Express Entry changes on November 3, 2026
On October 16, 2026, IRCC announced changes to the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). They take effect on November 3, 2026. This page sums up what IRCC has confirmed so far.
Point values are not published yet. IRCC's announcement does not say how many points the new factors are worth. Figures circulating online come from consultants, not IRCC. We will update this page and the CRS calculator when IRCC publishes the new grid. Until then, the calculator scores profiles under the current rules.
What is changing
More points for high-wage work. Candidates will get additional CRS points for eligible Canadian work experience in a high-wage occupation, or for a qualifying job offer in a high-wage occupation.
No LMIA for job offers. A qualifying job offer will no longer need a labour market impact assessment (LMIA) to earn the new points. The same applies to the job offer requirements of the Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades programs. IRCC will still check that offers are genuine and meet program requirements.
What counts as a high-wage occupation
An occupation is high-wage when its median wage is at least 1.3 times the median wage of the Canadian workforce. The test uses what the occupation typically pays, not your own salary. IRCC's examples include engineers and electricians, and it says eligible jobs span health care, skilled trades, engineering, technology and education.
IRCC will publish the list on its website, built from Job Bank, Labour Force Survey and Census wage data for the previous three years.
If you are already in the pool
- Your score will be recalculated automatically, including points for eligible Canadian work experience.
- If you have a qualifying job offer, update your profile before November 3, 2026. That is how the recalculation picks up the job offer points.
- Draws pause during the recalculation, which IRCC says may take up to two weeks. Follow the latest draws for when they resume.
What to do now
- Check your work history and any job offer against your NOC code, and look up the occupation on IRCC's list once it is published.
- If you have a job offer, add its details to your Express Entry profile before November 3.
- Expect cutoffs to move once rounds restart: the whole pool is rescored at once.
Common questions
When do the Express Entry changes take effect?
November 3, 2026. IRCC announced them on October 16, 2026.
Do I need an LMIA for a job offer to count?
Not from November 3, 2026. A qualifying job offer no longer needs a labour market impact assessment to earn the new CRS points or to meet the job offer requirements of the Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades programs. IRCC still checks that offers are genuine.
Do I need to do anything if I am already in the pool?
IRCC will recalculate your score automatically, including points for eligible Canadian work experience. If you have a qualifying job offer, update your profile with its details before November 3, 2026 to get points for it.
Will draws stop while scores are recalculated?
Yes. IRCC says the recalculation may take up to two weeks and that rounds of invitations are paused while it runs.
Sources
- IRCC, Canada refocusing Express Entry on top talent that drives economic growth, October 16, 2026
- IRCC, Comprehensive Ranking System criteria
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