Effective today, March 25, 2025, job offers will no longer contribute additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points to candidates in the Express Entry pool — a change expected to reshape how applicants plan their path to permanent residency. This change follows IRCC’s December 23, 2024 announcement aimed at curbing fraud related to job offers and LMIAs.
The measure specifically targets the misuse of Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) and arranged employment offers, which have increasingly been subject to fraudulent practices. By removing the incentive to purchase fake or unverifiable job offers, IRCC aims to uphold the integrity of the immigration process and ensure that only legitimate candidates are rewarded.
The policy will affect:
- Current Express Entry candidates with valid job offers: Points associated with their arranged employment will be deducted from their CRS score starting March 25. The update may take a few days to reflect in the profile.
- Future applicants: As of the effective date, new profiles will no longer receive CRS points for job offers.
- Candidates without qualifying job offers: No additional points will be awarded moving forward.
However, applicants with an active Invitation To Apply or ITA that has not expired or been declined will not be affected by the change. Their invitation remains valid for that specific round.
Job Offers Still Matter
While job offers will no longer affect CRS scores, they remain relevant for other federal and provincial immigration programs. IRCC clarified that arranged employment will still play a role in:
- The Federal Skilled Worker Program (as part of its selection grid),
- The Federal Skilled Trades Program, and
- Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), where a valid job offer can be a key criterion for eligibility or selection.
Express Entry profiles should still include any valid job offer details to maintain eligibility for these streams.
For many Filipinos in Canada, particularly temporary foreign workers and international students hoping to transition to permanent residency, this represents a paradigm shift. With job offers becoming a less influential factor, candidates must now invest more effort in improving their core profile.
While this update may seem discouraging to some, it ultimately aims to protect the integrity of Canada’s immigration system. Fraudulent practices involving job offers not only undermine fairness but also put genuine applicants at risk.
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Source:
IRCC
Note: Immigration policies and procedures are subject to change. It’s advisable to consult the official IRCC website or seek professional advice for the most current information.