Big news for international students and graduates planning to stay in Canada: from November 3, 2026, Express Entry is putting more weight on Canadian work experience and job offers in high-wage occupations, and it is removing the LMIA requirement for qualifying job offers. For many graduates working in fields like technology, engineering, and health care, that could mean a higher CRS score and a better chance of receiving an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
Note: Extra CRS points do not guarantee an invitation. Invitations still depend on the requirements and cut-off score for each Express Entry draw. Always check the official IRCC Express Entry pages for the latest information.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not immigration or legal advice. It is based on the official announcement from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): Canada refocusing Express Entry on top talent that drives economic growth (October 16, 2026). Immigration rules can change, so always check the official IRCC website or speak with a licensed immigration consultant about your situation.
The Two Key Changes
More Points for High-Wage Jobs
Starting November 3, 2026, candidates earn additional CRS points for eligible Canadian work experience or a qualifying job offer in a high-wage occupation.
No LMIA Needed for Job Offers
From the same date, a qualifying job offer no longer needs an LMIA to earn the new points or to meet job offer requirements under the Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades programs.
Why This Matters for International Students
- Your Canadian work experience counts for more: If you work in a high-wage occupation after graduating, for example on a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), you can earn extra points on top of the points you already get for your years of experience. That can boost your chances of an ITA.
- Job offers are easier to use: Before, employers often needed an LMIA, a lengthy approval process, for a job offer to count. Now, if you have a genuine, qualifying job offer in a high-wage occupation, it can earn you points without an LMIA.
What Is a High-Wage Occupation?
An occupation counts as high-wage if the median wage of everyone in Canada working in that job is at least 1.3 times the median wage of the overall Canadian workforce. It is based on your occupation code (NOC), not on your own salary.
IRCC groups high-wage occupations into three levels. Here are some examples from IRCC's current list:
See the full list on IRCC's high-wage occupations page. IRCC will update it using wage data from the previous three years.
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How the New CRS Points Work
You can earn points in one of two ways. If you qualify for both, you get whichever gives you more points. They are not added together.
Option 1: Canadian Work Experience in a High-Wage Occupation
You still earn points for how long you have worked in Canada, up to 80 points for five years. If you have at least 12 months of eligible experience in a high-wage occupation, you also earn extra points:
Together, you could earn up to 150 points for Canadian work experience. Eligible experience generally needs to be in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 job, gained in Canada within the last 10 years.
Option 2: A Qualifying Job Offer in a High-Wage Occupation
A qualifying job offer must generally be for full-time, continuous work in Canada for at least one year after you become a permanent resident.
Tip! Thinking about which program to study? Choosing a field that leads to a high-wage occupation, such as software development, engineering, or nursing, could help you earn these extra points after you graduate and gain Canadian work experience.
What "No LMIA" Means for Job Offers
Until now, many job offers needed an LMIA, which shows that hiring a foreign worker will not harm the Canadian labour market. From November 3, 2026, a qualifying job offer will not need an LMIA to earn the new points. A temporary public policy also removes LMIA requirements for job offers used to qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades programs, for candidates invited from that date.
IRCC will still check that every job offer is genuine. An officer will look at whether:
- The employer is actively running the business behind the offer
- The offer matches the employer's real hiring needs
- The employer can meet the terms of the offer
- You are qualified for the job and likely to take it
- The employer follows federal and provincial employment and recruitment laws
Warning! Never pay for a job offer. Offers that are not genuine can lead to refusal and a finding of misrepresentation, which can ban you from applying for years. If a job offer is withdrawn, it no longer qualifies.
What to Do Before November 3, 2026
- If you are already in the Express Entry pool: Your CRS score, including points for Canadian work experience, will be recalculated automatically. You do not need to do anything for this part.
- If you have a job offer: Update your Express Entry profile with all the required job offer details before November 3, 2026 to be considered for the new points.
- Expect a short pause in draws: IRCC says recalculating scores may take up to two weeks, and invitation rounds will be paused during that time.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The changes take effect on November 3, 2026. Candidates with a job offer should update their profiles before that date.
With at least 12 months of eligible experience in a high-wage occupation, you can earn 20, 40, or 70 extra points, depending on the occupation's wage level. Combined with points for the length of your experience, you could earn up to 150 points.
A qualifying job offer in a high-wage occupation is worth 50, 70, or 100 points, depending on the occupation's wage level. If you also qualify for work experience points, you receive whichever option gives you more points.
No, not for a qualifying job offer from November 3, 2026. IRCC will still check that your job offer is genuine and meets program requirements.
No. It is based on the median wage for your occupation (NOC code) across Canada, not on what you personally earn.
These changes reward the skills and Canadian experience that many international graduates build after their studies. If you are planning your future in Canada, choosing the right program now can set you up for in-demand careers and a stronger Express Entry profile later.
Find PGWP-Eligible Programs
Choose a program that leads to a Post-Graduation Work Permit, so you can gain the Canadian work experience Express Entry rewards.