Canada Express Entry: new CRS points for high-wage jobs from 3 November 2026

Job offer points in Express Entry were removed in March 2025. On 16 October 2026, Canada's Immigration Minister announced they are coming back in a new form. From 3 November 2026, candidates working in, or offered a job in, a high-wage occupation will get extra Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, and the job offer will no longer need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

What counts as a high-wage occupation

IRCC looks at the median wage for your occupation, not your own salary. If the median wage for your NOC code is at least 1.3 times Canada's national median wage, it counts as high-wage. There are three levels: at least 1.3 times, at least 1.5 times, and at least 2 times the national median. IRCC's list currently has 186 occupations across the three levels.

How many points you can get

You cannot add the two together. IRCC gives you the higher of your job offer points and your experience points, up to 100. These points sit on top of the points you already get for Canadian work experience in the core part of the CRS.

Examples of high-wage occupations

A few examples from IRCC's list. Check the full list against your exact NOC code before you rely on it.

• 2× level: financial managers, human resources managers, engineering managers, and senior managers in finance, health and education.
• 1.5× level: advertising and marketing managers, management consultants, securities agents and brokers, physicists and geoscientists.
• 1.3× level: financial auditors and accountants, financial and investment analysts, financial advisors, HR professionals and chemists.

IRCC's own announcement also names engineers and electricians among the jobs that can benefit.

What the job offer must look like

• Full-time and continuous paid work in Canada.
• For at least one year after you become a permanent resident.
• In an occupation on IRCC's high-wage list, judged by the duties of the job.
• No LMIA needed. IRCC still checks that the offer is genuine, so the employer should be ready to back it with documents.

What to do before 3 November

1. 1Find the NOC code that matches your duties and check whether it is on the high-wage list, and at which level.
2. 2If you have a qualifying job offer that is not in your Express Entry profile, add it before 3 November. IRCC has published instructions for entering it; follow them exactly.
3. 3Check your Canadian work experience in the profile is complete and uses the right NOC code. Those points are added automatically.
4. 4If your status in Canada is running out, plan for a short gap in invitations and keep your temporary status valid.

What happens to cut-off scores

Invitations are paused for up to two weeks while every score in the pool is recalculated. Some candidates will jump by 50 to 100 points, so the number of high scorers rises and cut-offs, especially in Canadian Experience Class draws, are likely to go up for a while. Higher cut-offs do not always mean fewer invitations, but a high-wage job or offer now gives you a clear edge.

What has not changed yet

• Points for French and for a spouse or partner were part of IRCC's consultation, but this announcement does not change them.
• Plans to replace the Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class and Federal Skilled Trades programs with one stream need new regulations and are expected in 2027.
• Category-based draws for 2027 are usually announced early in the year.

General information only, not advice for your situation. Rules, fees and thresholds change; we confirm what applies at your consultation.