Canada Express Entry New Points Start Next Week: What Changes on 3 November 2026

Canada’s new Express Entry points system starts on Tuesday, 3 November 2026.

From that date, skilled workers in high-wage occupations can earn more Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points. Qualifying job offers will no longer need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

If you want points for a job offer, you have until 3 November to update your profile. Here’s what changes, what you need to do this week and what happens after.

What Changes on 3 November

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the changes on 16 October 2026. From 3 November:

• A new Labour Market Integration factor scores either your Canadian work experience or a qualifying job offer
• Extra points go to experience or job offers in high-wage occupations
• Job offer points return, but only for high-wage occupations
• LMIAs are no longer needed for qualifying job offers
• Express Entry draws pause for up to two weeks while IRCC recalculates scores

For a full breakdown of the scoring, read our guide on Express Entry’s additional CRS points for skilled workers.

The New Points in Brief

You get points for your Canadian work experience or your job offer, never both. IRCC gives you whichever is higher.

Canadian work experience in a high-wage occupation (extra points):

These are added to your existing work-length points (up to 80 for 5 years).

Qualifying job offer in a high-wage occupation:

Maximum for the new factor: 150 points without a spouse, 140 points with a spouse.

Remember, “high-wage” depends on your occupation’s NOC code, not your own salary.

Rules You May Have Missed

IRCC and immigration lawyers have shared details that many early reports skipped.

Canadian work experience rules:

• It must usually be from the last 10 years
• It must be in a TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupation
• You need at least 12 months (1,560 hours) in eligible high-wage jobs to get extra points

Job offer rules:

• The job must be full-time and continuous
• It must last at least one year after you become a permanent resident
• It can be a new or existing job, with a new or existing employer
• Skilled trades and physicians have their own rules

LMIA rules:

• An LMIA is not needed to get job offer points
• An LMIA-supported offer gets no extra points or priority
• For anyone invited on or after 3 November, a temporary public policy removes LMIA requirements for job offers used to qualify under the Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades programs

Job offers outside the high-wage list:

• They get no CRS points
• But a job offer in any TEER 0 to 3 occupation can still help you qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker or Federal Skilled Trades program

Your Checklist Before 3 November

If you have a job offer:

1. Check your NOC code against IRCC’s high-wage occupation list.
2. Confirm the offer is full-time, continuous and lasts at least one year after PR.
3. Update your Express Entry profile with the job offer details before 3 November. IRCC will not add job offer points automatically.
4. Follow IRCC’s job offer update instructions exactly.

If you have Canadian work experience:

1. Check that your dates, hours and NOC codes are correct in your profile.
2. You don’t need to do anything else. IRCC will recalculate your points automatically.

If you are an employer:

1. Keep proof that your business is active.
2. Be ready to show you can meet the pay and job terms.
3. Make sure you follow employment and recruitment laws.

What Happens After 3 November

Draws pause for up to two weeks. IRCC will rescore every profile in the pool. No invitations will be issued until that is done.

Cut-off scores are unknown. Every profile is rescored, so nobody can predict the new CRS cut-offs. Look at the first few draws once they restart before reading too much into your new score.

More points do not guarantee an invitation. IRCC says invitations still depend on each round’s rules and cut-off score.

Job offers will be checked closely. Before giving PR, officers will look at:

• Whether the employer’s business is real and active
• Whether the employer can meet the offer’s terms
• Whether the employer follows employment and recruitment laws
• Your qualifications for the job
• Whether you are likely to accept it

How This Fits Into Wider Express Entry Changes

This is one of several recent changes to Express Entry:

• December 2025: A new Express Entry category for doctors with Canadian work experience
• February 2026: New and renewed categories for health care, skilled trades, research, transportation and education
• 3 November 2026: New points for high-wage occupations and no LMIA for qualifying job offers

Canada is focusing more on candidates who are likely to do well in its job market.

What This Means for Indian Applicants

• Check your NOC code first. It decides your extra points.
• Act this week if you have a job offer. The deadline to update is 3 November.
• Expect a short wait. Plan for no draws for up to two weeks.
• Keep your profile accurate. Wrong NOC codes or job details can cause refusals later.
• Avoid “guaranteed ITA” claims. Nobody can promise an invitation.

Learn how your full score is calculated in our Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) guide, or see our Canada Express Entry page.

Get Your Profile Checked Before the Deadline

You have only a few days left to add job offer details. SWEC Visa Consultant helps candidates from Ahmedabad, Surat and across Gujarat with:

• Express Entry profile reviews
• NOC code checks
• Job offer updates
• CRS score planning

Book a consultation with SWEC before 3 November to protect your points.

Sources

• IRCC Backgrounder: Changes to Express Entry for high-wage occupations
• IRCC: High-wage occupations eligible for Express Entry points
• IRCC: Job offer documents and how to update your profile
• Newland Chase: Express Entry Changes Effective November 3, 2026
• Tafapolsky & Smith LLP: Canada Express Entry Scoring Changes Take Effect November 3, 2026