On this page you will find
- Details of Canada’s November 3 Express Entry changes
- New CRS points for Canadian work experience and high-wage occupations
- New points for qualifying job offers
- Changes to LMIA requirements
- How existing Express Entry candidates will be affected
- Complete lists of eligible high-wage occupations and NOC codes
- Background on Canada’s broader Express Entry reforms
- Frequently asked questions about the new rules
Canada has announced major changes to its Express Entry immigration system that will award up to 150 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points to candidates with qualifying Canadian work experience in high-wage occupations.
Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab unveiled the changes on Friday, October 16, confirming that the new rules will take effect on November 3, 2026.
Under the revised system, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will give greater weight to Canadian work experience and introduce additional points for candidates working in designated high-wage occupations.
Candidates with qualifying job offers in high-wage occupations will also be eligible for up to 100 CRS points.
In another significant change, Canada will remove Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) requirements for qualifying job offers used to obtain the new Express Entry points or meet certain federal skilled immigration program requirements.
The changes could significantly alter Express Entry rankings by giving additional weight to candidates with Canadian work experience, professional qualifications and employment opportunities in occupations associated with higher earnings.
The government has published an extensive list of eligible occupations, covering senior managers, engineers, doctors, technology specialists, teachers, skilled tradespeople and other professionals.
Candidates already in the Express Entry pool will have their scores automatically recalculated, although those seeking job offer points must update their profiles before November 3.
IRCC will pause Express Entry invitation rounds during the transition, with the recalculation process expected to take up to two weeks.
How Will Express Entry CRS Points Change On November 3?
The government is introducing a new labour market integration factor that rewards eligible Canadian work experience, with additional points for experience in high-wage occupations.
Under the revised system, candidates can receive points based on either their eligible Canadian work experience or a qualifying job offer in a high-wage occupation.
Candidates who qualify under both options will receive whichever provides the higher points total. They cannot combine the two.
The maximum number of points available under the labour market integration factor will be:
- 150 points for candidates without an accompanying spouse or common-law partner
- 140 points for candidates with an accompanying spouse or common-law partner
The changes are designed to place greater emphasis on factors IRCC associates with stronger economic outcomes after immigrants settle in Canada.
New CRS Points For Canadian Work Experience
Candidates with at least one year of eligible Canadian work experience in a high-wage occupation can receive additional points depending on the wage classification of their occupation.
| High-wage occupation level | Additional CRS points |
|---|---|
| At least 12 months in one or more occupations with median wages at least twice the national benchmark | 70 |
| At least 12 months combined in occupations with median wages at least 1.5 times the benchmark | 40 |
| At least 12 months combined in occupations with median wages at least 1.3 times the benchmark | 20 |
These additional points are awarded on top of points for the duration of eligible Canadian work experience.
Candidates can receive up to 80 points for five years of eligible Canadian work experience.
This means a candidate who meets the highest wage threshold and has sufficient Canadian work experience could receive a total of 150 points under the new factor.
Candidates whose Canadian work experience does not fall within a designated high-wage occupation will continue to qualify for points based on the duration of their eligible experience.
Eligible experience generally must have been gained in Canada during the previous 10 years in occupations classified under TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC).
Special provisions also apply to certain physicians providing publicly funded medical services.
New Express Entry Job Offer Points
Canada is also introducing a new system of CRS points for qualifying job offers in designated high-wage occupations.
Candidates will receive points according to the wage classification of the occupation associated with their job offer.
| High-wage occupation level | CRS points |
|---|---|
| Median wage at least twice the national benchmark | 100 |
| Median wage at least 1.5 times the benchmark | 70 |
| Median wage at least 1.3 times the benchmark | 50 |
A qualifying job offer must generally involve full-time, continuous employment in Canada for at least one year after the candidate becomes a permanent resident.
Different provisions may apply to certain skilled trades and physicians providing publicly funded medical services.
Importantly, the points are determined by the median wage of the occupation, rather than the salary offered to an individual candidate.
For example, a candidate does not qualify for a higher wage category simply because an employer offers a salary above the national threshold. The occupation itself must appear on IRCC’s designated list.
Canada Removes LMIA Requirement For Qualifying Express Entry Job Offers
One of the most significant changes is the removal of LMIA requirements for qualifying job offers under Express Entry.
Beginning November 3, candidates will no longer need an LMIA for a qualifying job offer to receive the new CRS job offer points.
The government will also introduce a temporary public policy exempting eligible candidates invited to apply on or after November 3 from LMIA and LMIA-exemption requirements connected to qualifying job offers under two federal immigration programs:
Candidates must still meet the conditions of the public policy and all other applicable immigration requirements.
The change is intended to simplify the Express Entry process by eliminating a separate assessment that could increase costs and delays for employers and candidates.
However, removing the LMIA requirement does not mean that IRCC will accept job offers without verification.
Immigration officers will continue to assess whether job offers are genuine, whether employers are operating legitimate businesses and whether applicants are qualified to perform the proposed work.
The change also does not eliminate LMIA requirements that may apply separately when employers hire temporary foreign workers under other immigration programs.
How Will IRCC Assess Job Offers Without An LMIA?
Under the revised system, immigration officers will conduct a single assessment of qualifying job offers.
Officers must be satisfied that:
- The employer is actively engaged in the business for which the job offer has been made.
- The offer reflects the employer’s reasonable employment needs.
- The employer can reasonably fulfil the terms of the job offer.
- The candidate is qualified and able to perform the work.
- The candidate is likely to accept the offer and carry out the employment.
- The employer has complied with relevant federal and provincial employment and recruitment legislation.
IRCC will continue to investigate suspected fraud and misrepresentation.
The department says restricting job offer points to high-wage occupations will support verification because many of these positions require specialized qualifications, work experience or professional credentials.
Candidates will lose eligibility for job offer points if the employer revokes the qualifying offer.
What Must Express Entry Candidates Do Before November 3?
Candidates already in the Express Entry pool will have their CRS scores automatically recalculated under the revised points system.
Those seeking points for eligible Canadian work experience will not need to create a new Express Entry profile simply because the scoring system is changing.
However, candidates who want to receive points for a qualifying job offer must review and update their existing profiles to ensure that the required information is complete and accurate.
IRCC has instructed these candidates to make the necessary updates before November 3.
The government has also confirmed that Express Entry invitation rounds will be paused while the changes take effect.
The recalculation process could take up to two weeks.
Candidates should therefore expect a temporary interruption to invitation rounds and changes to their CRS scores as the department implements the new system.
The changes could also affect future CRS cut-off scores as candidates with qualifying Canadian experience or high-wage job offers move higher in the Express Entry pool.
However, additional CRS points do not guarantee an invitation to apply for permanent residence.
IRCC will continue to issue invitations based on the requirements and cut-off score of each invitation round.
What Counts As A High-Wage Occupation Under Express Entry?
IRCC has divided eligible high-wage occupations into three groups based on their median earnings relative to the Canadian workforce.
The thresholds are:
- Level 1 – Occupations with median wages at least twice the national benchmark.
- Level 2 – Occupations with median wages at least 1.5 times, but less than twice, the national benchmark.
- Level 3 – Occupations with median wages at least 1.3 times, but less than 1.5 times, the national benchmark.
The department uses wage data from Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey, the Census of Population and the federal Job Bank.
An occupation’s classification is based on the highest wage threshold it reached during the previous three years.
The initial list, which takes effect on November 3, uses data from 2023 to 2025.
IRCC has also confirmed that the wage classification applicable when a candidate receives an invitation to apply will continue to apply to that invitation, even if the list changes afterwards.
The complete occupation lists appear below.
Complete List Of Express Entry High-Wage Occupations – 100-Point Job Offer Category
The following 31 occupations have median wages at least twice the national benchmark.
Candidates with qualifying job offers in these occupations may receive 100 CRS points. Candidates with at least 12 months of eligible Canadian work experience in these occupations may receive 70 additional points.
| NOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 00011 | Senior government managers and officials |
| 00012 | Senior managers – financial, communications and other business services |
| 00013 | Senior managers – health, education, social and community services and membership organizations |
| 10010 | Financial managers |
| 10011 | Human resources managers |
| 10012 | Purchasing managers |
| 10020 | Insurance, real estate and financial brokerage managers |
| 10021 | Banking, credit and other investment managers |
| 20010 | Engineering managers |
| 20011 | Architecture and science managers |
| 20012 | Computer and information systems managers |
| 21330 | Mining engineers |
| 21332 | Petroleum engineers |
| 31100 | Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine |
| 31101 | Specialists in surgery |
| 31102 | General practitioners and family physicians |
| 31103 | Veterinarians |
| 31302 | Nurse practitioners |
| 31303 | Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals |
| 40010 | Government managers – health and social policy development and program administration |
| 40011 | Government managers – economic analysis, policy development and program administration |
| 40012 | Government managers – education policy development and program administration |
| 40019 | Other managers in public administration |
| 40040 | Commissioned police officers and related occupations in public protection services |
| 40041 | Fire chiefs and senior firefighting officers |
| 41100 | Judges |
| 41101 | Lawyers and Quebec notaries |
| 41200 | University professors and lecturers |
| 60010 | Corporate sales managers |
| 80010 | Managers in natural resources production and fishing |
| 90011 | Utilities managers |
Complete List Of Express Entry High-Wage Occupations – 70-Point Job Offer Category
The following occupations have median wages at least 1.5 times, but less than twice, the national benchmark.
Candidates with qualifying job offers in these occupations may receive 70 CRS points.
Candidates with at least 12 months of combined eligible Canadian work experience in occupations meeting the 1.5-times threshold may receive 40 additional points, provided they do not qualify for the higher 70-point work experience bonus.
| NOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 00014 | Senior managers – trade, broadcasting and other services |
| 00015 | Senior managers – construction, transportation, production and utilities |
| 10019 | Other administrative services managers |
| 10022 | Advertising, marketing and public relations managers |
| 10029 | Other business services managers |
| 10030 | Telecommunication carriers managers |
| 11103 | Securities agents, investment dealers and brokers |
| 11201 | Professional occupations in business management consulting |
| 21100 | Physicists and astronomers |
| 21102 | Geoscientists and oceanographers |
| 21103 | Meteorologists and climatologists |
| 21109 | Other professional occupations in physical sciences |
| 21111 | Forestry professionals |
| 21120 | Public and environmental health and safety professionals |
| 21202 | Urban and land use planners |
| 21210 | Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries |
| 21211 | Data scientists |
| 21220 | Cybersecurity specialists |
| 21221 | Business systems specialists |
| 21222 | Information systems specialists |
| 21223 | Database analysts and data administrators |
| 21230 | Computer systems developers and programmers |
| 21231 | Software engineers and designers |
| 21232 | Software developers and programmers |
| 21300 | Civil engineers |
| 21301 | Mechanical engineers |
| 21310 | Electrical and electronics engineers |
| 21311 | Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) |
| 21320 | Chemical engineers |
| 21321 | Industrial and manufacturing engineers |
| 21322 | Metallurgical and materials engineers |
| 21331 | Geological engineers |
| 21390 | Aerospace engineers |
| 21399 | Other professional engineers |
| 22231 | Engineering inspectors and regulatory officers |
| 22312 | Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics |
| 30010 | Managers in health care |
| 31110 | Dentists |
| 31112 | Audiologists and speech-language pathologists |
| 31120 | Pharmacists |
| 31200 | Psychologists |
| 31202 | Physiotherapists |
| 31203 | Occupational therapists |
| 31300 | Nursing coordinators and supervisors |
| 31301 | Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses |
| 32111 | Dental hygienists and dental therapists |
| 40020 | Administrators – post-secondary education and vocational training |
| 40021 | School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education |
| 40030 | Managers in social, community and correctional services |
| 40042 | Commissioned officers of the Canadian Armed Forces |
| 41210 | College and other vocational instructors |
| 41220 | Secondary school teachers |
| 41221 | Elementary school and kindergarten teachers |
| 41310 | Police investigators and other investigative occupations |
| 41311 | Probation and parole officers |
| 41320 | Educational counsellors |
| 41401 | Economists and economic policy researchers and analysts |
| 41402 | Business development officers and market researchers and analysts |
| 41404 | Health policy researchers, consultants and program officers |
| 41407 | Program officers unique to government |
| 42100 | Police officers (except commissioned) |
| 42101 | Firefighters |
| 50010 | Library, archive, museum and art gallery managers |
| 50011 | Managers – publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts |
| 51100 | Librarians |
| 70010 | Construction managers |
| 70012 | Facility operation and maintenance managers |
| 70020 | Managers in transportation |
| 70021 | Postal and courier services managers |
| 72011 | Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations |
| 72012 | Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades |
| 72023 | Supervisors, railway transport operations |
| 72103 | Boilermakers |
| 72202 | Power system electricians |
| 72203 | Electrical power line and cable workers |
| 72301 | Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers |
| 72406 | Elevator constructors and mechanics |
| 72600 | Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors |
| 72601 | Air traffic controllers and related occupations |
| 72604 | Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators |
| 73310 | Railway and yard locomotive engineers |
| 82020 | Supervisors, mining and quarrying |
| 82021 | Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services |
| 83101 | Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers |
| 90010 | Manufacturing managers |
| 92011 | Supervisors, petroleum, gas and chemical processing and utilities |
| 92100 | Power engineers and power systems operators |
| 93100 | Central control and process operators, mineral and metal processing |
| 93101 | Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing |
Complete List Of Express Entry High-Wage Occupations – 50-Point Job Offer Category
The following occupations have median wages at least 1.3 times, but less than 1.5 times, the national benchmark.
Candidates with qualifying job offers in these occupations may receive 50 CRS points.
Candidates with at least 12 months of combined eligible Canadian work experience across designated high-wage occupations may receive 20 additional points if they do not qualify for either of the higher work experience bonuses.
| NOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 00010 | Legislators |
| 11100 | Financial auditors and accountants |
| 11101 | Financial and investment analysts |
| 11102 | Financial advisors |
| 11109 | Other financial officers |
| 11200 | Human resources professionals |
| 12201 | Insurance adjusters and claims examiners |
| 12203 | Assessors, business valuators and appraisers |
| 21101 | Chemists |
| 21110 | Biologists and related scientists |
| 21112 | Agricultural representatives, consultants and specialists |
| 21200 | Architects |
| 21201 | Landscape architects |
| 21203 | Land surveyors |
| 21234 | Web developers and programmers |
| 22214 | Technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology |
| 22232 | Occupational health and safety specialists |
| 22233 | Construction inspectors |
| 22310 | Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians |
| 22313 | Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors |
| 31121 | Dietitians and nutritionists |
| 32102 | Paramedical occupations |
| 32103 | Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists |
| 32120 | Medical laboratory technologists |
| 32121 | Medical radiation technologists |
| 32122 | Medical sonographers |
| 41300 | Social workers |
| 41400 | Natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants and program officers |
| 41403 | Social policy researchers, consultants and program officers |
| 41405 | Education policy researchers, consultants and program officers |
| 41409 | Other professional occupations in social science |
| 43201 | Correctional service officers |
| 43203 | Border services, customs, and immigration officers |
| 50012 | Recreation, sports and fitness program and service directors |
| 51101 | Conservators and curators |
| 51102 | Archivists |
| 51111 | Authors and writers (except technical) |
| 51112 | Technical writers |
| 51120 | Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations |
| 52112 | Broadcast technicians |
| 60020 | Retail and wholesale trade managers |
| 60031 | Accommodation service managers |
| 60040 | Managers in customer and personal services |
| 72010 | Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations |
| 72013 | Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades |
| 72014 | Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers |
| 72020 | Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades |
| 72021 | Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews |
| 72102 | Sheet metal workers |
| 72105 | Ironworkers |
| 72201 | Industrial electricians |
| 72302 | Gas fitters |
| 72320 | Bricklayers |
| 72321 | Insulators |
| 72401 | Heavy-duty equipment mechanics |
| 72403 | Railway carmen/women |
| 72404 | Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors |
| 72500 | Crane operators |
| 72602 | Deck officers, water transport |
| 72603 | Engineer officers, water transport |
| 73311 | Railway conductors and brakemen/women |
| 82010 | Supervisors, logging and forestry |
| 83100 | Underground production and development miners |
| 83120 | Fishing masters and officers |
| 92010 | Supervisors, mineral and metal processing |
| 93102 | Pulping, papermaking and coating control operators |
How Do The Changes Fit Into Canada’s Wider Express Entry Reforms?
The October 16 announcement follows an extensive federal consultation on the future of Express Entry and the selection of skilled immigrants.
IRCC published its final consultation report on October 15, detailing feedback from approximately 17,500 survey respondents, alongside written submissions, roundtables and information sessions.
The consultation examined proposals to restructure the federal skilled immigration system and change how Canada awards CRS points.
One of the most significant proposals involved merging three existing immigration programs into a single economic immigration pathway:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Canadian Experience Class
- Federal Skilled Trades Program
The proposal received a mixed response, with 41 per cent of survey respondents supporting a merger and 46 per cent favouring the existing separate programs.
Another proposal involved awarding additional points for Canadian work experience in high-wage occupations.
The consultation found that 42.3 per cent supported the proposal, while 45.8 per cent opposed it.
Despite the mixed response, the government has now confirmed that high-wage Canadian work experience will play a greater role in Express Entry selection.
The consultation also considered changes to age points, Canadian education, job offers, family connections and professional qualifications.
Those broader proposals have not all been adopted.
In particular, the government has not announced a merger of the three federal skilled immigration programs.
What About Other Express Entry Categories?
The latest changes build on earlier measures introduced during 2026 to prioritize candidates with qualifications and experience in occupations facing labour shortages.
In February, Canada announced additional Express Entry selection categories targeting:
- Physicians with Canadian work experience
- Researchers and senior managers with Canadian work experience
- Transport occupations, including pilots and aircraft mechanics
- Certain highly skilled foreign military recruits
These joined existing priorities covering French-language proficiency, health care and social services, skilled trades, education and other targeted occupations.
The new labour market integration points will operate alongside Express Entry’s category-based selection system.
Candidates may therefore benefit from both occupation-specific selection opportunities and the new CRS scoring rules, depending on their circumstances.
However, candidates must continue to meet the eligibility requirements of an Express Entry-managed immigration program before they can receive an invitation.
Will Canada Introduce An Express Entry Category For H-1B Visa Holders?
The October 16 announcement did not introduce a dedicated Express Entry category for holders of American H-1B visas.
Canada has previously sought to attract skilled foreign professionals working in the United States, including through a temporary open work permit initiative launched in 2023.
However, the latest changes focus on Canadian work experience, high-wage occupations and qualifying job offers rather than introducing a separate selection pathway based on American immigration status.
H-1B visa holders who meet Canada’s existing Express Entry requirements can still qualify for permanent residence through the regular federal economic immigration programs.
Some may also benefit from the new job offer points if they secure qualifying employment opportunities in Canada.
What Do The Changes Mean For Express Entry Candidates?
The November 3 reforms could significantly change the competitive position of candidates in the Express Entry pool.
Applicants with several years of Canadian work experience, particularly in designated high-wage occupations, may see substantial improvements in their CRS scores.
Candidates with qualifying job offers in high-wage occupations could also benefit from the new scoring system and the removal of LMIA requirements for those offers.
The impact will depend on each candidate’s occupation, employment history, immigration program eligibility and personal circumstances.
The changes may also increase competition in future invitation rounds, as candidates benefiting from the new points system move higher in the Express Entry pool.
IRCC has instructed candidates seeking job offer points to update their profiles before November 3, while other candidates should review their recalculated scores once the new system takes effect.
The government has made clear that additional CRS points do not guarantee an invitation to apply for permanent residence.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do Canada’s new Express Entry rules take effect?
Canada’s new Express Entry CRS scoring rules will take effect on November 3, 2026. Candidates already in the pool will have their scores automatically recalculated. IRCC expects the transition to take up to two weeks and will temporarily pause Express Entry invitation rounds while it implements the changes.
How many additional CRS points can I receive for Canadian work experience?
Candidates with eligible Canadian work experience in designated high-wage occupations may receive 20, 40 or 70 additional CRS points, depending on their occupation’s wage classification. When combined with points for the duration of Canadian work experience, the total can reach 150 points for candidates without an accompanying spouse or common-law partner.
Can I receive CRS points for a job offer without an LMIA?
Yes. Beginning November 3, 2026, candidates with qualifying job offers in high-wage occupations can receive 50, 70 or 100 CRS points without an LMIA. However, the job offer must meet IRCC’s requirements, and immigration officers will continue to verify its authenticity and assess whether the employer and candidate meet the applicable conditions.
Which occupations qualify for the new Express Entry points?
IRCC has published three lists of designated high-wage occupations covering senior managers, engineers, medical professionals, technology specialists, teachers, skilled tradespeople and other workers. Occupations qualify based on their median earnings relative to the Canadian workforce. The points available depend on the occupation’s classification and whether the candidate has eligible Canadian work experience or a qualifying job offer.
Do I need to update my Express Entry profile before November 3?
Candidates seeking points for a qualifying job offer must review and update their Express Entry profiles before November 3, ensuring that all required job offer information is accurate and complete. Other candidates already in the pool will have their CRS scores automatically recalculated. IRCC recommends checking updated scores after the changes take effect.