Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced significant changes to Canada’s Express Entry system aimed at better aligning economic immigration with labor market needs and attracting highly skilled talent in priority occupations.
The changes will take effect on November 3, 2026, and will modify how points are awarded under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) for candidates in the Express Entry pool.
Additional Points for High-Wage Occupations
Beginning November 3, IRCC will award additional CRS points to candidates who have:
- Eligible Canadian work experience in a high-wage occupation; or
- A qualifying job offer in a high-wage occupation.
According to IRCC, eligible high-wage occupations include roles in sectors such as:
- Engineering
- Skilled trades
- Healthcare
- Technology
- Education
The government stated that the changes are designed to prioritize candidates who are most likely to contribute to Canada’s long-term economic growth and workforce needs.
LMIA No Longer Required for Express Entry Job Offer Points
IRCC also announced a major simplification to the job offer assessment process.
Effective November 3, a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) will no longer be required for a qualifying job offer to:
- Receive Express Entry CRS points; or
- Meet job offer requirements under the Federal Skilled Worker Program and Federal Skilled Trades Program.
IRCC will continue reviewing job offers to ensure they are genuine and satisfy program requirements, while maintaining safeguards against fraud and abuse.
The government expects this change to reduce administrative burdens for both employers and candidates.
Impact on Existing Express Entry Candidates
Candidates already in the Express Entry pool will have their CRS scores automatically recalculated under the new rules.
However, individuals seeking points for a qualifying high-wage job offer must ensure that their Express Entry profile is updated with the required information before November 3, 2026.
IRCC noted that the recalculation process may take up to two weeks. During that period, invitation rounds will be temporarily paused.
What Is a High-Wage Occupation?
For Express Entry purposes, IRCC defines a high-wage occupation as one with a median wage equal to at least 1.3 times the median wage of the overall Canadian workforce.
Importantly, eligibility is based on the occupation itself rather than an individual’s salary.
IRCC will maintain and update a list of qualifying high-wage occupations using labor market data from:
- Job Bank
- Labour Force Survey
- Census of Population
Part of Canada’s Broader Talent Strategy
The latest changes build on several recent immigration initiatives aimed at targeting skilled workers in sectors facing labor shortages.
These include:
- A dedicated Express Entry category for physicians announced in December 2025.
- New and expanded Express Entry categories introduced in February 2026 for healthcare, skilled trades, research, transportation, and education professionals.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue to monitor developments and share updates as more news becomes available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or if you have case-specific questions.