Canada has announced major changes to Express Entry, introducing new Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for Canadian work experience and job offers in designated high-wage occupations.
In 2025, the federal government eliminated CRS points for qualifying job offers. Previously, these points generally required employers to demonstrate that they would pay the prevailing wage and that hiring a foreign worker would have a positive or neutral impact on the Canadian labour market. Now, IRCC is bringing back job offer points, but without requiring a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or proof that the employer will pay the prevailing wage.
The changes raise important questions about the government's immigration priorities, the potential for fraud and wage suppression, and whether aapplicants overseas could gain an advantage over temporary residents already working in Canada.
In this episode of Borderlines, Steven Meurrens and Deanna Okun-Nachoff are joined by Kubeir Kamal to explain how the new points system works, who stands to benefit, and what the changes could mean for Canadian workers, international graduates, and prospective immigrants both inside and outside Canada.
Timestamps
01:07 – Minister Diab hints at increasing immigration levels
06:20 – The new Express Entry Labour Market Integration points
12:06 – Kubeir joins to clarify the new rules
15:02 – Job offers without LMIAs: what will IRCC verify?
17:00 – Does removing LMIA requirements increase fraud risks?
18:26 – How to update Express Entry profiles using IRCC's LMIA instructions
19:57 – Could the changes suppress Canadian wages?
21:21 – Why applicants overseas could gain an advantage
26:30 – Why choosing the correct NOC code matters more than ever
29:11 – Predictions for Express Entry CRS cutoffs
32:19 – Are Canadian workers and international graduates being disadvantaged?
44:14 – Viewer questions: Will French-language bonus points disappear?
45:40 – Will IRCC eliminate spousal CRS points?
47:23 – Could Express Entry cutoffs reach 540, 560 or higher?
48:46 – Why permanent residence may become easier than extending a work permit
53:28 – Employer documentation and procedural fairness concerns1:02:59 – Who will be hurt most by the new CRS system?
1:04:15 – Is learning French still the best strategy?
1:05:34 – Predictions for Canada's next Immigration Levels Plan
1:07:00 – Future Express Entry categories, including H-1B workers
1:08:41 – Can IRCC handle verifying job offers without Service Canada?
1:09:56 – Will these changes increase permanent residence processing times?
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