LMIA Job Offers No Longer Provide Points for Express Entry: What This Means for Immigrants to Canada

In a significant shift in Canada’s immigration policy, the government has announced that job offers supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) will no longer contribute points toward a candidate’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score in the Express Entry system. This change has sparked debate among potential immigrants, employers, and immigration consultants alike, as it may dramatically affect the way foreign workers approach the Express Entry pool.

What Is an LMIA Job Offer?

For those unfamiliar with the term, an LMIA is a document issued by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) that confirms a Canadian employer is unable to find a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to fill a particular job position. An LMIA-approved job offer has long been considered a valuable asset for Express Entry candidates, especially for those seeking to gain additional points to boost their CRS score.

In the Express Entry system, applicants are ranked based on their CRS score, which takes into account factors like age, education, work experience, and language proficiency. Until now, candidates who had a valid, LMIA-supported job offer could receive up to 50 or 200 additional points, depending on the type of position. However, as of the recent policy updates, starting in Spring 2025, job offers supported by an LMIA will no longer provide these valuable points in the CRS system.

Why the Change?

The Canadian government’s decision to remove LMIA job offers from the CRS point system appears to be a move aimed at further prioritizing candidates who possess skills and experience that align directly with the country’s labor market needs. With the goal of attracting talent that can quickly integrate into the workforce without the need for a formal job offer, the change is in line with Canada’s broader immigration strategy of ensuring that newcomers contribute effectively to the Canadian economy. Speculation also suggests that it is in response to the news that unscrupulous employers across the country have been charging clients astronomical fees to provide them with an LMIA - a practice that is completely illegal.

How Does This Affect Potential Immigrants?

For Express Entry candidates, this policy change means that having an LMIA-supported job offer will no longer be a guaranteed way to gain extra points and improve their rank in the pool. This could be a severe blow to those who were counting on a job offer as a critical piece of their immigration strategy.

What Are the Alternatives?

• Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): One of the biggest alternatives to the LMIA points is securing a provincial nomination. Candidates nominated by a province or territory can receive an additional 600 points toward their CRS score, almost guaranteeing an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence.

• Skill and Experience-Focused Streams: With this change, it’s now more important than ever for candidates to ensure that their skills and work experience align with Canada’s labor market needs. Those with in-demand skills, especially in fields like healthcare, technology, and trades, may still see success in the Express Entry pool even without the added advantage of an LMIA job offer.

• Focusing on Language and Education: Boosting scores in areas like language proficiency (through IELTS or TEF exams) and education (obtaining a Canadian credential or getting an Educational Credential Assessment for foreign education) can also improve points and chances of success in the Express Entry pool.

What Does This Mean for Employers?

For Canadian employers, the removal of LMIA job offer points presents both challenges and opportunities. While companies will no longer be able to offer LMIA-supported job offers as a way to boost an employee’s immigration application, they can still benefit from hiring foreign talent through other pathways. Essentially, employers will still be able to request an LMIA to hire a foreign worker for positions where no Canadian workers are available, though it will no longer directly benefit the worker’s CRS score.

Conclusion

For those looking to immigrate to Canada, the removal of LMIA-supported job offers from the Express Entry CRS system signals a shift toward a more skills-based immigration system. It’s now more important than ever to hone skills, increase education, and pursue alternatives like Provincial Nominee Programs and improving language abilities to increase your chances of success in the Express Entry system.

As always, staying informed about the latest immigration policies, staying flexible and willing to adapt your approach will be key to achieving your goal of becoming a permanent resident of Canada.

How do you feel about this change to the Express Entry system? Will it impact your plans to immigrate to Canada?