Canada Brings Back Job-Offer Points in Express Entry From 3 Nov

By DiasporaWorks EditorialOctober 19, 2026

From 3 November, Express Entry gives up to 100 extra points for high-wage job offers or Canadian experience, and job offers no longer need an LMIA. What changes and what to do.

Canada has announced the biggest change to Express Entry scoring since job-offer points were removed in March 2025. For African professionals already in the pool, or thinking of applying, it changes what makes a profile competitive: a job offer or Canadian experience in a well-paid occupation now counts for a lot, and employers no longer need a costly labour market test to make that offer count.

What was announced

On 16 October 2026, Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab announced changes to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), the score used to rank Express Entry candidates. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the changes take effect on 3 November 2026:

New points for high-wage work. Candidates can earn extra points for a qualifying job offer, or for Canadian work experience, in a "high-wage occupation".
No LMIA needed. A qualifying job offer no longer needs a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), either to earn the new points or to meet the job-offer requirements of the Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades programs. IRCC says it will still check that offers are genuine.
Draws pause briefly. Scores of everyone in the pool will be recalculated automatically, which IRCC says may take up to two weeks. Invitation rounds are paused during that time.

How many points?

IRCC's news release does not list the point values; they are on IRCC's Express Entry pages and were reported by CIC News and Canadian HR Reporter. The new section, called the Labour Market Integration Factor, is capped at 100 points, and you get points for whichever route scores higher (the two do not add up):

Job offer in an occupation paid at least 1.3 times the Canadian median wage: 50 points; at 1.5 times: 70 points; at 2 times: 100 points.
At least 12 months of full-time Canadian work experience in a high-wage occupation: 20, 40 or 70 points at the same three levels.

For context, job-offer points were removed in March 2025 after reports of fake job offers being sold to candidates. This is their return, limited to well-paid occupations.

Which jobs count as "high-wage"?

IRCC defines a high-wage occupation as one whose median wage is at least 1.3 times the median wage of the whole Canadian workforce. It is based on what the occupation typically pays, not on your own salary. IRCC names health care, skilled trades, engineering, technology and education among the fields covered, and will update the list using wage data from the previous three years.

CIC News reports that the list has 186 occupations, sorted by their National Occupational Classification (NOC) code. Examples it gives:

1.3 times: web developers and programmers (NOC 21234)
1.5 times: software developers and programmers (NOC 21232); registered nurses (NOC 31301)
2 times: lawyers (NOC 41101); specialist physicians such as surgeons (NOC 31101); veterinarians (NOC 31103)

What counts is the occupation that matches the duties in your job offer, so check the NOC code carefully.

Why it matters for African professionals

Many African nurses, engineers, software developers and finance professionals compete in Express Entry against very high cut-off scores. Until now, a job offer added nothing to the score, and before March 2025 most offers only counted with an LMIA, which many employers would not pay for. Dropping the LMIA makes it much easier for a Canadian employer to support you. The flip side: candidates without Canadian experience or a high-wage job offer may find the scores of others in the pool rising around them.

What this means for you

Already in the pool with a job offer? IRCC says you must update your profile before 3 November 2026 to receive the job-offer points. CIC News reports that IRCC's instructions ask you to tick that you have a positive LMIA, even though one is no longer required. Follow IRCC's job-offer page exactly.
Have Canadian work experience? You do not need to do anything: IRCC says existing scores are recalculated automatically.
Check your NOC code against IRCC's high-wage list. A small difference in job duties can move you between occupations.
Talking to Canadian employers? Lawyers expect IRCC to look hard at job offers. A real, full-time offer of at least one year, with clear duties and pay, is what counts. Never pay anyone for a job offer.
Expect a short pause in draws while scores are recalculated.
Keep options open. Many employers in African hubs are also hiring for the same skills: search jobs on DiasporaWorks.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Check the official sources above or speak to a qualified immigration adviser before acting.