As of November 3, 2026, we’re changing how we award points under the Express Entry
Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) and job offer requirements.
The system will recalculate points in existing profiles when the changes take effect, which could take up to two weeks. During this time we’ll pause invitation rounds and will start again when it’s complete.
Changes to CRS points
The Labour Market Integration factor is new in the CRS.
It includes points for either:
- Canadian work experience (based on how long you worked) with extra points for work in eligible high-wage occupations or,
- A qualifying job offer in an eligible high-wage occupation.
You can only receive points for Canadian work experience or an eligible job offer, not both.
What are high-wage occupations?
Under Express Entry, a job is considered a high-wage occupation if the median wage of all people in Canada performing that job is at least 1.3 times higher than the average median wage of the overall Canadian work force.
- This is based on all the people in Canada working under the same National Occupational Classification (NOC).
- It is not determined based on a person’s specific job position.
High-wage occupations are grouped into 3 levels using NOC codes and points are awarded based on those levels. Only jobs listed in those 3 high-wage occupation levels are eligible for high-wage occupation points or job offer points under the Labour Market Integration factor.
Express Entry high-wage occupations list
NOCs with a median wage at least twice the average median wage
| NOC Code | NOC Description |
|---|---|
| 00011 | Senior government managers and officials |
| 00012 | Senior managers – financial, communications and other business services |
| 00013 | Senior managers – health, education, social and community services and membership organizations |
| 10010 | Financial managers |
| 10011 | Human resources managers |
| 10012 | Purchasing managers |
| 10020 | Insurance, real estate and financial brokerage managers |
| 10021 | Banking, credit and other investment managers |
| 20010 | Engineering managers |
| 20011 | Architecture and science managers |
| 20012 | Computer and information systems managers |
| 21330 | Mining engineers |
| 21332 | Petroleum engineers |
| 31100 | Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine |
| 31101 | Specialists in surgery |
| 31102 | General practitioners and family physicians |
| 31103 | Veterinarians |
| 31302 | Nurse practitioners |
| 31303 | Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals |
| 40010 | Government managers – health and social policy development and program administration |
| 40011 | Government managers – economic analysis, policy development and program administration |
| 40012 | Government managers – education policy development and program administration |
| 40019 | Other managers in public administration |
| 40040 | Commissioned police officers and related occupations in public protection services |
| 40041 | Fire chiefs and senior firefighting officers |
| 41100 | Judges |
| 41101 | Lawyers and Quebec notaries |
| 41200 | University professors and lecturers |
| 60010 | Corporate sales managers |
| 80010 | Managers in natural resources production and fishing |
| 90011 | Utilities managers |
NOCs with a median wage at least 1.5 times, but less than twice, the average
median wage
| NOC Code | NOC Description |
|---|---|
| 00014 | Senior managers – trade, broadcasting and other services |
| 00015 | Senior managers – construction, transportation, production and utilities |
| 10019 | Other administrative services managers |
| 10022 | Advertising, marketing and public relations managers |
| 10029 | Other business services managers |
| 10030 | Telecommunication carriers managers |
| 11103 | Securities agents, investment dealers and brokers |
| 11201 | Professional occupations in business management consulting |
| 21100 | Physicists and astronomers |
| 21102 | Geoscientists and oceanographers |
| 21103 | Meteorologists and climatologists |
| 21109 | Other professional occupations in physical sciences |
| 21111 | Forestry professionals |
| 21120 | Public and environmental health and safety professionals |
| 21202 | Urban and land use planners |
| 21210 | Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries |
| 21211 | Data scientists |
| 21220 | Cybersecurity specialists |
| 21221 | Business systems specialists |
| 21222 | Information systems specialists |
| 21223 | Database analysts and data administrators |
| 21230 | Computer systems developers and programmers |
| 21231 | Software engineers and designers |
| 21232 | Software developers and programmers |
| 21300 | Civil engineers |
| 21301 | Mechanical engineers |
| 21310 | Electrical and electronics engineers |
| 21311 | Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) |
| 21320 | Chemical engineers |
| 21321 | Industrial and manufacturing engineers |
| 21322 | Metallurgical and materials engineers |
| 21331 | Geological engineers |
| 21390 | Aerospace engineers |
| 21399 | Other professional engineers |
| 22231 | Engineering inspectors and regulatory officers |
| 22312 | Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics |
| 30010 | Managers in health care |
| 31110 | Dentists |
| 31112 | Audiologists and speech-language pathologists |
| 31120 | Pharmacists |
| 31200 | Psychologists |
| 31202 | Physiotherapists |
| 31203 | Occupational therapists |
| 31300 | Nursing coordinators and supervisors |
| 31301 | Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses |
| 32111 | Dental hygienists and dental therapists |
| 40020 | Administrators – post-secondary education and vocational training |
| 40021 | School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education |
| 40030 | Managers in social, community and correctional services |
| 40042 | Commissioned officers of the Canadian Armed Forces |
| 41210 | College and other vocational instructors |
| 41220 | Secondary school teachers |
| 41221 | Elementary school and kindergarten teachers |
| 41310 | Police investigators and other investigative occupations |
| 41311 | Probation and parole officers |
| 41320 | Educational counsellors |
| 41401 | Economists and economic policy researchers and analysts |
| 41402 | Business development officers and market researchers and analysts |
| 41404 | Health policy researchers, consultants and program officers |
| 41407 | Program officers unique to government |
| 42100 | Police officers (except commissioned) |
| 42101 | Firefighters |
| 50010 | Library, archive, museum and art gallery managers |
| 50011 | Managers – publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts |
| 51100 | Librarians |
| 70010 | Construction managers |
| 70012 | Facility operation and maintenance managers |
| 70020 | Managers in transportation |
| 70021 | Postal and courier services managers |
| 72011 | Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations |
| 72012 | Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades |
| 72023 | Supervisors, railway transport operations |
| 72103 | Boilermakers |
| 72202 | Power system electricians |
| 72203 | Electrical power line and cable workers |
| 72301 | Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers |
| 72406 | Elevator constructors and mechanics |
| 72600 | Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors |
| 72601 | Air traffic controllers and related occupations |
| 72604 | Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators |
| 73310 | Railway and yard locomotive engineers |
| 82020 | Supervisors, mining and quarrying |
| 82021 | Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services |
| 83101 | Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers |
| 90010 | Manufacturing managers |
| 92011 | Supervisors, petroleum, gas and chemical processing and utilities |
| 92100 | Power engineers and power systems operators |
| 93100 | Central control and process operators, mineral and metal processing |
| 93101 | Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing |
NOCs with a median wage at least 1.3 times, but less than 1.5 times, the
average median wage
| NOC Code | NOC Description |
|---|---|
| 00010 | Legislators |
| 11100 | Financial auditors and accountants |
| 11101 | Financial and investment analysts |
| 11102 | Financial advisors |
| 11109 | Other financial officers |
| 11200 | Human resources professionals |
| 12201 | Insurance adjusters and claims examiners |
| 12203 | Assessors, business valuators and appraisers |
| 21101 | Chemists |
| 21110 | Biologists and related scientists |
| 21112 | Agricultural representatives, consultants and specialists |
| 21200 | Architects |
| 21201 | Landscape architects |
| 21203 | Land surveyors |
| 21234 | Web developers and programmers |
| 22214 | Technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology |
| 22232 | Occupational health and safety specialists |
| 22233 | Construction inspectors |
| 22310 | Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians |
| 22313 | Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors |
| 31121 | Dietitians and nutritionists |
| 32102 | Paramedical occupations |
| 32103 | Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists |
| 32120 | Medical laboratory technologists |
| 32121 | Medical radiation technologists |
| 32122 | Medical sonographers |
| 41300 | Social workers |
| 41400 | Natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants and program officers |
| 41403 | Social policy researchers, consultants and program officers |
| 41405 | Education policy researchers, consultants and program officers |
| 41409 | Other professional occupations in social science |
| 43201 | Correctional service officers |
| 43203 | Border services, customs, and immigration officers |
| 50012 | Recreation, sports and fitness program and service directors |
| 51101 | Conservators and curators |
| 51102 | Archivists |
| 51111 | Authors and writers (except technical) |
| 51112 | Technical writers |
| 51120 | Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations |
| 52112 | Broadcast technicians |
| 60020 | Retail and wholesale trade managers |
| 60031 | Accommodation service managers |
| 60040 | Managers in customer and personal services |
| 72010 | Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations |
| 72013 | Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades |
| 72014 | Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers |
| 72020 | Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades |
| 72021 | Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews |
| 72102 | Sheet metal workers |
| 72105 | Ironworkers |
| 72201 | Industrial electricians |
| 72302 | Gas fitters |
| 72320 | Bricklayers |
| 72321 | Insulators |
| 72401 | Heavy-duty equipment mechanics |
| 72403 | Railway carmen/women |
| 72404 | Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors |
| 72500 | Crane operators |
| 72602 | Deck officers, water transport |
| 72603 | Engineer officers, water transport |
| 73311 | Railway conductors and brakemen/women |
| 82010 | Supervisors, logging and forestry |
| 83100 | Underground production and development miners |
| 83120 | Fishing masters and officers |
| 92010 | Supervisors, mineral and metal processing |
| 93102 | Pulping, papermaking and coating control operators |
How the Labour Market Integration factor is calculated
To calculate your score we compare the points you could receive from either your Canadian work experience or a qualifying job offer. You’ll get the score that gives you the higher number of CRS points.
You can get a maximum of 150 points for the Labour Market Integration factor.
| Core Factors | Points with a Spouse or Common-law Partner | Points without a Spouse or Common-law Partner |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian work experience | 140 points: 70 for work-length 70 for high-wage experience |
150 points: 80 for work-length 70 for high-wage experience |
| Qualifying job offer | 100 points | 100 points |
Canadian work experience points
Canadian work experience points are the combination of work-length points and high-wage occupation points.
Work-length points
Work-length points are the same CRS points that are currently awarded for qualifying work
experience in any TEER 0-3 NOC.
The eligibility requirements for Canadian work experience are not changing.
Canadian Work Experience Points
| Canadian Work Experience | With Spouse | Without Spouse |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | 0 | 0 |
| 1 year | 35 | 40 |
| 2 years | 46 | 53 |
| 3 years | 56 | 64 |
| 4 years | 63 | 72 |
| 5 years or more | 70 | 80 |
High-wage occupation points
High-wage occupation points are extra CRS points we award for qualifying Canadian work experience you gained in eligible high-wage occupations.
We award these points in addition to work-length points.
To qualify, you must have at least 1 year (12 months or 1,560 hours) of qualifying Canadian work experience that:
- meets the existing requirements for qualifying Canadian work experience under ExpressEntry
- was gained in one or more eligible high-wage occupations
Eligible work experience may be:
- continuous or not
- full-time or an equal amount of part-time work
- combined across more than one eligible high-wage job
If you worked more than one job at the same time, hours are counted only up to the equal amount of full-time work (30 hours per week).
Qualifying Canadian Work Experience
| Qualifying Canadian Work Experience | Points |
|---|---|
| At least 12 months in one or more high-wage occupations with median wages at least twice the average median wage | 70 |
| If not eligible for the 70 points, at least 12 months combined in one or more high-wage occupations with median wages at least 1.5 times the average median wage | 40 |
| If not eligible for the 40 points, at least 12 months combined in one or more high-wage occupations with median wages at least 1.3 times the average median wage | 20 |
| Less than 12 months of qualifying experience in high-wage occupations | 0 |
Job Offer Points
We’re reintroducing job offer points to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
To get job offer points, your offer must:
- Be valid under Express Entry; and
- Be for a position in an eligible high-wage occupation.
Job offer points are assessed as part of the Labour Market Integration factor.
Job Offer Points by Category
| Job Offer Category | Points |
|---|---|
| A job in a high-wage occupation with at least twice the average median wage | 100 |
| A job in a high-wage occupation with at least 1.5 times, but less than twice, the average median wage | 70 |
| A job in a high-wage occupation with at least 1.3 times, but less than 1.5 times, the average median wage | 50 |
| A job that is not in a high-wage occupation | 0 |
LMIA No Longer Required for Job Offer Points
Starting November 3, 2026:
- An LMIA will no longer be required for a qualifying job offer to receive CRS points.
- Having an LMIA will not provide additional CRS points or priority.
- Job offers can be for existing or new positions and existing or new employers.
- IRCC officers will continue assessing whether job offers are genuine and meet immigration requirements.
All qualifying job offers are still assessed by an officer when you apply for permanent residence. The officer must be satisfied that the job offer is genuine to be able to use it for either program eligibility or to calculate your Labour Market Integration factor score.
How IRCC Assesses Whether a Job Offer Is Genuine
This includes assessing whether:
The employer:
- Is active in the business.
- Can fulfill the terms of their offer.
- Made an offer that meets their needs.
- Is following employment and recruitment laws.
The applicant:
- Is qualified and able to perform the work.
- Is likely to accept the offer and carry out the job.
How to Update Your Profile if You Have a Job Offer Without an LMIA
As of November 3, 2026, while the requirements will have changed, the online system will not yet reflect that change.
In your profile, you will still be required to select that you have a positive LMIA, even though you don’t need one.
Under “Work history”, include that you have a job offer with the following details:
| Question or Field | Response |
|---|---|
| Was a positive LMIA issued for the job offer in Canada? | Yes |
| LMIA Number | 00000 |
| LMIA Issuance Date | 2026-01-01 |
| LMIA Expiry Date | 2029-01-01 |