Key takeaways
- IRCC announced the change on 16 October 2026. It takes effect on 3 November 2026.
- A Labour Market Impact Assessment is no longer required for a qualifying job offer to earn Express Entry points.
- High-wage means an occupation whose median wage is at least 1.3 times the median wage of the Canadian workforce. It depends on the occupation, not your own salary.
- Candidates already in the pool will have their scores recalculated, and draws may pause for up to two weeks while that happens.
On 16 October 2026 IRCC announced a change to how Express Entry rewards job offers and Canadian work experience. It starts on 3 November 2026 and is a significant change for skilled workers who have or are seeking a Canadian job offer.
What is changing in Express Entry
- Points will be awarded for Canadian work experience and for qualifying job offers in high-wage occupations.
- An LMIA is no longer required for a qualifying job offer to earn Express Entry points or to meet the job offer requirement of the Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades programs. IRCC will still review offers to check they are genuine.
- Eligibility depends on the occupation. A high-wage occupation is one whose median wage is at least 1.3 times the median wage of the overall Canadian workforce.
- Examples reported include engineering, skilled trades, healthcare, technology and education occupations.
What happens to people already in the pool
- Scores of candidates already in the pool will be recalculated automatically.
- If you want job offer points, update your profile before 3 November 2026.
- Invitation rounds may pause for up to two weeks while scores are recalculated.
What this means for skilled workers in India
Removing the LMIA makes it easier for an employer to offer a job that counts, since the employer no longer has to go through that step. It does not remove the need for a genuine job offer from a Canadian employer, and the occupation must be on the high-wage list. For most candidates, language scores, age, education and experience still drive the CRS score.
- 1Check whether your occupation is likely to be treated as high-wage.
- 2Calculate your current CRS score so you can see what a job offer would add.
- 3Update your Express Entry profile before 3 November if you hold a qualifying offer.
- 4Ask us before you pay any agent or employer for a job offer. Genuine offers are not sold.
See your CRS score now
Know your score before the change, so you can see what it does for you.
General information only, not advice for your situation. Rules, fees and deadlines change; we confirm what applies at your consultation.
Frequently asked questions
When does the Express Entry change start?
Is an LMIA still needed for Express Entry job offer points?
What counts as a high-wage occupation?
Do I need to update my profile?
Will Express Entry draws pause?
Does this help someone applying from India without Canadian experience?
Official sources
- IRCC — Express Entry
- Erickson Immigration Group — Canada expands Express Entry points for high-wage occupations
General information only, current at the date shown. It is not immigration advice for your circumstances. Information on this site is general guidance only and not legal, migration or investment advice. Rules, fees and occupation lists change frequently — always confirm current requirements with the relevant government authority before acting.
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Who will assist you
Sumit Kumar
Chartered Accountant & Australian Registered Migration Agent · MARN 1803385
I migrated from India to Melbourne as a skilled migrant in 2005 and became an Australian citizen in 2010, so I know first-hand what it takes to rebuild a career and a life in a new country — the paperwork and the waiting, and also the job search, the loneliness and the pressure of starting over far from home. Since 2013 I have advised individuals, families and businesses on migration and cross-border moves, combining migration casework with a Chartered Accountant's view of tax, funds and business structure.
