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Express Entry is Canada’s primary pathway for economic immigration. It’s a points-based system utilizing the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to evaluate candidates based on factors including age, education, work experience, and language ability in English and/or French, also known as core or human capital factors. Applicants can also receive additional points for provincial nominations and, until recently, for certain job offers.
Until March 2025, candidates with valid LMIA-backed or LMIA-exempt job offers could receive 200 CRS points for senior management jobs and 50 CRS points for other skilled jobs. A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document issued by the Canadian government that confirms an employer can hire a foreign worker because no suitable Canadian worker or Permanent Resident is available to fill the job. If you are interested in learning more about the LMIA process, check out the Certificate in the Labour Market Impact Assessment.
Candidates who score above a certain threshold receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Permanent Residence during regular draws. As these additional points greatly increase a person’s likelihood of obtaining an ITA, they can be pivotal in deciding whether one becomes a Permanent Resident. This has historically created a significant incentive to gain these points, whether through legitimate means or otherwise.
As of March 25, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially removed LMIA bonus points from the Express Entry system. While LMIAs themselves still exist, this change means that all current and future candidates in the Express Entry pool who have not yet obtained an ITA will no longer receive extra CRS points for job offers. However, candidates who have already secured an ITA or submitted their Permanent Residence applications before March 25, 2025, will not be affected.
The primary reason for this policy shift is to reduce fraud within the Canadian immigration system and restore its integrity. IRCC identified that the incentive of additional CRS points for job offers led to a rise in LMIA abuse, including the illegal buying and selling of LMIAs for $30,000 or more. These job offers were often fraudulent, low in quality, and used to boost an individual’s CRS score. Ultimately, this inflated CRS scores, increased cutoff scores and created an unfair environment for many highly skilled candidates without valid job offers. Therefore, those with sufficient funds and a willingness to violate the rules gained an advantage.
Additionally, the government recognized that over-reliance on job offers undermined Express Entry’s integrity and fairness. The new changes aim to level the playing field and prioritize genuinely skilled candidates who are needed in the Canadian labour market based on human capital factors instead of employer endorsements or fraudulent paperwork.
Current issues, such as the recent rapid increase in temporary residents, a tight housing market, insufficient infrastructure, and dwindling public support for such high immigration numbers, have put the government under pressure to make significant changes. The goal is to build a more sustainable immigration system and eliminate fraud, which will benefit newcomers and Canadians alike. Credibility restoration is not only needed regarding LMIAs, but the government has also cracked down on fraud in international education, the asylum process, and general document submission.
Depending on their situation, candidates may benefit from or be negatively impacted by the removal of LMIA bonus points. While highly-skilled candidates with strong human capital who are missing a job offer emerge as the winners, anyone previously relying on bonus LMIA points has seen their scores drop substantially, making their profiles less competitive. This shift has led to a notable decrease in the CRS cut-off scores for recent draws. Analysts predict that cut-off scores could drop below 500 as early as late spring or early summer 2025, depending on draw sizes and pool composition.
There are several steps candidates can take to remain competitive in the Express Entry pool and significantly boost their CRS score. These include improving language test scores such as IELTS, CELPIP, and TEF, gaining additional skilled work experience, pursuing further education, or obtaining Educational Credential Assessments (ECAs) for existing qualifications. Additionally, being nominated through Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) can pay off immensely by adding an additional 600 CRS points, effectively guaranteeing an ITA.
This latest change signals more than just a policy tweak, but reflects a broader recalibration of Canada’s immigration strategy. By removing job offer points, the government is shifting the focus back to human capital, long-term economic contribution, and systemic fairness. While some candidates may lose a competitive edge, the new direction invites applicants to invest in more durable, merit-based qualifications. In a system under pressure, adaptability and authenticity are now the most valuable assets.
The information contained in this post is considered true and accurate as of the publication date. However, the accuracy of this information may be impacted by changes in circumstances that occur after the time of publication. Ashton College assumes no liability for any error or omissions in the information contained in this post or any other post in our blog.
