Breaking News! IRCC announces the removal of LMIA-based job offer points from the Express Entry system

Highlights: IRCC to remove LMIA-based job offer points from the Express Entry System

• Express Entry candidates having an LMIA-approved job offer will no longer get additional CRS points.
• IRCC has recently announced to discontinue allotting an additional 50 points for LMIA-based job offers.
• The Immigration Minister of Canada announced this change on December 17, 2024.
• The Department is yet to announce the dates from which the update will be applicable.

 

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Comprehensive Ranking System for Express Entry Applicants

 

The Canadian federal government uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score calculator to assess and determine the eligibility of Express Entry candidates. The eligibility of candidates is assessed based on factors like age, education, language proficiency, work experience and arranged employment in any occupation listed under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) in Canada.

 

Applicants with an LMIA-approved employment offer were eligible to get 50 additional points under the CRS system. On December 17, 2024, IRCC announced the removal of the additional points allotted for securing an LMIA-based arranged employment in Canada. This would directly impact the CRS scores for candidates seeking permanent residence (PR) in Canada.

 

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What is LMIA?

 

Foreign workers willing to work in Canada are required to apply for a Temporary Foreign Worker (TFWP) to migrate and work legally. Canadian employers looking to hire foreign workers must have a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) with a positive or neutral result to be eligible to recruit foreign workers in Canada. The new Immigration Levels Plan 2024-2026 targets to issue 82,000 TFWPs in 2025.

 

According to a recent update, the IRCC has stopped processing LMIA for low-wage workers. The salary threshold or high-wage stream has also been increased by 20% for workers recruited via the TFWP. The Canadian government is yet to announce the dates from which the removal of additional points would be implemented. The new policy aims to reduce LMIA fraud while recruiting foreign workers in Canada.

 

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