From November 3, skilled workers in high-paying occupations could receive additional Express Entry points for eligible Canadian work experience or qualifying job offers, while the removal of the LMIA requirement is set to simplify the process
Canada’s revised immigration rules are expected to improve the permanent residency prospects of skilled Indian professionals already working in the country, with greater weight being given to Canadian work experience and job offers in high-wage occupations.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the changes on October 16, with the new provisions scheduled to take effect on November 3. The revised system will particularly benefit eligible professionals in technology, healthcare, engineering, education and skilled trades. Indians form one of the largest groups of candidates seeking Canadian permanent residency through the Express Entry system.
Under the new rules, eligible candidates could receive up to 70 additional points for qualifying Canadian work experience in high-wage occupations. Those with qualifying job offers in such occupations could receive up to 100 additional points.
Candidates will receive the higher of the two additional scores, rather than combining points for both work experience and a job offer.
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The bonus for work experience will depend on the wage level associated with the occupation
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Candidates generally need at least 12 months, or 1,560 hours, of qualifying experience to become eligible for the additional points
An occupation will be classified as high-wage if its national median wage is at least 1.3 times the median wage across Canada’s workforce. Eligible fields include technology, healthcare, engineering, education and skilled trades.
Labour market assessment requirement removed
A significant change is the removal of the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) requirement for qualifying job offers to earn points under Express Entry. The document is generally used to demonstrate that employing a foreign worker will not adversely affect Canada’s labour market.
From November 3, eligible job offers will no longer require an LMIA to qualify for the new points or to meet certain requirements under the Federal Skilled Worker Program and Federal Skilled Trades Program. However, not every job offer will attract additional points, and immigration officials will continue to verify that offers are genuine.
Existing applicants also affected
Candidates already registered in the Express Entry pool will have their Comprehensive Ranking System scores recalculated under the revised rules. The process could take up to two weeks, during which invitation rounds are expected to be paused.
Applicants seeking points for qualifying job offers should ensure that their profiles contain the necessary information before November 3.
The changes reflect Canada’s shift towards a more targeted immigration system that prioritises skilled workers who can meet labour market needs. While Indian professionals with Canadian experience or eligible high-wage job offers could gain an advantage, applicants without either may face stiffer competition for permanent residency.
