Major Express Entry Changes

The main changes include:

• Additional CRS points for eligible Canadian work experience in high-wage occupations.
• New CRS points for qualifying job offers in high-wage occupations.
• Changes to LMIA requirements for qualifying job offers.
• Automatic CRS score recalculation for candidates already in the Express Entry pool.
• A temporary pause in invitation rounds while IRCC recalculates scores.

The changes aim to help Canada attract and retain skilled workers who can contribute to its economy and labor market.

Official source: IRCC announcement on Express Entry changes.

1. New CRS Points for High-Wage Occupations

Starting November 3, 2026, eligible candidates may receive additional CRS points through a new labor market integration factor.

Candidates may qualify through either eligible Canadian work experience or a qualifying job offer in a high-wage occupation. The number of points depends on the applicable requirements and the candidate’s circumstances.

Points for Canadian work experience

Candidates with at least 12 months of eligible Canadian work experience in a qualifying high-wage occupation may receive additional points based on the occupation’s wage level.

The additional points are:

• 70 points: At least 12 months in one or more occupations at twice or more the Canadian workforce median wage.
• 40 points: At least 12 months combined in occupations at 1.5 times or more the median wage, where the 70-point level does not apply.
• 20 points: At least 12 months combined across eligible high-wage occupations at 1.3 times or more the median wage, where the higher levels do not apply.

These points are added to the CRS points already available for eligible Canadian work experience, subject to the applicable limits.

Points for qualifying job offers

Candidates with a qualifying job offer in a high-wage occupation may receive:

• 100 CRS points if the occupation’s median wage is at least twice the Canadian workforce median.
• 70 CRS points if it is at least 1.5 times the median.
• 50 CRS points if it is at least 1.3 times the median.

Candidates who qualify through both Canadian work experience and a qualifying job offer will receive whichever option provides more points under this factor. The points from the two options cannot be combined.

The maximum available under this factor is 150 points for candidates without an accompanying spouse or common-law partner and 140 points for candidates with an accompanying spouse or common-law partner.

Read IRCC’s official backgrounder on the new CRS points for the complete details.

2. Which Occupations May Qualify for Additional Points?

IRCC has identified eligible high-wage occupations across several sectors, including health care, skilled trades, engineering, technology and education.

However, working in one of these industries does not automatically make a candidate eligible for additional CRS points.

IRCC determines eligibility using the occupation’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) code and Canadian wage data. The classification is based on the typical median wage for an occupation across Canada, not an individual’s personal salary.

For example, two people working in the same industry may have different eligibility outcomes depending on their occupation and the applicable NOC code.

Candidates should review the official high-wage occupations list and assessment criteria to determine whether their occupation qualifies.

3. Changes to LMIA Requirements for Job Offers

An important part of the November 2026 changes concerns Labor Market Impact Assessments.

An LMIA is a document that an employer may need to obtain to demonstrate that hiring a foreign worker is justified under Canada’s temporary foreign worker rules.

Starting November 3, 2026, an LMIA will no longer be required for a qualifying job offer to receive the new Express Entry points.

IRCC will also introduce a temporary public policy that exempts eligible candidates invited to apply on or after November 3 from LMIA and LMIA-exemption requirements for qualifying job offers used to establish eligibility under the Federal Skilled Worker Program and Federal Skilled Trades Program, provided the conditions of that policy are met.

This does not mean every Canadian job offer will qualify for Express Entry points or satisfy program requirements.

IRCC will continue assessing whether job offers are genuine, whether employers can meet the terms of the offer and whether candidates are qualified to perform the work. Fraud prevention and compliance checks will remain in place.

For the full conditions, consult the official IRCC backgrounder.

4. What Happens to Existing Express Entry Profiles?

Candidates already in the Express Entry pool will have their CRS scores automatically recalculated under the new points system.

However, candidates who want to receive points for a qualifying job offer must review and update their profiles with the required information before November 3, 2026.

IRCC has advised that the recalculation process may take up to two weeks. Invitation rounds will be paused during this period.

If you already have an Express Entry profile, consider reviewing your employment details, occupation classification and job offer information before the changes take effect.

Make sure the information you provide is accurate and supported by the appropriate documents.

5. What Should Future Applicants Do?

If you are planning to apply for Canadian permanent residence through Express Entry, the upcoming changes are an opportunity to review your immigration options.

Consider the following steps:

Review your CRS score. Check how your age, education, language proficiency, work experience and other applicable factors contribute to your current score.

Check your occupation and NOC code. Confirm that your work experience matches the duties and requirements of the occupation you are claiming.

Review your Canadian work experience. Determine whether your experience meets the applicable requirements and whether your occupation appears on IRCC’s high-wage occupations list.

Assess your job offer. If you have a Canadian job offer, check whether it meets the requirements for the new points and any relevant federal program.

Keep your documents updated. Maintain accurate employment records, reference letters, language test results and education documents.

Explore other immigration pathways. Depending on your qualifications and circumstances, a Provincial Nominee Program or another immigration pathway may also be worth considering.

You can read Adapt Immigration’s Express Entry Canada: Complete 2026 Guide to learn more about the system, its federal programs and the factors that can affect your CRS score.

Remember that receiving additional CRS points does not guarantee an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Invitations continue to depend on the requirements and CRS cut-off score for each invitation round.

6. How Can Adapt Immigration Help?

Understanding immigration policy changes can be challenging, particularly when eligibility depends on your occupation, work experience, job offer and other personal circumstances.

Adapt Immigration can help you review your profile, understand the applicable requirements and explore potential pathways to Canadian permanent residence.

An assessment may help you understand:

• Which Express Entry program may suit your background.
• How your current CRS score is calculated.
• Whether your occupation and work experience may qualify for the new points.
• Whether a qualifying job offer could affect your CRS score.
• Which other immigration pathways may be worth exploring.

Every immigration case is different. An assessment can help clarify your options, but it cannot guarantee an invitation or approval.

Visit Adapt Immigration’s Express Entry services page to learn more about available support.

You can also contact Adapt Immigration to discuss your circumstances and potential next steps.