Canada is making significant changes to its Express Entry system, a key immigration pathway for skilled workers. Starting after spring 2025, candidates applying for permanent residency (PR) will no longer receive extra points for having job offers.
What is the Express Entry System? Launched in 2015, Express Entry is a points-based framework that ranks PR applicants based on several factors:
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Age
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Education
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Work experience
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Language proficiency
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Job offers
Until now, job offers could add up to 200 points to an applicant’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, significantly boosting their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for PR.
Why the Change? The Canadian government aims to make the system fairer by focusing on applicants’ skills, qualifications, and adaptability rather than their employment status. Officials believe this shift will:
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Attract highly skilled candidates who can contribute to the economy long-term.
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Reduce the advantage job offer points provide, ensuring a level playing field for all applicants.
Who Will Be Affected? This change is expected to impact thousands of Indian professionals, who make up a large portion of Express Entry candidates. Indian applicants, especially those in high-demand fields like technology, healthcare, and engineering, have historically benefited from job offer points. Without these points, applicants may need to:
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Focus on improving other CRS factors, such as language test scores or advanced education.
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Gain Canadian work experience to strengthen their profiles.
What are the Reactions? The announcement has received mixed feedback:
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Supporters argue that it aligns with Canada’s long-term immigration goals by prioritizing skilled workers over those with employer connections.
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Critics warn that it may deter top global talent, especially from countries like India, where job offers often play a critical role in securing PR.
Why It Matters With over 500,000 Indians granted PR between 2016 and 2021, Canada remains a favored destination for Indian migrants. However, this policy shift could change migration dynamics, making the process more competitive.
What’s Next? Canadian immigration authorities will provide additional details about the new rules in early 2025. Aspiring immigrants should stay informed and explore other ways to enhance their CRS scores to maximize their chances of success under the updated system.