In a major announcement, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) declared that Express Entry candidates will not receive additional points even if they receive an offer. The changes aim to reduce fraud in the immigration system and remove incentives to abuse Labor Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) to boost Express Entry scores. The new policy is scheduled to come into effect in spring 2025 and will impact both new and existing candidates, including those working temporarily in Canada.
Previously, having a valid job posting significantly improved a candidate’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and increased their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply for Permanent Residency (ITA). However, under the revised system, job offers no longer carry the same weight as before, leveling the playing field for candidates.
What is the comprehensive ranking system?
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is a points-based system used to evaluate and rank profiles within the Express Entry pool. Evaluate candidates based on factors such as skills, education, language proficiency, work experience, and other criteria. To receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), a candidate’s CRS score must exceed the minimum cutoff for the invitation round. This score varies from round to round.
Understand express entry points
Canada’s Express Entry system allows candidates who apply through programs such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), or Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) to receive additional benefits for arranged employment. Earn CRS points. These additional points often play a pivotal role in determining whether a candidate obtains an ITA for permanent residence.
Why this change?
The measure is aimed at reducing fraudulent practices such as buying and selling LMIAs, which some candidates have used to unfairly boost their CRS scores. IRCC says the new rules will ensure Canada has a fairer and more transparent immigration process, with a focus on selecting skilled and qualified people.
Who will be affected?
This change may impact candidates who are planning to immigrate to Canada for work or who are currently on a temporary work visa. However, candidates who have already received an ITA or who are applying are not affected.
Impact on Indian candidates
India continues to dominate Canada’s immigration landscape. According to the cited NFAP analysis, between 2013 and 2023, the number of Indians immigrating to Canada jumped 326%, increasing from 32,828 to 129,715. forbes. According to a TNN report, in 2023 alone, Indians received 52,106 ITAs, accounting for 47.2% of the total invitations under the Express Entry route.
Genuine Indian applicants, especially students transitioning from study permits to work permits or currently employed on temporary visas, may face setbacks as the value of recruitment points has been reduced. For example, students who complete their studies often secure jobs to strengthen their CRS scores. The new rules may deter some people from pursuing education or employment opportunities in Canada. Indian candidates face setbacks such as:
Decrease in advantage when getting a job offer: Indian candidates who rely on recruitment to boost their CRS scores will lose this advantage and find it difficult to stand out in the Express Entry pool.
Challenges for students preparing to find employment: Indian students in Canada often take advantage of post-graduation job offers to improve their grades, but they may face increased competition and difficulty securing permanent residency.
The growing importance of CRS fundamentals: With the removal of recruitment points, other CRS factors such as education, language skills and work experience will be given more weight and Indian applicants will be asked to focus on these areas.
Increasing competition among candidates: Without additional points for arranged employment, competition between Indian candidates and other candidates in the Express Entry pool is likely to increase, requiring a stronger overall profile. It will be.
