Today, we’ll be discussing two major updates announced just yesterday by Canada’s Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC):

• The discontinuation of additional LMIA points
• The suspension of flagpoling.

Let’s dive into the details shared during an interview with Canada’s Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, on December 17.

Discontinuation of Additional LMIA Points

The IRCC has announced that job offers supported by an LMIA (Labor Market Impact Assessment) will no longer earn the additional 50 points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) used for Express Entry.

The implementation date for this change has not yet been determined.

Until now, many Express Entry applicants have used LMIA-backed job offers to increase their CRS scores. However, this method will no longer be viable in the future.

Hello! This is NohProblem Consulting, a trustworthy Canadian immigration agency.

Today, we’ll be discussing two major updates announced just yesterday by Canada’s Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC):

• The discontinuation of additional LMIA points
• The suspension of flagpoling.

Let’s dive into the details shared during an interview with Canada’s Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, on December 17.

Discontinuation of Additional LMIA Points

The IRCC has announced that job offers supported by an LMIA (Labor Market Impact Assessment) will no longer earn the additional 50 points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) used for Express Entry.

The implementation date for this change has not yet been determined.

Until now, many Express Entry applicants have used LMIA-backed job offers to increase their CRS scores. However, this method will no longer be viable in the future.

Quick Note: What is CRS?

The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is the system used by the federal government to assess Express Entry candidates. The higher the CRS score, the greater the chance of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency through Express Entry draws.

When candidates create a profile in the Express Entry system and qualify for one of the three managed immigration programs, their profiles are scored out of a total of 1,200 points based on several factors, including:

• Age
• Education
• Language proficiency
• Work experience

Core human capital factors are scored differently depending on whether the candidate applies as an individual or includes a spouse. Core factors can earn up to 600 points, with additional points available for:

• Siblings in Canada who are citizens or permanent residents
• French language ability
• Canadian education credentials
• Arranged employment (LMIA)
• Provincial or territorial nominations

With this new change, points awarded for arranged employment (LMIA) will likely be removed. Currently, candidates with LMIA-backed jobs receive 50 additional CRS points for any NOC TEER category.

Candidates can assess their chances of receiving an ITA by comparing their CRS score with the current score distribution in the Express Entry pool.

Canada uses the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system to categorize jobs. Each NOC code is assigned a TEER level (Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities) ranging from 0 (highest) to 5 (lowest).

To qualify for Express Entry, candidates must have a job in NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 – collectively referred to as “skilled occupations.”

Throughout 2024, category-based draws have often required CRS scores below 500. However, general and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws typically required scores above 500.

Minister Marc Miller first hinted at eliminating additional LMIA points on November 21. This move aims to address issues where some employers and recruiters exploit international students or foreign workers in desperate situations by selling fake job offers. Reducing the value of LMIA points is seen as a solution to prevent such exploitation.

Suspension of Flagpoling

In addition to discontinuing LMIA bonus points, the IRCC has announced the suspension of the flagpoling process.

Temporary residents will now need to apply online to extend their stay in Canada, which will reduce unnecessary strain on border officers and allow for more efficient allocation of resources.

Flagpoling is a legal process where eligible temporary residents (holders of work permits, study permits, visitor visas, or eTAs) leave Canada through a designated Port of Entry (POE) and re-enter within 24 hours to access immigration services.

This process helps applicants avoid long processing times for online or paper applications. Another advantage is the opportunity to speak directly with immigration officers to resolve issues.

However, Minister Miller noted that flagpoling consumes valuable border resources, hinders important enforcement activities, and disrupts cross-border traffic.

Advice from Immigration Experts

If LMIA-related points are removed, the CRS cutoff scores for Express Entry draws may decrease.

Therefore, applicants who haven’t created their profiles yet should act quickly to maximize their chances in the upcoming year.

Each Express Entry draw specifies the cutoff score and number of invitations. The submission date of a profile can impact eligibility due to tie-breaking rules.

For example, in the November 19 draw, the cutoff score was 539, and 400 invitations were issued.

Tie-breaking rules state that applicants with the same score (e.g., 539) who submitted profiles earlier have priority over those who submitted later.

Why Act Now?

Even if you update your Express Entry profile, the original submission date remains the same. To avoid potential challenges due to the discontinuation of LMIA points, we recommend creating your profile as soon as you meet the eligibility requirements.

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We’ve explored the recent LMIA and flagpoling changes today. Prepare smartly for stricter regulations on temporary residents with NohProblem Consulting, your trusted Canadian immigration partner!