Canada revives Express Entry job offer points; Indian workers in high-wage jobs could gain an edge

In a significant move, Canada is modifying its approach to ranking skilled immigrants applying for permanent residency, set to be implemented by November 2026. The revised system will favour candidates with Canadian work experience in high-paying sectors and valid job offers. This policy aims to draw in skilled workers capable of contributing positively to the economy.

Canada is changing how it ranks skilled immigrants applying for permanent residency, with additional points for eligible Canadian work experience in high-wage occupations and the return of points for qualifying high-wage job offers from November 3, 2026. The changes could improve the chances of Indian professionals already working in Canada, particularly those in eligible technology, engineering, healthcare and finance occupations. However, applicants without Canadian work experience, international graduates in lower-paid jobs and workers in occupations that do not meet the new wage criteria could find it harder to compete.

In a report published by journalist Lubna Kably outlined the changes and their implications for Indian applicants, drawing on inputs from Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs).

Canada's immigration department, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), said the revised system is intended to attract and retain skilled newcomers who can contribute to the country's economy and labour market.

Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab said, "Canada is competing globally for people with the skills we need to build a prosperous economy and stronger public services. These changes will help us identify, attract and retain the skilled newcomers who are best positioned to succeed in Canada, while making the Express Entry system more targeted and responsive to our labour market needs."

How the new Express Entry points will work

Express Entry manages applications under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program and Canadian Experience Class, as well as a portion of the Provincial Nominee Program. Candidates are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), and those who meet the cut-off in an invitation round can apply for permanent residency.

Under the revised system, eligible candidates can receive up to 70 additional CRS points for Canadian work experience in a qualifying high-wage occupation, on top of the points they already receive for the duration of their Canadian work experience.

The additional points will depend on the occupation's wage benchmark:

Wage benchmark for the occupation

At least twice the overall Canadian workforce's median wage

At least 1.5 times the median wage, where the 70-point tier does not apply

At least 1.3 times the median wage, where the higher tiers do not apply

Candidates must generally have at least 12 months, or 1,560 hours, of qualifying Canadian work experience in eligible occupations to receive these additional points.

Qualifying high-wage job offers will also earn points. An offer at least twice the median wage benchmark can attract 100 points; one at least 1.5 times the benchmark can earn 70 points; and one at least 1.3 times the benchmark can earn 50 points.

Candidates cannot combine the additional points for high-wage Canadian work experience with those for a qualifying job offer. IRCC will award whichever route gives the higher score. The maximum under the new Labour Market Integration factor is 150 points for candidates without an accompanying spouse or common-law partner and 140 points for those with one.

Importantly, the wage test is based on the occupation's National Occupational Classification (NOC) benchmark, not simply the salary an individual applicant earns. Negotiating a higher salary will not, by itself, move someone into a higher points tier if the occupation does not meet the relevant threshold.

LMIA requirement removed, but job offers will still be checked

From November 3, a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) will no longer be required for qualifying job offers used to obtain the new Express Entry points or meet job-offer requirements under the Federal Skilled Worker Program and Federal Skilled Trades Program.

The removal of the requirement does not mean every offer will automatically qualify. IRCC says officers will continue checking whether employers are actively operating their businesses, whether the positions meet genuine employment needs, whether employers can fulfil the terms of their offers, and whether candidates are qualified to do the work. Employers must also comply with applicable employment and recruitment laws.

Kubeir Kamal, a regulated Canadian immigration consultant quoted in Kably's report, described the change as "the biggest change to how Express Entry ranks candidates since job offer points were removed in 2025".

He said Indian professionals already working in Canada in software, engineering, nursing and finance could benefit. As an example, he said a software engineer with three years of Canadian experience could gain 40 additional points under the new rules.

However, Kamal warned that workers in occupations that do not qualify for the new high-wage points could lose ground as other candidates' scores rise. He specifically cited cooks, truck drivers, retail supervisors and construction electricians, as well as international graduates.

He also raised concerns about fraudulent job offers. "A genuine Canadian employer will never ask you to pay for a job offer. If someone does, walk away and report it," he said.

Who could gain or lose?

Ken Nickel-Lane, another consultant cited by The Times of India, described the changes as "a rather smart shift in policy on many levels". He argued that attracting higher-paid professionals could increase Canada's tax base and consumer spending. He also suggested the revised system could make Canada more attractive to senior employees considering transfers to Canadian divisions of multinational companies.

Rattandeep Singh said the policy shifts the emphasis from simply having a job offer to whether a candidate's work is in demand and well paid. He cautioned that the wage classification depends on the occupation's NOC benchmark, rather than the individual's salary alone. He also warned that fraud could take the form of fake high-wage job offers even as the LMIA process is removed.

Gurpreet Oshan said the changes could improve the prospects of some skilled workers but would not benefit everyone equally. Applicants outside Canada without local work experience or qualifying job offers may face greater competition. She also questioned whether a wage-based system would always identify genuine labour shortages, since some occupations in demand may not meet the new wage thresholds.

"Applicants should carefully review how the changes affect their profiles before making major employment or immigration decisions. A higher CRS score may improve their chances of receiving an invitation, but the responsibility to demonstrate eligibility remains unchanged," Oshan said, according to Kably's report.

Talha Mohani described Canada's direction as a move from a "volume-driven system to a precision-driven system". He said removing the LMIA requirement could reduce opportunities for the sale of fraudulent LMIAs, but stressed that the occupation's wage benchmark, rather than an applicant's individual salary, would determine the relevant points tier.

India remains Canada's largest source country for permanent residents

Data cited in Kably's report show that India was Canada's largest source country for permanent residents in 2025 and remained in the top position in the first half of 2026.

Rank

Country (2025)

Permanent residents in 2025

Country (January-June 2026)

Permanent residents (January-June 2026)

India

98,830

India

44,335

Philippines

25,230

Philippines

13,475

Cameroon

22,925

China

9,630

Source: The Times of India reached out to Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) to understand how the changes could affect Indian applicants, who stands to gain or lose, and what candidates should do before the new rules take effect.

The figures underline the significance of Canada's immigration rules for Indian applicants, although the new points will affect candidates differently depending on their occupation, work history and eligibility.

What candidates should do before November 3

IRCC says candidates already in the Express Entry pool will have their scores recalculated when the changes take effect. The process could take up to two weeks, during which invitation rounds will be paused.

Candidates seeking points for a qualifying job offer should review and update their Express Entry profiles before November 3, ensuring the required information is accurate. They should also check whether their occupation appears on IRCC's eligible high-wage list and understand how the wage benchmark applies to it.

The changes do not guarantee an invitation to apply for permanent residency. Candidates must still meet programme requirements and score sufficiently high in the relevant invitation round. For Indian applicants, the key question is whether their occupation and Canadian work experience qualify under the revised rules.