Canadian Express Entry Changes in 2025
What the Removal of CRS Points for Job Offers Means for Skilled Applicants
As of March 25, 2025, Canada’s Express Entry system—long considered the backbone of the country’s economic immigration strategy—is undergoing a significant change. IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) has announced a major policy shift: job offers will no longer contribute CRS points toward a candidate’s Express Entry profile.
For wealthy individuals, skilled professionals, and business leaders seeking Canadian permanent residency through Canada’s primary immigration system, this update marks a crucial turning point. Understanding and adapting to these changes will be key to maintaining a competitive edge in the evolving immigration landscape.
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What’s Changing: CRS Points for Job Offers Removed
Historically, having a valid job offer supported by an LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) or under LMIA-exempt categories could provide up to 50 or 200 CRS points, depending on the position. These points often proved decisive in securing an invitation to apply (ITA) in Express Entry draws.
However, under the Express Entry changes 2025, these points for job offers will be completely removed from the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)—a move intended to modernize the selection process and place greater emphasis on skills, education, and language proficiency rather than employer sponsorship.
This shift is part of broader category-based selection reforms that aim to address labour shortages while ensuring fairness and resilience in the immigration system.
How This Impacts Skilled Worker Applicants
The immediate effect of this policy is a potential drop in CRS scores for many skilled workers, especially those relying on employer-backed job offers as their competitive advantage.
As the CRS score threshold remains high due to intense global demand, candidates must now compete more aggressively in other categories, including:
* Language proficiency
* Canadian work experience
* Educational credentials
* Category-based draws that favor specific occupations or regions
Canada skilled worker immigration 2025 will thus favor those with well-rounded profiles, rather than those solely supported by employment-based endorsements.
This change could also reduce the utility of temporary foreign worker programs for transitioning into PR, particularly for those who previously relied on their work permit to gain additional CRS leverage.
> Employers may need to explore other routes, such as the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), to support their international hires.
Transitional Measures and What You Can Do
To support a smooth transition, IRCC has confirmed a grandfathering clause: applications submitted before March 25, 2025, under the current rules will still be eligible to claim CRS points for job offers.
If you’re in the Express Entry pool or planning to apply soon with an LMIA-backed offer, this is the time to act.
Strategic actions to take now include:
* Improve language test scores to increase CRS points under core human capital
* Explore Provincial Nominee Programs, especially those with aligned category-based draws
* Target the Canadian Experience Class, particularly for those with continuous work experience in Canada
* Consider francophone immigration outside Quebec, which can offer bonus points and prioritized processing
For wealthy applicants, investing in regional PNPs or leveraging a spouse’s credentials may also provide alternative competitive advantages within the Express Entry system in 2025.
Conclusion: A New Era for Express Entry Applicants
The removal of CRS points for job offers represents one of the most significant changes to Canada’s Express Entry system in recent years. While it narrows the advantage previously held by foreign workers with employer backing, it also realigns Canada’s immigration priorities around long-term economic adaptability and self-sufficiency.
If you have a pending application—or are considering entering the Express Entry process—submit your profile before March 25, 2025, to benefit from existing rules. Beyond that, success will rely on maximizing other CRS categories and understanding category-based selection dynamics.
Explore your eligibility today and reposition your application strategy to thrive in Canada’s evolving immigration system.
