Big Changes to Express Entry

Changes include:

• Increase in the amount of economic immigrants accepted to 172,500 a 7.4% increase from 2016
• Down from 600 points, a job offer from a Canadian employer will be worth 200 or 50 CRS points, depending on the NOC code of the occupation.
• International Students in Canada now awarded extra points after completing their studies.
• More time to apply to permanent residence after being accepted for express entry

The objective of these improvements to Express Entry is to support the Global Skills Strategy, contribute to Canada’s economic growth, drive innovation leading to new businesses, and assists employers in meeting labour market needs.

What this means for you?

If you do not have a Canadian Job offer it means that you have a higher chance of meeting the minimum CRS cut off.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada Released this statement:  Highly skilled immigrants, such as those who come through the Express Entry system, help strengthen Canada’s competitiveness in the global marketplace and are able to quickly contribute to Canada’s economy and society. They help create jobs, spur innovation and provide opportunities that benefit Canada’s middle class.

“We have committed to doing more to attract highly skilled immigrants to come to Canada and become permanent residents, because this is important to build our economy and strengthen our society. I am confident that the changes to Express Entry will be one of the many positive outcomes of the changes we will be bringing to our immigration system.”

John McCallum, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

The upcoming changes to Express Entry reduce the importance of obtaining an LMIA for high-skilled workers. Some workers already in Canada on a temporary LMIA-exempt work permit and who want to stay permanently will no longer need a LMIA to get job-offer points in the Express Entry system. This includes people working in Canada under the terms of the North American free-trade agreement and workers in Canada temporarily under an intra-company transfer. Applicants must have been working in Canada for at least a year to apply. – Michelle Globe and Mail.

“Whether you get selected or not selected can be determined usually between 30-50 points, so while express entry is becoming more accessible it is still necessary to make sure you are achieving the highest score possible.”  Marwan Zarif Certified Immigration Consultant at Canada By Choice