Express Entry Job Offer Points Removed: Time to Rethink Your Immigration Strategy

March 25, 2025 – In a major policy shift, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced a significant update to the Express Entry system. Moving forward, candidates will no longer receive CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) points for having a valid job offer from a Canadian employer. This change could drastically alter the immigration journey for many aspiring permanent residents and may prompt a re-evaluation of current immigration strategies.

What Changed?

Until now, Express Entry candidates could receive:

• 50 CRS points for a valid job offer in a skilled occupation (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3)

• 200 CRS points for a job offer in senior managerial positions (NOC 00 group)

These points often made the difference between receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) and missing the cut. For instance, a candidate with 500 base points could jump to a competitive 550+ with a valid job offer—significantly increasing their chances of receiving an ITA.

However, as of this new update, those additional CRS points for job offers are no longer available. Although IRCC labeled the change “temporary,” no timeline or commitment has been provided for reintroducing the policy, leaving many to believe this could signal a long-term strategic pivot.

Who’s Affected?

Candidates who previously relied on job offers to boost their CRS scores will likely face a major drop in rankings, particularly those in the NOC 00 category, who could lose up to 200 points. This might push many applicants down to the high-300s or low-400s, well below recent draw thresholds.

The good news? Those who have already received an ITA or have submitted their permanent residence application will not be affected—their points will remain valid under the previous rules.

What Does This Mean for Future Applicants?

While job offers may no longer carry CRS weight in Express Entry, they still matter:

• They’re mandatory for the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).

• They can enhance eligibility or selection under Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and certain Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).

• IRCC still encourages applicants to include valid job offers in their Express Entry profiles, which may be relevant in future category-based draws or for provincial alignment.

In other words, job offers are not useless—but they’re no longer a shortcut to higher CRS scores.

Why Was This Change Made?

Experts suggest this move aims to protect the integrity of the system. In recent years, there have been concerns over fraudulent or superficial job offers and LMIA abuses, where applicants artificially inflated their CRS scores. Critics also argued that the point boost created an unfair advantage, straying from Express Entry’s core mission: to select immigrants based on human capital—language ability, education, work experience, and adaptability.

What Should You Do Now?

With job offer points off the table (for now), candidates will need to shift their focus toward strengthening other parts of their profile:

• Improve language scores (IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, etc.)

• Gain Canadian education or work experience

• Enhance your spouse’s profile (language, education, work experience)

• Target PNPs, which can still provide a massive 600-point CRS boost

It’s also important to stay informed and adaptable, especially as IRCC continues to lean into category-based draws and evolving selection priorities.

This new policy signals a clear shift in Canada’s immigration strategy—favoring applicants with strong personal qualifications over those relying on job offers alone. While it may pose challenges, it also opens the door for highly skilled, language-proficient, and adaptable candidates to shine.

Now is the time to reassess your immigration plan. With the right preparation and strategy, you can still stand out in the Express Entry pool—and make your dream of Canadian permanent residence a reality. Book a consultation.

Express Entry Job Offer Points Removed: Time to Rethink Your Immigration Strategy