October 16, 2026
Express Entry Changes Coming November 3, 2026: New Points for High-Wage Work and Job Offers
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced significant changes to the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which will take effect on November 3, 2026.
Under the new system, candidates may receive additional CRS points for eligible Canadian work experience in a high-wage occupation or for a qualifying job offer in a high-wage occupation. Candidates who qualify under both options will receive points based on whichever provides the higher score; the points cannot be combined.
Canadian work experience: Candidates with at least 12 months of eligible Canadian work experience in a high-wage occupation may receive additional CRS points based on the wage level of their occupation. Additional points may range from 20 to 70 points, depending on the applicable wage level.
Job offers: Qualifying job offers in high-wage occupations may receive 50, 70, or 100 CRS points, depending on the wage level.
LMIA requirement: As of November 3, 2026, an LMIA will no longer be required for a qualifying job offer to receive the new Express Entry points or to meet certain job offer requirements under the Federal Skilled Worker Program and Federal Skilled Trades Program. Job offers will still need to be genuine and meet applicable program requirements.
Existing Express Entry profiles: Candidates already in the Express Entry pool will have their CRS scores automatically recalculated under the new system. The recalculation may take up to two weeks, during which invitation rounds will be paused. Candidates who wish to receive points for a qualifying job offer should update their profiles with the required information before November 3, 2026.
Candidates should review their Express Entry profiles and the updated requirements to understand how these changes may affect their CRS score and eligibility.
Read the full updates here: IRCC – 2026 changes to points for Canadian work experience and job offers in Express Entry
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