Express Entry Job Offer Points Are Back: Up to 100 CRS Points, No LMIA Needed

On October 16, Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab announced major changes to Canada’s Express Entry system. Eligible workers in 186 higher-paying occupations could receive up to 100 additional CRS points, while the LMIA requirement for qualifying job offers will be removed. Job offer points were eliminated in March 2025, but now it is going to start again on 3rd November 2026. This new system brings the points back, but now they depend on how much your occupation pays, not on extra paperwork from your employer.  

Here is what changed, who benefits, and exactly what to do before the new rules jump in. 

How the Labour Market Integration Factor (LMIF) Works?

The LMIF rewards candidates whose occupation pays well above the Canadian median. IRCC sorts eligible jobs into three wage tiers: 1.3x, 1.5x and 2x the Canada-wide median wage. The higher your tier, the more points you get. 

There are two ways to score. You can earn points through a qualifying job offer or through qualifying Canadian work experience. You don’t get both. IRCC simply applies whichever one gives you more. 

Wage tier	Job offer points	Canadian work experience points
2x median wage	100	70
1.5x median wage	70	40
1.3x median wage	50	20

Job offer route: Points are based on the highest tier your offer qualifies for. 

Work experience route: You need at least 12 months of full-time Canadian experience in a high-wage occupation. That experience can be spread across more than one occupation, and you’re scored on the highest tier where you hit 12 months. 

Quick example: A software engineer (1.5x tier) with a Canadian job offer gets 70 points. The same engineer without an offer, but with a year of Canadian experience in that role, gets 40.  

Which Occupations Qualify?

IRCC has published 186 eligible occupations on its new high-wage occupations page. It means: 

Tier	Points (job offer)	Sample occupations
2x	100	Lawyers, family physicians, nurse practitioners, engineering managers, financial managers, IT managers, HR managers, university professors, veterinarians
1.5x	70	Software engineers, data scientists, cybersecurity specialists, registered nurses, pharmacists, civil and mechanical engineers, teachers, construction managers, marketing and PR managers
1.3x	50	Accountants and auditors, financial advisors, web developers, architects, HR professionals, social workers, industrial electricians, heavy-duty mechanics, retail and wholesale managers

Check the full list on the IRCC page before you plan anything. The list can change over time. 

How IRCC Decides Your Tier?

IRCC looks at the highest median wage recorded for your occupation over the past three years, using data from Job Bank, the Labour Force Survey and the Census. Your actual job duties matter more than your job title. IRCC matches your responsibilities to the appropriate National Occupational Classification (NOC) code to determine your occupation. 

For example, someone with the title “Marketing Manager” who mainly performs coordinator-level tasks may not qualify for the manager-level wage tier. What you actually do at work is what counts. 

LMIA Requirement Under New Rule

Before March 25, 2025, eligible job offers generally needed a positive LMIA or had to qualify for an LMIA exemption to earn CRS points, but now things have changed. Under the new rules, eligible job offers can earn CRS points without an LMIA. The LMIA requirement has been removed for qualifying job offers. These offers can meet eligibility requirements under the FSWP and the FSTP

Important: Check out IRCC’s official instructions carefully when adding your job offer to your profile. Follow the latest guidance to ensure you enter the correct information. 

What Happens to Express Entry Invitations?

IRCC will temporarily stop sending Express Entry invitations while it updates CRS scores for candidates. This process could take up to two weeks after November 3. 

Canadian work experience: If your profile already includes qualifying Canadian work experience, IRCC will add the new points automatically. 

Job offers: If you qualify for job offer points, you will need to update your Express Entry profile yourself. 

Already received an ITA? If you have already received an Invitation to Apply (ITA), your application will be assessed using the occupation list that is applied when you received your invitation. Later, changes to the list will not affect you. 

What You Should Do Right Now?

1. Find your NOC code. Match your real job duties to the correct NOC, then check if it is on IRCC’s high-wage list.
2. Work out your tier. Note whether you fall under 1.3x, 1.5x or 2x, and estimate your new CRS score.
3. Talk to your employer. If you work in Canada, ask for a written job offer if you qualify.
4. Update your Express Entry profile. Add the job offer following IRCC’s instructions. Work experience points apply on their own.
5. Check your experience records. Make sure reference letters clearly list duties, hours and dates that support your NOC.
6. Expect a short gap in draws. Use the pause to get your profile in order, not to panic.
7. Get professional advice. NOC mismatches are one of the most common reasons for refusals. A quick review can save months.

Conclusion

Canada’s new Express Entry rules focus more on workers in higher-paying occupations and those with Canadian work experience. If your occupation qualifies, you may be able to earn extra CRS points without needing an LMIA. 

Book a free consultation with CWC Immigration to check your NOC, review your CRS score, and find out which steps could strengthen your Express Entry profile.