The Government of Canada is dedicated to maintaining the integrity of its immigration system while attracting top global talent to contribute to the country’s workforce.To combat fraud and enhance fairness, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, has announced a significant change: Express Entry candidates will no longer receive additional points for having a job offer. This measure, effective in spring 2025, aims to eliminate incentives for the illegal buying or selling of labour market impact assessments (LMIAs), a practice previously used to gain an unfair advantage in the selection process for permanent residency.
The upcoming change will apply to all Express Entry candidates, including those with job offers currently in the pool or entering it after the measure is implemented. However, it will not affect individuals who have already been invited to apply or have an application in progress.
Immigration remains vital to Canada’s economic success and growth. The Express Entry system is key to ensuring that skilled workers meet the needs of critical sectors. These updates reflect Canada’s commitment to a fair, efficient, and transparent immigration system that benefits both newcomers and the country’s economy.
“We are taking important steps to reduce fraud while continuing to attract the skilled talent our economy needs. Immigration has always been a cornerstone of Canada’s success, and we remain committed to welcoming the best and brightest to Canada so that everyone has access to the quality jobs, homes and supports they need to thrive.”
– The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
Key Highlights
- These measures align with Canada’s commitment to building a robust and equitable immigration system, as announced on December 17.
- Express Entry serves as Canada’s primary application management system for individuals seeking permanent residency through programs such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and certain streams of the Provincial Nominee Program.
- In June 2022, amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act enabled the Government of Canada to prioritize the selection of immigrants based on critical attributes that align with economic priorities, such as relevant work experience or proficiency in French. These changes help ensure that immigration policies continue to meet Canada’s evolving economic and social needs.
