Impact of the elimination of CRS points for concerted employment in Canada

The elimination of CRS points for arranged employment offers has had a significant impact on Canada's Express Entry system, causing a drastic decline in the scores of many candidates who are now concerned about their new prospects of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.

Today I want to address this topic in detail and offer recommendations for adapting to the current challenges of the Express Entry score and accessing Immigration Canada's immigration service if needed. Let's get started!

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What's happening with candidates who have a job offer and a CRS score?

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As a reminder, on March 25, 2025, the Canadian government made significant changes to the Express Entry system, affecting permanent residence applicants. They no longer received additional points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) for valid job offers, including those supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). 

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The most notable consequences of this change are:

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1. Drastic decrease in scores

• Thousands of candidates have seen their scores drop by 50 or 200 points, depending on the type of job offer.
• This has particularly affected those in the 501-600 CRS point range, where a decrease of 5,740 profiles was recorded, according to data obtained from the CIC News portal.
• There were also reductions in the 491-500 point ranges (affecting 1,618 profiles) and 481-490 points (affecting 984 profiles).

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3. Redistribution of profiles in the Express Entry group

• Candidates who previously had high scores have been moved to lower ranks.
• An increase of 2,157 profiles was observed in the 461-470 CRS point range, suggesting that many candidates have dropped from higher levels.

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3. There is now more competition in the mid-range

• The elimination of points has generated increased competition in the 401-450 point ranges, which have grown by 5,814 profiles.
• This means that candidates without a job offer now have a better chance of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

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Recommendations to optimize the migration profile 

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At Immiland Canada , we serve the immigrant population, helping them build a successful path to live and work in Canada through the Express Entry system. Given the current changes, it is essential to adapt to the new dynamics of Express Entry and optimize their immigration profile. Some strategic recommendations include:

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1. Strengthen your CRS score without relying on a job offer

• Focus on improving your English or French level to earn more points in the CRS system.
• Earn additional educational credentials to boost your score.
• Gain work experience in Canada, which remains a key factor in selection.

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2. Explore the Provincial Nomination Program (PNP)

• With the elimination of points for contracted employment, obtaining a provincial nomination has become an even more valuable strategy.
• Provinces continue to award nominations to candidates with specific skills, which can add up to 600 CRS points and guarantee an ITA.

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The elimination of CRS points for arranged employment has transformed the Express Entry landscape, affecting thousands of candidates with high scores. However, those who adapt to the new reality and optimize their profile through education, work experience, and provincial nominations can still improve their chances of obtaining permanent residence in Canada.

If you need more information on how to fine-tune your Canadian immigration strategy, you can schedule a consultation with an Immiland CICC-regulated consultant. 

I hope this topic helps you improve your CRS score and receive an ITA for permanent residence in Canada soon. 

Thank you very much for reading, see you in the next blog!

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With love,

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Immiland Canada