Canada removes bonus CRS points for arranged employment from Express Entry

Canada’s immigration landscape is experiencing significant changes once again. One of the latest outcomes is removing bonus Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for points for having a valid job proposal, including recommendations supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). The change took place in the Ministerial Instructions effective March 25, 2025, and impacted thousands of prospects who depend on job offers to boost their CRS scores and improve their chances of getting permanent residence (PR) in Canada.

On their CRS webpage, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) notes that “it may take a few days” for prospects’ new scores to display correctly, and requests that involved prospects not get them unless their score remains incorrect for over a week.

A valid job offer will still be appropriate for eligibility criteria for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and for some Provincial Nominee Program streams.

How will this change impact Express Entry candidates?

Candidates Who Relied on a Job Offer:- Those who depended on arranged employment to increase their CRS scores will now need to compete based solely on their core human capital aspects. This means that people with valid job offers will have a decreased chance of receiving ITAs through Express Entry.

On the other hand, candidates who do not have a valid job offer can expect to see their chances of receiving an ITA increase, because while their CRS scores will stay the same, the scores of other prospects in the pool will have decreased.

Employers Seeking Foreign Workers:- Employers who once supported Express Entry applicants through arranged profession may now require to explore other immigration prospects, such as the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) or TFWP.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Applicants:- Candidates who receive provincial nominations will still profit from additional CRS points, making PNPs a more attractive choice than ever.

How does Canada’s Comprehensive Ranking System work?

CRS is a points-based system that considers eligible candidates and indexes them in the Express Entry pool.

Because Express Entry is especially competitive, additional CRS points, such as those earlier granted for a valid job offer, can often spell the difference between obtaining PR, or not being able to immigrate to Canada. Express Entry is Canada’s primary system for managing applications for three major economic immigration schedules:

• The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP);
• The Canadian Experience Class (CEC); or
• The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).

Candidates are allocated a score out of 1200 based on a variety of aspects, including

Age;

Education;

Language proficiency; and

Work experience.

Other factors through which candidates can score additional points include

French language skills;

Post-secondary education in Canada;

Having a sibling living in Canada as a Canadian citizen or permanent resident; and

Having a provincial or territorial nomination.

The government holds frequent draws, and the highest-ranking prospects are invited to apply for PR.

Final Thoughts:-

The removal of bonus CRS points for arranged employment in Express Entry marks a considerable shift in Canada’s immigration system. While this change may pose challenges for some candidates, it also constructs opportunities for those with strong human capital characteristics to secure PR based on merit.

Prospective immigrants should adjust to these changes by focusing on improving their CRS scores through education, language proficiency, and work knowledge. Additionally, considering alternative ways such as PNPs or employer-driven immigration programs can improve their chances of success.

For the latest updates and expert guidance on Express Entry and other Canadian immigration ways, consult a certified immigration consultant or visit the official Idea Immigration website.