After November 19, 2016, Canada changed the educational requirements, occupational requirements and application process to qualify for the Express Entry pool.
“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,” said John McCallum, Minister of the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC).
“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.”
Let’s take a closer look at some of these changes.
Education Requirements
Prior to the changes, an applicant’s education would only be worth points if it had been assessed to a Canadian equivalent. And former international students with some education from Canada saw no additional benefit.
Now, however, the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) will award:
- Points will be awarded for study in Canada above high school, and
- 15 points for a one- or two-year diploma or certificate
- 30 points for a degree, diploma or certificate of three years or longer, or for a Master’s professional or doctoral degree of at least one academic year
Employment Requirements
Prior to November of last year, the CRS gave you 600 points for permanent jobs that were supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Now, however, you can earn:
- 50 points if you have a valid job offer in an NOC 0, A or B occupation
- 200 points if you have a valid job offer in an NOC 00 occupation
This change is aimed at making it easier for applicants who don’t have a job offer (but do have skills) to compete against applicants who have a firm offer. Also, the job offer now only needs to be a minimum of one year from the time you become a permanent resident.
At the same time, people in Canada on an LMIA exempt work permit will be able to carry that LMIA exemption under Express Entry, including those:
- Here under the North American Free Trade Agreement
- Here under a federal-provincial agreement
- Here under Mobilité Francophone, or
- Are an intra-company transferee
Take a look at our regularly updated Latest Express Entry Draw Updates and our Canada PNP Draw Updates.
