Canada will add Express Entry points for high-wage Canadian work experience and job offers from November 3, 2026, and a qualifying job offer will no longer need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab announced the change on October 16, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
- Job offers: 50, 70 or 100 points, depending on whether the occupation pays at least 1.3, 1.5 or 2 times the Canadian median wage.
- Canadian work experience: 20, 40 or 70 points for 12 months or more in those occupations. A candidate who qualifies for both gets the higher figure.
- LMIA: not needed for a qualifying job offer to earn these points. IRCC says it will still check that offers are genuine.
- Candidates in the pool: scores are recalculated automatically, but job offer points need a profile update before November 3. Invitation rounds are paused during recalculation, which may take up to two weeks.
Not sure how the new points apply to your profile?
The changes are final. IRCC’s wider consultation on Express Entry reforms is not: its October 15 report announces no decisions.
We are tracking the story as it develops on our Express Entry points changes tracker. For analysis of how the changes affect a profile, see our list of high-wage occupations by tier.
Sources
- IRCC news release, October 16, 2026
- IRCC backgrounder: Changes to Express Entry for high-wage occupations
This article is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Rules change, so confirm details with IRCC before acting. See our disclaimer.
Published October 26, 2026. Last updated October 26, 2026.
