IRCC to Remove CRS Points for Job Offers from Express Entry in Spring 2025: What It Means for Future Applicants

IRCC to Remove CRS Points for Job Offers from Express Entry in Spring 2025: A New Era of Immigration Policy in Canada

Canada has long been recognized for its open immigration policies, making it a prime destination for skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and students from around the world. The Express Entry system, introduced in 2015, has played a pivotal role in streamlining Canada’s immigration processes, ensuring that skilled workers can make a significant contribution to the Canadian economy. However, recent announcements by the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) suggest a significant change on the horizon: the removal of Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for job offers in the Express Entry system, set to take effect in the spring of 2025.

This move marks a shift in Canada’s approach to skilled immigration. By reducing the emphasis on job offers as a factor in the CRS, the Canadian government aims to promote broader access to permanent residency, ensuring that more individuals with high potential can contribute to the country’s growing need for talent. But what does this change mean for the current and future candidates in the Express Entry pool? How will it impact the broader Canadian labor market, and what other factors will now determine eligibility for immigration?

In this article, we’ll explore the rationale behind this policy change, its implications on Canada’s immigration landscape, and how it could shape the future of Express Entry. Whether you are an applicant considering a move to Canada, an employer in Canada, or an immigration consultant, understanding the changes to the Express Entry CRS system is vital.

Understanding the Current Express Entry CRS System

Before diving into the upcoming changes, let’s revisit how the Express Entry system works and how CRS points are awarded. The CRS is a point-based system used to assess candidates for permanent residency through the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class under Express Entry. It evaluates candidates based on factors such as:

Age: Younger applicants tend to score higher as they are viewed as contributing more years to the workforce.
Education: Higher levels of education earn candidates more points, with those holding Canadian qualifications or foreign degrees with Canadian equivalency receiving more consideration.
Language Proficiency: Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in one or both of Canada’s official languages (English or French), with higher scores for those passing language tests like IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF.
Work Experience: Relevant work experience, particularly Canadian experience, contributes a significant number of points.
Job Offer: Currently, having a valid job offer from a Canadian employer boosts a candidate’s CRS score significantly.
Spouse or Common-Law Partner Factors: If applicable, a spouse or partner’s qualifications and language skills also contribute to the total CRS score.

In this context, job offers have traditionally been one of the most valuable factors in the CRS system. Candidates who received a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)-approved job offer or were offered a position in a National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill type 0, A, or B could earn up to 200 additional CRS points.

While this was an advantage for candidates with a job offer, it also created challenges. Job offers were often difficult to obtain for candidates who did not already have a network or the ability to secure work in Canada. As a result, applicants who lacked a job offer often found themselves at a disadvantage, regardless of their other qualifications.

The Proposed Changes: What Does the IRCC’s Decision Mean?

The Canadian government has recognized that the existing Express Entry system, which heavily rewarded job offers, was inherently limited. Many highly skilled candidates, especially those from outside Canada, struggled to gain a foothold in the labor market. They faced significant barriers in obtaining Canadian job offers due to geographic distance, lack of local networks, or the inability of employers to navigate the complexities of securing an LMIA.

In response to these challenges and in an effort to create a more inclusive and equitable system, the IRCC has announced that starting in spring 2025, CRS points for job offers will be removed from the Express Entry system. This groundbreaking policy shift aims to level the playing field and open up opportunities for a wider pool of highly skilled and educated workers to immigrate to Canada.

What Will Replace Job Offer Points in the CRS?

While the removal of job offer points may initially seem like a significant change, the Canadian government has also outlined new ways to assess applicants. As of spring 2025, the CRS will place greater emphasis on factors such as:

Skillset and Qualifications: Canada continues to prioritize high-skilled workers, and more emphasis will be placed on educational qualifications, specialized skills, and work experience across various sectors. Candidates who meet specific high-demand occupations or possess skills critical to Canada’s economic priorities, such as technology, healthcare, or engineering, will continue to rank highly in the pool.
Human Capital and Labor Market Needs: The IRCC has stressed the importance of aligning immigration policies with Canada’s evolving labor market needs. As a result, applicants will be assessed based on their ability to integrate into Canada’s labor market, with more weight placed on their qualifications, work experience, and adaptability rather than whether they have already secured a job offer.
Regional and Provincial Needs: Canada’s immigration policy has always been flexible, allowing for regional variations. As part of the new CRS adjustments, there may be increased focus on Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), which allow provinces to nominate candidates based on local labor market needs. In this new approach, candidates with qualifications aligned with specific provincial demands may receive extra points or increased chances of selection in the Express Entry pool.
Fostering Diversity and Inclusion: The new CRS will also focus on attracting individuals from diverse backgrounds and regions, creating opportunities for candidates who may have been overlooked previously. This shift in priorities will encourage a broader range of applicants to consider Express Entry as a viable immigration pathway.

Impact on Canadian Employers

One of the most significant consequences of removing CRS points for job offers is the impact on Canadian employers who have traditionally relied on the LMIA system to hire skilled foreign workers. With the job offer incentive no longer factoring into Express Entry scores, employers may need to rethink how they attract and hire skilled workers from abroad.

However, this does not mean that employers will no longer be able to hire foreign workers. Rather, it creates a more competitive landscape where the focus shifts from offering a job to identifying and hiring the best candidates based on their skills and experience. As a result, employers will need to adjust their hiring practices, ensuring that they understand the new CRS system and the factors that will influence candidates’ chances of selection.

Employers in sectors facing labor shortages, particularly in technology, healthcare, and construction, may find it easier to access skilled workers who previously struggled to obtain a job offer or a visa. It may also encourage more candidates to consider working in Canada temporarily before applying for permanent residency through post-graduation work permits or other pathways.

Benefits of Removing Job Offer Points for Express Entry Candidates

The removal of job offer points promises several advantages:

Increased Fairness: By eliminating the bias towards candidates with job offers, the new system will open doors for highly qualified applicants who may have previously been at a disadvantage. Candidates without a job offer but with strong qualifications in in-demand fields, such as information technology, healthcare, and engineering, will now have a better chance of being selected.
More Diverse Immigrant Pool: The new system promotes a more diverse immigrant population, encouraging individuals from different countries and backgrounds to apply. This change aligns with Canada’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, allowing for a broader range of skilled workers to contribute to the country’s economy.
Encourages Economic Mobility: The new CRS model encourages economic mobility, allowing immigrants to choose where they want to live and work without being tied to a specific employer or job offer. This could lead to greater retention of skilled workers, as they would have the freedom to explore different job opportunities and sectors once they settle in Canada.
Reduces Dependence on LMIAs: As Canadian employers often face difficulties in securing LMIAs, the removal of job offer points will simplify the process. Employers can continue hiring workers based on labor needs, but applicants will no longer need to depend on an LMIA to increase their CRS score.

The Future of Express Entry: What Comes Next?

As Canada prepares to remove CRS points for job offers, the focus of immigration policy will shift towards attracting a wider range of talent that fits the evolving needs of the economy. With a more balanced and inclusive approach, Canada aims to ensure that the best candidates—regardless of whether they have a job offer—can contribute to the country’s growth and prosperity.

This shift in policy also opens up discussions about future adjustments to the Express Entry system. Candidates may see further adjustments in the selection criteria, and the IRCC could introduce new pathways for applicants who have skills in emerging industries like green technology, artificial intelligence, or digital health.

As we look toward spring 2025, it is clear that Canada’s immigration system is evolving. The removal of CRS points for job offers is just one of many changes that will shape the future of Canadian immigration, offering new opportunities for talented individuals from across the globe.