LMIA Job Offer Points No Longer Count in CRS
No More Bonus Points for LMIA Job Offers
Canada has announced a major shift that will directly impact Express Entry candidates. The government will soon remove the extra CRS points for LMIA-based job offers, changing the way applicants plan their path to permanent residency. Immigration Minister Marc Miller shared this update on December 17, marking a significant policy change.
Why LMIA Points Mattered Until Now
Until this change takes effect, Express Entry candidates could earn 50 or 200 additional CRS points for a job offer supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
These points often played a decisive role. For example, an applicant who received just 50 extra points could easily move from being below the cut-off to receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
What’s Changing for Future Applicants?
Soon, candidates will no longer receive any CRS points for LMIA-based job offers.
Although the government has not declared the exact implementation date, the official CRS tool (as of December 18) continues to show the 50-point bonus for a valid job offer.
Because of this, applicants should prepare for the change now, rather than waiting for the system to update.
What Is the CRS?
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is the points-based tool Canada uses to rank Express Entry candidates. The score can reach up to 1200 points and is divided into:
Core Human Capital Factors (Up to 600 points)
- Age
- Education
- Language scores
- Work experience
These values change if a spouse or partner is included in the application.
Additional Points (Up to 600 points)
- Provincial nominations
- French-language skills
- Canadian education
- Arranged employment (LMIA job offer — removed soon)
With the new update, the LMIA job-offer bonus will be taken out of this second category.
Understanding the LMIA Change More Clearly
Under the old system:
- 50 points were awarded for most skilled job offers (any NOC TEER).
- 200 points were awarded for senior management or executive positions in NOC TEER 0.
After the update, candidates will not receive either of these bonuses.
Why Is Canada Removing LMIA Points?
According to Minister Miller, the government wants to protect the integrity of the immigration system.
LMIA fraud has become a concern, especially cases where individuals buy LMIA job offers instead of securing real employment. By removing LMIA points, the government aims to:
- Reduce fraud
- Make the system fairer
- Encourage applicants to rely on genuine qualifications
How the TFWP Connects to This Change
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) requires employers to obtain an LMIA before hiring most foreign workers. Recently, the TFWP also went through adjustments, such as:
- Suspension of low-wage LMIA processing
- Higher wage requirements for high-wage workers
- Stronger compliance measures
These changes work together with the LMIA point removal to support the government’s wider immigration plan.
What Does This Mean for Express Entry Candidates?
Throughout 2024, general and CEC Express Entry draws have seen CRS cut-offs well above 500 points.
Because LMIA points helped many candidates push their scores into the competitive range, removing them will:
- Make high CRS scores even more important
- Increase reliance on education, language scores, and Canadian experience
- Push more candidates toward PNP pathways for extra points
Applicants who planned to depend on LMIA points should start focusing on boosting their core CRS factors instead.
A New Phase for Express Entry
The removal of LMIA-based CRS points is a major shift. Although the official rollout date is still pending, candidates must prepare early and stay updated. This policy change may reshape strategies, but with careful planning, applicants can still build strong, competitive Express Entry profiles.
Get in touch with SPS Global
Receive professional advice on any of your questions regarding Canadian immigration. get in touch with us, experienced immigration consultants from SPS Canada. For additional information, contact support@spscanada.com (Canada) or support.amd@spscanada.com (Ahmedabad), or by phone at (1) 905-362-9393 (Canada) or +919586226232 (Ahmedabad).
