Canada Express Entry Changes 2026: New CRS Points Rules Effective November 3

Canada will introduce changes to its Express Entry program ranking system on November 3, 2026, allowing qualified applicants to earn additional CRS points through high wage offers or qualifying Canadian work experience.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the reforms on October 16,2026, as part of its efforts to align immigration selection with labour market requirements.

Under this revised system, the number of additional points will be based on the wage level assigned to the applicant's profession. The changes will also remove the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) requirement for qualifying job offers under specified Express Entry rules.

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What are the New Express Entry CRS Points for Job Offers?

The new Labour Market Integration Factor will offer additional CRS points as per the occupation’s median wage compared with the overall median wage of the Canadian workforce.

Occupations below the 1.3x times threshold will not be considered or eligible for additional job offer points under this factor.

Candidates are advised to check their occupation’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) code and assigned wage level rather than relying only on their personal hourly salary.

How Will Canadian Work Experience Affect CRS Points?

Applicants with at least 12 months of qualifying Canadian work experience in eligible high wage occupations might get additional points. It is totally dependent on the occupation’s wage factor.

The additional points includes:

These points will be added to the applicant’s current CRS points for the duration of Canadian work experience.

However, IRCC will compare the Canadian work experience routes and job offer and will apply the higher applicable score rather than combining both routes.

Will Express Entry Job Offers Require an LMIA?

From November 3,2026, a Labour Market Impact Assessment will no longer be necessary for qualifying job offers to get the new CRS points. It will also not be required to fulfill relevant job offer criteria under the Federal Skilled Worker Program and Federal Skilled Trades Program.

Candidates and employers must still meet the applicable criteria, including the conditions governing genuine job offers. Removing the requirement of LMIA does not make every job offer eligible for additional points.

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What Should Express Entry Candidates Do Before November 3?

Express Entry applicants should review their NOC code, occupation’s wage category and qualifying Canadian work experience before applying for the new points. IRCC will recalculate current profiles after implementation, and the process might take duration of up to two weeks, during which the invitation round will be paused.

Here is a list of high wage occupations and their NOC codes:

2x factor occupations

• Architecture and science managers (NOC 20011).
• Banking, credit and other investment managers (NOC 10021).
• Commissioned police officers and related occupations in public protection services (NOC 40040).
• Computer and information systems managers (NOC 20012).
• Corporate sales managers (NOC 60010).
• Engineering managers (NOC 20010).

1.5x factor occupations

• Administrators - post-secondary education and vocational training (NOC 40020).
• Advertising, marketing and public relations managers (NOC 10022).
• Aerospace engineers (NOC 21390).
• Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors (NOC 72600).
• Air traffic controllers and related occupations (NOC 72601).
• Audiologists and speech-language pathologists (NOC 31112).
• Boilermakers (NOC 72103).

1.3x factor occupations

• Accommodation service managers (NOC 60031).
• Agricultural representatives, consultants and specialists (NOC 21112).
• Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors (NOC 22313).
• Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors (NOC 72404).
• Architects (NOC 21200).
• Archivists (NOC 51102).
• Assessors, business valuators and appraisers (NOC 12203)

To check the complete list of eligible high wage occupations and their NOC codes, visit the Nationwide Visas website for detailed information on the latest Express Entry changes.

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Source: canada.ca

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