Canada Ends Job Offer Points for PR: What It Means for Indian Immigrants

Indian students aiming for better career opportunities in Canada may soon face tougher hurdles, as the Canadian government has announced significant changes to its Express Entry system. Beginning spring 2025, candidates applying for permanent residency (PR) under this route will no longer receive additional points for having a job offer.

The decision, which Immigration Minister Marc Miller described as a measure to curb fraud, is expected to disproportionately impact Indian applicants. With Indian nationals constituting the largest cohort within the Express Entry pool, this shift may reshape how they strategize their PR applications.

Why the Change?

The new policy stems from increasing concerns about fraud within Canada’s immigration framework. The current system rewards candidates with valid job offers through the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process, a document that Canadian employers must obtain before hiring foreign workers. However, this process has been exploited through illegal buying and selling of LMIAs, leading to systemic abuses.

Minister Miller emphasized, “We are taking important steps to reduce fraud while continuing to attract the skilled talent our economy needs. Immigration has always been a cornerstone of Canada’s success, and we remain committed to welcoming the best and brightest to Canada so that everyone has access to the quality jobs, homes, and supports they need to thrive.”

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) clarified that the new policy is aimed at creating a fairer immigration system.

“This temporary measure will reduce fraud by removing the incentive to illegally buy or sell labour market impact assessments to improve a candidate’s chances of being selected to come to Canada as a permanent resident,” IRCC said in a statement.

Canada’s Implications for Indian Applicants

For Indian students and professionals, the elimination of job-offer points in the Express Entry system represents a significant shift. In 2022, Indian nationals accounted for nearly half of all Express Entry applicants, with 40,775 of the 85,760 candidates being from India. From January to October 2023, Indians made up 31,165 of the 67,520 applicants.

This change will affect not only Indian candidates with job offers but also those currently working in Canada under temporary permits. While individuals already invited to apply or with applications in progress will remain unaffected, new candidates entering the system after spring 2025 will need to recalibrate their strategies.

A Changing Immigration Landscape

The Express Entry system is Canada’s flagship pathway for skilled immigrants. It manages applications under several programs, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and parts of the Provincial Nominee Program.

In 2022, Canada amended the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, enabling authorities to prioritize candidates based on specific attributes such as French language skills or niche work experience. These adjustments align with Canada’s economic priorities, ensuring a robust and responsive immigration system.

“This system ensures that Canada has the skilled workers it needs to grow our economy. These changes support a responsive, well-managed, and fair immigration system,” IRCC stated.

Also Read:Sivasangari Subramaniam: From Childhood Dreamer to World No. 9 in Squash