Key takeaways
- From November 3, 2026, no LMIA is needed for a job offer to earn CRS points or to meet FSW/FST job offer requirements.
- CRS points (50, 70 or 100) only go to offers in one of 186 high-wage occupations. Other TEER 0–3 offers can still help FSW/FST eligibility.
- The offer must generally be full-time, continuous and last at least one year after you become a PR.
- An officer checks the offer is genuine when you apply for PR. An LMIA adds no points or priority.
- IRCC's interim instructions: record the offer, answer 'Yes' to the LMIA question and use placeholder LMIA number 00000.
From November 3, 2026, Express Entry no longer requires a labour market impact assessment (LMIA) for job offers. That's a big change for employers and candidates, and it comes with new CRS points for job offers in high-wage occupations. Here's what counts and how to add an offer to your profile. For the full set of changes, read our news story.
What changes for job offers
| Before November 3, 2026 | From November 3, 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| CRS points for a job offer | 0 (removed March 25, 2025) | 50, 70 or 100 in a high-wage occupation |
| LMIA needed for CRS points | Not applicable | No |
| LMIA needed for FSW/FST job offer requirement | Yes, unless exempt | No (temporary public policy) |
| Extra credit for having an LMIA | Not applicable | None, no points or priority |
| Employer and position | Specific rules | Existing or new employer, existing or new position |
Which job offers earn CRS points
Only offers in a high-wage occupation earn CRS points:
| Occupation level | CRS points |
|---|---|
| Level 1 (median wage at least 2× the average) | 100 |
| Level 2 (at least 1.5×) | 70 |
| Level 3 (at least 1.3×) | 50 |
Check the offer's NOC code in our high-wage occupations list. Job offer points don't stack with Canadian work experience points: IRCC gives you whichever is higher, up to 150 (140 with a spouse). See how the points combine.
FSW and FST eligibility is a separate test
For Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades eligibility, a qualifying job offer is not limited to high-wage occupations. It can be any eligible TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 job that meets the program's requirements. So an offer can help you qualify for FSW or FST and still earn zero CRS points. A temporary public policy exempts candidates invited on or after November 3, 2026 from LMIA requirements for these job offers, if they meet its conditions.
What makes a job offer valid
IRCC says a qualifying offer generally must be:
- Full-time and continuous,
- for work in Canada lasting at least one year after you become a permanent resident,
- in an eligible occupation (high-wage for CRS points; TEER 0–3 for FSW/FST eligibility),
- and genuine. Specific rules apply to skilled trades and to physicians providing publicly funded services.
What the officer checks
There's no LMIA, so the check happens when you apply for permanent residence. An officer must be satisfied that:
- the employer is actively engaged in the business making the offer,
- the offer reflects the employer's reasonable employment needs,
- the employer can reasonably meet the offer's terms,
- you are qualified, able to do the work and likely to accept and carry it out, and
- the employer complies with federal and provincial employment and recruitment laws.
A revoked offer no longer qualifies.
How to add a job offer to your profile before November 3
IRCC asks candidates who want job offer points to update their profile before November 3, 2026, so the offer is counted when the pool is re-scored. The online form hasn't been updated yet, so IRCC gives interim steps for an offer without an LMIA:
- Sign in and open your Express Entry profile. Under Work history, record the job offer.
- For "Was a positive LMIA issued for the job offer in Canada?", answer Yes.
- Enter these placeholder values exactly:
| Field | Enter |
|---|---|
| LMIA number | 00000 |
| LMIA issuance date | 2026-01-01 |
| LMIA expiry date | 2029-01-01 |
Then check the NOC code of the offer matches the duties in the offer letter, and keep a signed copy of the letter. You'll need it with your PR application if you're invited.
Who benefits most
- Candidates outside Canada with an offer in a listed occupation, who had no realistic way to get CRS points from an offer since 2025.
- Workers in Canada in an unlisted NOC who get an offer in a listed one. A Level 2 offer (70) beats 1 to 3 years of regular Canadian experience (40 to 64 points).
- Employers who couldn't justify the cost and time of an LMIA for a permanent hire.
If you already have 12 months in a high-wage occupation, your experience option will often be worth as much as or more than an offer. Our calculator compares both and uses the higher one, as IRCC does.
Frequently asked questions
Do Express Entry job offers need an LMIA after November 3, 2026?
No. From November 3, 2026, an LMIA isn't required for a job offer to earn CRS points or to meet Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades job offer requirements. An officer assesses whether the offer is genuine when you apply for permanent residence.
How many CRS points is a job offer worth now?
From November 3, 2026: 100 points for a Level 1 high-wage occupation, 70 for Level 2 and 50 for Level 3. Offers in occupations that aren't on the high-wage list earn no CRS points. Job offer points aren't added to your Canadian work experience points; you get whichever is higher.
What LMIA number do I enter for a job offer without an LMIA?
IRCC's interim instructions are to answer Yes to the positive LMIA question and enter LMIA number 00000, issuance date 2026-01-01 and expiry date 2029-01-01, until the online system is updated.
Does my LMIA give me extra points?
No. From November 3, 2026, having an LMIA adds no CRS points and no priority. What matters is that the offer is valid, genuine and, for CRS points, in a high-wage occupation.
Can a job offer help my FSW eligibility even if it's not high-wage?
Yes. For FSW and FST eligibility, a qualifying job offer can be in any eligible TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupation. It just won't earn CRS points unless the occupation is on the high-wage list.
Official sources
Figures and rules in this guide are checked against IRCC program pages. If anything conflicts, trust the government page.
Canadian PRLedger is a free tracking and calculator tool — not a law firm, not an RCIC practice, and not affiliated with IRCC. These guides summarize public program rules for planning purposes only. For case-specific advice, speak with a licensed immigration consultant or lawyer.
