In an official statement,Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC), which is Canada’s immigration agency has announced that as part of ongoing efforts to prevent and reduce fraud, Express Entry candidates will no longer receive additional points for having a job offer.
This temporary measure will reduce fraud by removing the incentive to illegally buy or sell labour market impact assessments to improve a candidate’s chances of being selected to come to Canada as a permanent resident. This change will come into effect in spring 2025.
Once they take effect, the changes will impact candidates pursuing permanent residence through the Express Entry system, including those currently working in Canada temporarily. The changes will not affect candidates who have already been invited to apply or who have an application in progress. Once the change is introduced, it will apply to all candidates with job offers in the pool as well as new candidates entering the pool, states IRCC.
Marc Miller, immigration minister said, “We are taking important steps to reduce fraud while continuing to attract the skilled talent our economy needs. Immigration has always been a cornerstone of Canada’s success, and we remain committed to welcoming the best and brightest to Canada so that everyone has access to the quality jobs, homes and supports they need to thrive.”
Express Entry is Canada’s flagship application management system for those seeking to obtain permanent residence through the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, the Canadian experience class and a portion of the Provincial Nominee Program.
Also read: In a bid to curb fraud, Canada is likely to stop awarding points for job-offers under Express Entry Route
Indians top the charts when it comes to allotment of invitations to apply for permanent residency under the Express Entry route. Nearly 52,106 Indians were issued such invites during 2023, this is 47.2 % of the total invites issued during this period. As a job-offer garners 50 or 200 points, many genuine applicants are bound to face a set-back.
Miller had earlier made this announcement in a television appearance, which was duly analysed by TOI.
Canada’s Express Entry will not award points for job-offers from spring 2025 – Times of India
