Canada is overhauling how Express Entry rewards job offers and Canadian work experience.

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On October 16, 2026, Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab announced that on November 3, 2026, the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) will add points for people working, or offered work, in higher-paying occupations.

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At the same time, a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) will no longer be needed for a job offer to qualify.

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What is changing on November 3?

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Two things happen on the same day:

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1. New CRS points for high-wage work. Candidates can earn points through a new category called the Labour Market Integration Factor, based on either a qualifying job offer or eligible Canadian work experience in a high-wage occupation.

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2. No LMIA for qualifying job offers. A qualifying offer can earn the new points, and meet job offer requirements under the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Federal Skilled Trades Program, without an LMIA. IRCC says it will still check that offers are genuine and has added measures against fraud.

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Job offers have carried no CRS points since March 2025, so this is a significant shift for candidates who have had no way to benefit from an offer.

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How many points can you earn?

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Points depend on how an occupation’s wages compare with the Canada-wide median: 1.3 times, 1.5 times, or 2 times.

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Qualifying job offer

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• 1.3× the median wage — up to 50 CRS points

• 1.5× the median wage — up to 70 CRS points

• 2× the median wage — up to 100 CRS points

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Canadian work experience (at least 12 months in a high-wage occupation)

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• 1.3× the median wage — up to 20 CRS points

• 1.5× the median wage — up to 40 CRS points

• 2× the median wage — up to 70 CRS points

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A few important details:

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• A candidate who qualifies on both sides gets whichever amount is higher. The two cannot be added together.

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• Work experience points sit on top of the usual points for years of Canadian experience (up to 80 for five years), so a candidate can reach up to 150 for Canadian work experience.

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• The Labour Market Integration Factor is capped at 150 points for candidates without an accompanying partner and 140 for those with one.

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• Experience generally must be from the past 10 years in a TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupation.

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• A qualifying offer must generally be for full-time, continuous work for at least one year after the candidate becomes a permanent resident. Extra rules apply to skilled trades and certain physicians.

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Which jobs count as high-wage?

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IRCC has published a list of 186 occupations. They are sorted by wage level based on the highest median wage over the past three years, using data from Job Bank, the Labour Force Survey and the Census.

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Examples by tier:

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• 2x median: financial managers, engineering managers, human resources managers, lawyers, nurse practitioners, family physicians

• 1.5x median: software developers, registered nurses, civil engineers, cybersecurity specialists, teachers, pharmacists

• 1.3x median: accountants and auditors, web developers, human resources professionals, industrial electricians, retail and wholesale trade managers

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The occupation is decided by the duties in the job offer, as classified under the National Occupational Classification, not by the job title. Check the full list and your NOC code on our page.

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Once a candidate receives an invitation to apply (ITA), later changes to the list will not affect them. IRCC uses the list in effect on the date the ITA was issued.

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What should candidates in the pool do now?

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• Canadian work experience: Scores for candidates already in the pool will be recalculated automatically, including the new experience points.

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• Job offers: Candidates who want job offer points must add the required job offer details to their profile before November 3 and make sure they are accurate. Reports on IRCC’s instructions say the profile may ask you to indicate a positive LMIA even though none is required, so follow IRCC’s current instructions closely.

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Invitation rounds will pause

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Recalculating scores may take up to two weeks, and Express Entry invitation rounds will be paused during that time. Extra points also do not guarantee an invitation. ITAs still depend on the cut-off score of each round.

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How IRCC will assess job offers

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Dropping the LMIA does not mean offers go unchecked. An officer must be satisfied that:

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• the employer is actively operating the business making the offer

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• the offer reflects reasonable employment needs

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• the employer can meet the terms of the offer

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• the candidate is qualified and likely to accept and carry out the job

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• the employer has followed federal and provincial employment and recruitment laws

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A job offer that is withdrawn no longer qualifies.

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More reforms may be coming

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IRCC has also been consulting on wider Express Entry changes, including merging the three federal programs and adjusting other CRS factors. Those proposals have not been confirmed, and changes that need regulatory amendments would go through the Canada Gazette process first.

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Frequently asked questions

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When do the new Express Entry points start?
November 3, 2026.

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Do I still need an LMIA for a job offer?
No. A qualifying job offer no longer requires an LMIA to earn the new CRS points or to meet job offer requirements under the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

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What is the maximum CRS boost for a job offer?
100 points for an offer in an occupation at 2x the median wage.

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Can I claim both job offer and work experience points?
No. You receive whichever gives you more points.

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Will extra points guarantee an invitation?
No. Invitations depend on each draw’s cut-off score.

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Talk to Le Immigration Group

Not sure whether your job or offer qualifies, or how the new points change your CRS score? Book a consultation with Le Immigration Group before November 3 to review your profile.

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This article is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Rules can change, so confirm details with IRCC or a licensed immigration professional.