Immigration | Changes to Canada’s Express Entry points system

Dear Miss Powell,

I hear there are changes to the Express Entry points system. I have a marketing degree with three years’ experience. Would I qualify?

Z.R.

Dear ZR,

It depends on your age, education, language results, and the kind of work you do.

On October 16, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced changes to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), the points system that ranks Express Entry candidates. The changes take effect on November 3, 2026.

New points for Canadian experience and job offers

The new Labour Market Integration factor awards points for qualifying Canadian work experience, with added points for experience in high-wage occupations, or for an eligible job offer. You receive whichever produces the higher score, not both. The maximum is 150 points for applicants without an accompanying spouse or common-law partner and 140 for those with one. A job offer alone carries a maximum of 100 points.

More points do not guarantee an invitation to apply for permanent residence. That still depends on each draw’s cut-off score.

Your three years of experience may help you qualify under the Federal Skilled Worker Program if your duties match a skilled occupation. It may also add skills - transferability points. It does not count as Canadian work experience under the new factor.

Which jobs count as high-wage?

An occupation is “high-wage” if its median wage across Canada is at least 1.3 times the national median. IRCC decides this by occupation code under the National Occupational Classification (NOC), not by your salary.

A job offer as a lawyer, family physician, nurse practitioner, financial manager, or IT manager earns 100 CRS points. Software engineers, data scientists, civil and mechanical engineers, registered nurses, pharmacists, and teachers earn 70. Accountants, financial analysts, human resources professionals, social workers, web developers, and industrial electricians earn 50.

Marketing is split:

• Advertising, marketing, and public relations managers (NOC 10022): 70 points.

• Business development officers and market researchers and analysts (NOC 41402): 70 points.

• Marketing specialists and coordinators whose duties fall under NOC 11202 are not eligible for the new job-offer points.

The job duties decide the code, not the title. A job offer outside the high-wage list earns no new points, but it may still help you meet Federal Skilled Worker eligibility. IRCC assesses the two separately.

LMIA not needed

A qualifying job offer no longer needs a Labour Market Impact Assessment. However, an officer must be satisfied that the offer is genuine. The employer must be operating a business, need the role, be able to pay, and follow employment law. You must be qualified to do the work and likely to take the job. The offer must generally be full time and for at least one year after you become a permanent resident.

The offer does not authorise you to work in Canada. You still need a work permit or permanent residence before you can start.

If you already have an Express Entry profile and a qualifying Canadian job offer that is not in it, update your profile before November 3, 2026.

What should you do?

ZR, your age, education, and language results carry significant weight in your score. Have your degree assessed and take an approved language test. If you pursue a Canadian job offer, check that your duties match the correct occupation code. Do not pay anyone for a job offer. A false offer can lead to a finding of misrepresentation and a five-year ban from Canada.

Remember, you may qualify without a job offer. If you are unsure about your eligibility, consult an immigration lawyer.

Deidre S. Powell, B.Sc., LL.B., LL.M., MCIArb, is a lawyer, mediator and author in Canada. Contact her via www.deidrepowell.com or WhatsApp 613-695-8777.