additional 20, 40 or 70 points.
The candidate must satisfy the applicable requirements for Canadian work experience. Simply having worked in Canada for a year does not automatically qualify someone for the high-wage bonus.
2. Points for a qualifying job offer
Candidates may also receive points for a qualifying job offer in an eligible high-wage occupation.
| Occupational wage level | CRS points for qualifying job offer |
|---|---|
| At least twice the overall workforce median wage | 100 |
| At least 1.5 times, but less than twice the median wage | 70 |
| At least 1.3 times, but less than 1.5 times the median wage | 50 |
| Occupations outside the eligible high-wage levels | 0 under this factor |
A qualifying job offer must satisfy IRCC’s requirements. Generally, it must be for full-time, continuous work in Canada for at least one year after the candidate becomes a permanent resident. Special provisions apply to certain occupations.
An ordinary job offer will not automatically earn points under this new factor. Candidates must check whether the occupation is on IRCC’s eligible high-wage list and whether the offer meets the applicable requirements.
What does IRCC mean by a high-wage occupation?
This is an important distinction.
The classification is based on the median wage of people working in the same occupation across Canada, compared with the overall Canadian workforce median wage. It is not determined simply by whether an individual applicant receives a high salary.
IRCC groups eligible occupations into three levels based on whether the occupational median wage reaches 1.3, 1.5 or twice the overall workforce median.
This means two candidates earning different salaries in the same occupation may be treated alike for this particular classification if their occupation falls into the same eligible wage level.
Applicants should therefore check the official list using their National Occupational Classification (NOC) code rather than assuming that a high personal salary guarantees additional points.
Will the new rules remove the need for an LMIA?
For qualifying job offers used under the specified Express Entry rules, yes.
From November 3, an LMIA will no longer be required for a job offer to qualify for the new CRS points or to meet relevant job-offer requirements under the Federal Skilled Worker Program and Federal Skilled Trades Program, subject to the applicable policy conditions.
However, this change should not be misunderstood as the abolition of LMIAs for every Canadian employment situation.
An LMIA is a labour market assessment used in certain employment and work permit processes. The new policy concerns qualifying job offers used for Express Entry programme eligibility and CRS points.
Other work permit requirements may still apply. Someone who wants to work in Canada temporarily should not assume that the change automatically allows them to obtain a work permit without meeting the relevant rules.
IRCC will also continue checking whether job offers are genuine. Removing the LMIA requirement does not mean that candidates can use fake offers or offers that fail to meet programme requirements.
What happens to existing Express Entry profiles?
IRCC says existing profiles will be recalculated when the new rules take effect.
The process could take up to two weeks. During that period, invitation rounds will be paused and will resume once the recalculation is complete.
This is particularly important for candidates already in the Express Entry pool.
If you have a valid job offer that has not been included in your profile, IRCC advises you to update the profile before November 3. Candidates should ensure that all job-offer information is accurate and supported by the necessary evidence.
The recalculation does not guarantee that every candidate’s score will increase. Some candidates may qualify for additional points, while others may not meet the new criteria.
Candidates should continue monitoring their profiles and official IRCC announcements during the transition.
What does this mean for Nigerian applicants?
The impact will depend on where an applicant is in their immigration journey.
Nigerians already working in Canada
Eligible candidates with qualifying Canadian work experience may benefit from the additional points, particularly if their occupation falls into one of the high-wage levels.
They should check their NOC code, work experience and the official wage-level classification before assuming that they qualify.
Nigerians with a genuine Canadian job offer
Applicants with a qualifying offer may be able to earn points under the new rules without an LMIA for the specified Express Entry purposes.
However, the offer must meet IRCC’s requirements, and the occupation must qualify for the relevant points. A job offer alone does not guarantee an invitation to apply.
Nigerians applying from outside Canada without a job offer
The changes do not provide automatic additional points to every overseas applicant.
Candidates without qualifying Canadian work experience or a qualifying high-wage job offer should continue focusing on the CRS factors that apply to their circumstances, including language results, education, age and qualifying work experience.
They may also investigate suitable Provincial Nominee Programs or category-based Express Entry selection if they meet the relevant requirements.
Should candidates wait until November 3 to create a profile?
Not necessarily.
Candidates who are eligible for Express Entry should not automatically delay their plans because of the upcoming changes. The new rules do not replace the underlying eligibility requirements for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class or Federal Skilled Trades Program.
Those preparing an application can use the time before November 3 to review their eligibility, organise documents and ensure that their profile information is accurate.
If you already have a valid job offer, check whether it is properly recorded in your profile. If you are considering a provincial nomination, review the relevant province’s eligibility criteria rather than assuming that the new federal scoring factor will make every provincial pathway more accessible.
Will these changes make it easier to receive an invitation?
Not for everyone.
Candidates who qualify for the new points may improve their CRS ranking. Others may see little or no change.
Even if your score increases, receiving an Invitation to Apply depends on the type of draw, the eligibility criteria, the number of invitations issued and the scores of other candidates in the pool.
A higher CRS score improves a candidate’s position only in relation to the applicable selection round. It does not guarantee permanent residence.
Applicants should also distinguish between receiving an invitation, submitting a complete application and obtaining final approval.
What should applicants do before November 3?
Before the changes take effect:
- Review your Express Entry profile. Check that your personal information, work history and qualifications are accurate.
- Check your job offer. If you have a valid offer that is not recorded in your profile, follow IRCC’s guidance and update it before November 3.
- Confirm your NOC code. Make sure your occupation reflects your actual duties and responsibilities.
- Check the high-wage occupation list. Do not assume that your personal salary determines your occupation’s classification.
- Keep supporting documents ready. Ensure that your work experience and job offer can be properly documented.
- Monitor IRCC announcements. Existing profiles will be recalculated, and invitation rounds are expected to pause temporarily during the transition.
Final thoughts
Canada’s November 3 Express Entry changes will introduce additional CRS points for qualifying Canadian work experience and job offers in eligible high-wage occupations. They will also remove LMIA requirements for qualifying job offers used for specified Express Entry purposes.
For some candidates, the changes could improve their ranking. For others, the impact may be limited.
The most important step is to assess your own eligibility instead of assuming that every job offer or Canadian work experience record will qualify for extra points.
Worldbridge Immigration can help prospective applicants assess their eligibility for Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs and other Canadian immigration pathways based on their individual circumstances.
