Canada has introduced significant changes to its immigration selection system, revising the way candidates are assessed under Express Entry for permanent residence (PR). Under the new policy, foreign nationals working in Canada with qualifying experience in higher-paying jobs, or those holding eligible high-paying job offers, may receive additional points towards their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores.
The changes came into effect on November 3, 2026, as Canadian immigration authorities continue to reshape the country’s immigration framework.
Under the revised system, candidates will no longer compete solely on the basis of educational qualifications, language test results and general work experience. Greater importance will also be placed on professional skills, Canadian work experience and salary levels.
Higher-Paying Jobs Could Earn Additional CRS Points
Under the new system, candidates with at least 12 months of qualifying work experience in Canada may receive additional points depending on their employment salary level.
Eligible applicants could receive 20, 40 or up to 70 additional CRS points, depending on the applicable criteria.
Similarly, candidates with qualifying high-paying job offers in Canada may receive 50, 70 or 100 additional points, depending on the salary category.
However, candidates cannot combine points from both qualifying work experience and job offers. Instead, they will receive points under whichever of the two categories provides the greater benefit.
Changes to the LMIA Requirement
Another important feature of the new policy is the removal of the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) requirement for certain qualifying job offers when claiming additional Express Entry points, subject to specific conditions.
The change is intended to simplify the assessment process for eligible employment opportunities and recognise candidates whose professional skills can contribute to Canada’s economy.
However, this does not mean that every job offer will automatically qualify. Immigration authorities will continue to assess employers, the legitimacy of employment opportunities, candidates’ qualifications and the terms of individual job offers.
Canada’s Permanent Residence Targets and Existing Temporary Residents
Under Canada’s 2026–2028 immigration plan, the federal government has set a target of stabilising permanent resident admissions at 380,000 annually.
The government also intends to reduce the number of temporary residents, aiming to bring their share below five per cent of Canada’s total population by the end of 2027.
As part of this strategy, the government has also introduced an initiative to transition up to 33,000 temporary foreign workers already living in Canada to permanent residence during 2026 and 2027.
Additionally, a two-year plan aims to prioritise the processing of approximately 115,000 permanent residence cases involving individuals who have been granted protected person status in Canada.
What the New Immigration Policy Means for Foreign Applicants
Canada’s revised immigration direction suggests that the government increasingly wants to prioritise people who are already established in the Canadian labour market rather than relying primarily on bringing larger numbers of international students and temporary workers into the country.
For prospective immigrants from Pakistan, India and other countries, the changes indicate that academic qualifications and strong language test scores alone may not be enough to secure an invitation.
The nature of employment, professional experience, salary level and alignment with Canada’s labour market needs are becoming increasingly important factors.
Nevertheless, the new policy does not guarantee permanent residence to every applicant. Invitations under Express Entry will continue to depend on eligibility requirements, individual CRS scores, the type of immigration draw and the applicable CRS cut-off score.
