What changes in Express Entry on November 3, 2026?
Starting November 3, 2026, Express Entry gives extra points for Canadian work experience or a job offer in a high-wage occupation. A qualifying job offer no longer needs an LMIA to earn those points.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the change on October 16, 2026. If you are in the Express Entry pool and have a qualifying job offer, update your profile before November 3.
This post sums up what IRCC published. It is not immigration advice. For your own case, use IRCC's pages linked below.
The four changes
- New points for high-wage work. CRS points (the Express Entry ranking score) for eligible Canadian work experience, or a qualifying job offer, in a high-wage occupation.
- No LMIA needed for a job offer. IRCC says a labour market impact assessment is no longer required for a qualifying job offer to earn the new points, or to meet the job offer requirements of the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). IRCC still checks that offers are genuine.
- Scores recalculated automatically. Candidates already in the pool get new CRS scores, including points for eligible Canadian work experience.
- Draws pause. In IRCC's words, "The recalculation process may take up to two weeks, during which invitation rounds will be paused."
What counts as a high-wage occupation?
An occupation qualifies if its median wage is at least 1.3 times the median wage of the overall Canadian workforce. IRCC looks at what the occupation typically earns, not your own salary.
IRCC's examples include jobs in health care, skilled trades, engineering, technology and education, such as engineers and electricians. IRCC keeps the official list on its high-wage occupations page, based on Job Bank, Labour Force Survey and Census data.
How many points?
IRCC's backgrounder sets three levels. You get whichever gives more points, work experience or job offer, not both.
| Occupation's median wage | Qualifying job offer | 12+ months Canadian work experience |
|---|---|---|
| At least 2 times the Canadian median | 100 | 70 |
| At least 1.5 times | 70 | 40 |
| At least 1.3 times | 50 | 20 |
A qualifying job offer is generally for full-time, continuous work in Canada for at least one year after you become a permanent resident. Skilled trades and physicians have their own rules. Check the backgrounder for the details.
Who it affects
- Candidates already in the Express Entry pool.
- People applying through Express Entry programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, the Canadian Experience Class and part of the Provincial Nominee Program.
What to do before November 3
- Have a qualifying job offer? IRCC says candidates who want job-offer points must update their profiles with the required information before November 3, 2026.
- Only Canadian work experience? IRCC recalculates your score automatically. Make sure your work history and job titles in your profile are accurate.
- Expect a gap in draws of up to about two weeks after November 3 while scores are recalculated.
Weighing a job offer? See what the salary actually puts in your pocket with the paycheque calculator, and how each line on your pay works in how to read your pay stub.
Sources
- IRCC news release, October 16, 2026: Canada refocusing Express Entry on top talent that drives economic growth
- IRCC backgrounder, October 2026: Changes to Express Entry for high-wage occupations
- IRCC: High-wage occupations and how we assess them