On December 23, 2024, the Canadian government announced a significant measure to strengthen the integrity of its immigration system, Express Entry. As of spring 2025, applicants will no longer receive additional points for a validated job offer. This decision is aimed at reducing fraud linked to the illegal sale or purchase of Labour Market Impact Studies (LMIS), often used to unduly increase applicants' chances of selection.
What is Express Entry?
Express Entry is Canada's main online system for managing skilled worker immigration applications. It combines three federal programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program and the Canadian Experience Class. Applicants create an online profile and are ranked according to the Global Ranking System (GRS), which assigns points based on criteria such as age, level of education, work experience and language skills.
Ideal profile for the Express Entry system
The Express Entry system favors applicants who are most likely to succeed economically in Canada. An ideal profile generally includes :
- Age Candidates aged between 20 and 29 get the most points for this criterion.
- Education : A university degree at Master's or PhD level is highly valued.
- Professional experience Qualified work experience, particularly in Canada, is a major asset.
- Language skills An advanced command of English and/or French significantly increases the score.
These combined factors enable candidates to achieve a high score in the GCS, increasing their chances of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residency.
Canadian government immigration priorities
Canada strives to attract immigrants who meet the country's economic needs. Current priorities include :
- Responding to labor shortages By targeting key sectors such as information technology, healthcare and skilled trades.
- Encouraging Francophone immigration To support Francophone communities in minority settings and promote bilingualism.
- Reinforcing system integrity By implementing measures to prevent fraud and ensure the fairness of the process.
These priorities are designed to ensure that immigration makes a positive contribution to the Canadian economy and society.
Future changes and their implications
The removal of extra points for Express Entry job offers, scheduled for spring 2025, will have several implications:
- Fraud reduction By eliminating the incentive to obtain EIMTs illegally, the government aims to clean up the selection process.
- Impact on candidates The new "Job Offers": Those who were counting on job offers to boost their score will need to strengthen other aspects of their profile, such as language skills or work experience.
- Employer adaptation Employers will have to adjust their international recruitment strategies, as job offers will no longer carry the same weight in the system.
It is essential for potential candidates to keep abreast of these changes and adjust their application accordingly.
Conclusion
Canada remains committed to welcoming skilled workers to support our economy, while ensuring the integrity and fairness of our immigration system. The changes to Express Entry reflect this dual ambition.
Contact us for a personalized assessment and advice tailored to your situation. An initial consultation can help you navigate the process efficiently and maximize your chances of success.
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