Canada, December 24: The Canadian government has announced that, beginning spring 2025, candidates for permanent residency (PR) through the Express Entry stream will no longer benefit from extra points gained by having an employment offer in hand.
Those points, at a minimum of 50, often made the difference between a candidate qualifying for PR or failing to do so. However, due to reports of fraud within the system, Ottawa has decided to withdraw that measure.
In a statement on Monday, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) said, “This temporary measure will reduce fraud by removing the incentive to illegally buy or sell labour market impact assessments to improve a candidate’s chances of being selected to come to Canada as a permanent resident. This change will come into effect in spring 2025.”
Once they take effect, the changes in rules will impact candidates pursuing PR through the Express Entry system, including those currently working in Canada temporarily. They will not affect candidates who have already been invited to apply or who have an application in progress.
“We are taking important steps to reduce fraud while continuing to attract the skilled talent our economy needs,” Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Marc Miller said.
IRCC described Express Entry as the country’s “flagship application management system for those seeking to immigrate permanently through the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, the Canadian experience class and a portion of the Provincial Nominee Program”.
Summary: Canada eliminates additional points for job offers in the Express Entry system, simplifying the pathway to permanent residency for skilled immigrants.