IRCC will add CRS points for high-wage Canadian work experience or job offers from November 3, 2026, and a job offer will no longer need an LMIA.
On October 16, 2026, Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab announced changes to the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). From November 3, 2026, IRCC will award additional CRS points for Canadian work experience or a qualifying job offer in a high-wage occupation, and a labour market impact assessment (LMIA) will no longer be required for that job offer. This is a confirmed change published by IRCC, not a proposal. It follows the 2026 Express Entry consultation, whose findings IRCC released on October 15.
What changed
A 'high-wage occupation' is defined by the occupation (NOC code), not by an individual's own salary: the median wage of everyone in Canada doing that job must be at least 1.3 times the average median wage of the overall Canadian workforce. IRCC says it will maintain and update the list using Job Bank, Labour Force Survey and Census data. Two sets of points are added.
| Wage level of the occupation | Canadian work experience (extra points, 12+ months) | Qualifying job offer (points) |
|---|---|---|
| At least 2.0x the average median wage | 70 | 100 |
| 1.5x to under 2.0x | 40 | 70 |
| 1.3x to under 1.5x | 20 | 50 |
A candidate receives points for either Canadian work experience or a qualifying job offer, not both. The work-experience bonus requires at least one year (12 months, 1,560 hours) in eligible high-wage roles and sits on top of the existing points for length of Canadian experience. IRCC states the combined maximum is 150 points for a candidate without a spouse or partner and 140 points with one.
What happens to the LMIA requirement
A job offer no longer needs an LMIA to earn the new points or to meet the job-offer requirement under the Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades programs. Holding an LMIA gives no extra points or priority. IRCC still assesses whether an offer is genuine. The job offer must be for full-time, continuous work in Canada, and IRCC's page describes a minimum of one year after the candidate becomes a permanent resident.
What happens to profiles already in the pool
Scores of candidates already in the pool will be recalculated automatically. IRCC says this can take up to two weeks, and that invitation rounds will pause during the recalculation and resume when it finishes. Candidates who want job-offer points must update their profile with the required information before November 3. IRCC's page notes a temporary workaround while the online form is updated: applicants without an LMIA enter the LMIA fields as instructed on that page. Follow the exact current instructions on IRCC's page rather than a summary.
Who is affected, and who is not
IRCC's published details point to the following:
- Likely affected: candidates working in Canada in occupations whose median wage is at least 1.3x the national average (IRCC cites engineers, electricians, healthcare, skilled trades, technology and education examples), and candidates holding or seeking job offers in those occupations.
- Not directly affected: candidates abroad with no Canadian work experience or job offer, and those in occupations below the 1.3x threshold.
- Whether an occupation qualifies depends on its NOC code on IRCC's list, so check the list rather than assuming from the job title.
What this does not change: IRCC states that additional CRS points do not guarantee an invitation to apply. Invitations still depend on each round's type and cut-off score, and cut-offs can move after the recalculation.
What to do next
Check your occupation's NOC code against IRCC's high-wage list, confirm your Canadian work history and any job offer details, and update your Express Entry profile before November 3 if you want job-offer points. Estimate your current score with our CRS calculator and read how the wider reform debate fits together in our Express Entry reform overview. Individual situations differ; consider speaking with a licensed immigration consultant.
Sources: IRCC news release and 'Changes to points for Canadian work experience and job offers' page, both dated October 16, 2026, read on October 18, 2026. Processing times and cut-off scores are estimates that change; no outcome is guaranteed. Official page: canada.ca Express Entry changes.
