Canada Express Entry CRS Changes November 3, 2026: New High-Wage Points and LMIA Rules

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced changes to Express Entry's Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) effective November 3, 2026. Eligible Canadian work experience and qualifying job offers in high-wage occupations will be assessed under a new Labour Market Integration factor. Candidates already in the pool should review their profiles before the change takes effect.

How the new CRS points work

Under the new factor, candidates may receive points for eligible Canadian work experience, including additional points for experience in a high-wage occupation, OR points for a qualifying high-wage job offer. They cannot combine the two categories; the higher applicable result is used. The maximum Labour Market Integration score is 150 for candidates without an accompanying spouse or common-law partner, and 140 for candidates with one.

Eligible Canadian work experience earns duration-based points (up to 80 without an accompanying spouse, or 70 with one). At least 12 months of qualifying Canadian experience in a high-wage occupation may add 20, 40 or 70 points, depending on the occupation's wage level. These extra points are based on occupation-level wage thresholds, not simply an individual's salary.

Qualifying high-wage job offers can instead earn 50, 70 or 100 CRS points when the occupation's median wage meets at least 1.3, 1.5 or 2 times the overall Canadian workforce median wage, respectively. A qualifying offer must meet the applicable full-time, continuity, duration and genuineness requirements.

What changes for LMIA requirements?

From November 3, an LMIA will no longer be required for a qualifying job offer to receive the new Express Entry points. A temporary public policy also changes how qualifying job offers establish eligibility under the Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades programs for candidates invited on or after that date, subject to its conditions. IRCC will continue to assess whether job offers are genuine; an LMIA does not itself provide additional CRS points.

What candidates should do before November 3

IRCC says existing profiles will be automatically recalculated. Candidates who want job-offer points should ensure all required job-offer details are accurate in their Express Entry profile before November 3. The recalculation may take up to two weeks, during which Express Entry invitation rounds will be paused. The updated CRS score does not guarantee an invitation to apply.

Applicants should consult IRCC's current instructions, including its temporary instructions for entering qualifying job offers without an LMIA while online forms are being updated. Candidates should not invent employment or job-offer information.

Official government sources

IRCC news release – October 16, 2026

IRCC backgrounder – Changes to Express Entry for high-wage occupations

IRCC guidance – 2026 changes to CRS points and job offers

This article provides general information, not individual immigration advice.