Express Entry CRS Changes on November 3, 2026
In short: from November 3, 2026, Canadian work experience or a job offer in a high-wage occupation can add up to 70 or 100 CRS points, and job offers no longer need an LMIA. Calculate your score →
What's changing
Job offer points were removed from the Comprehensive Ranking System on March 25, 2025. On November 3, 2026 they return in a new form, tied to high-wage occupations, alongside new points for Canadian experience in those occupations. IRCC calls the combined factor the labour market integration factor.
1. High-wage Canadian work experience
With at least 12 months of Canadian work experience in the last 10 years in a high-wage occupation (TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3), you earn extra points on top of your regular Canadian work experience points:
| Occupation's wage level | Extra points |
|---|---|
| 2× the median wage or more | +70 |
| 1.5× the median wage or more | +40 |
| 1.3× the median wage or more | +20 |
2. Qualifying job offer in a high-wage occupation
| Occupation's wage level | Points |
|---|---|
| 2× the median wage or more | 100 |
| 1.5× the median wage or more | 70 |
| 1.3× the median wage or more | 50 |
The offer must generally be full-time, continuous and last at least one year after you become a permanent resident. Special rules apply to skilled trades and to physicians providing publicly funded services.
3. One or the other, not both
If you qualify for both, you get whichever gives more points. The factor is capped at 150 points for single candidates and 140 with an accompanying spouse or partner.
4. No more LMIA for qualifying job offers
From November 3, 2026, a Labour Market Impact Assessment is not needed for a qualifying job offer to earn points. A temporary public policy also removes the LMIA requirement for job offers used to qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades programs. IRCC still checks that every job offer is genuine.
What is a "high-wage occupation"?
It depends on your job's NOC code and national median wage data, not your personal salary. IRCC publishes the list of occupations at each level (1.3×, 1.5× and 2× the median wage). IRCC's list has 186 occupations. Search the full list with our high-wage occupation checker to see your tier and points.
Examples
| Candidate | Before Nov 3 | From Nov 3 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single, 29, master's, CLB 9, 3 years Canadian experience in a 2× occupation | 483 | 553 | +70 |
| Single, 29, master's, CLB 9, no Canadian experience, job offer in a 2× occupation | 419 | 519 | +100 |
| Same profile, but the job is not in a high-wage occupation | 419 | 419 | 0 |
Estimates from our CRS calculator, which already supports the new rules.
Timeline
- October 2026: IRCC announces the change.
- Before November 3: make sure your Express Entry profile includes your job offer and the correct NOC codes for your Canadian work experience.
- November 3, 2026: new rules take effect. IRCC recalculates every profile; this can take up to two weeks, and draws are paused meanwhile.
- After recalculation: draws resume with the new scores. Watch the latest draws.
Who benefits most
- Workers in Canada in well-paid TEER 0–3 occupations, such as many tech, engineering, finance and health jobs.
- Candidates with an offer from a Canadian employer who couldn't get an LMIA.
- People already working in Canada, who may see their score rise without doing anything new.
FAQ
What changes in Express Entry on November 3, 2026?
Candidates can earn extra CRS points for at least 12 months of Canadian work experience in a high-wage occupation (+20, +40 or +70) or for a qualifying job offer in a high-wage occupation (50, 70 or 100 points), whichever gives more. A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is no longer required for a qualifying job offer.
Can I get points for both high-wage experience and a job offer?
No. You receive whichever gives more points. The combined factor is capped at 150 points for single candidates and 140 with an accompanying spouse.
Is a high-wage occupation based on my salary?
No. It is based on your occupation's NOC code and national median wage data, not your personal salary.
Will there be Express Entry draws in early November 2026?
IRCC says it will pause invitation rounds for up to two weeks after November 3 while it recalculates the CRS score of every profile in the pool.
Sources
Final details may change when IRCC publishes the Ministerial Instructions. We'll update this page and the calculator the same day.