The first stage of Canada’s Express Entry reforms takes effect on November 3, 2026. Here is what is changing and what candidates should do now.

On October 16, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced changes to Express Entry that take effect on November 3, 2026. The changes give more weight to candidates who have Canadian work experience or a job offer in a high-wage occupation.

Two changes stand out. Candidates will be able to earn CRS points through a new labour market integration factor, based on either their Canadian work experience or a job offer in a high-wage occupation. In addition, a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) will no longer be required for a qualifying job offer.

Candidates already in the Express Entry pool will have their scores recalculated automatically. Anyone with a job offer, however, should make sure it is in their profile before November 3.

What is a High-Wage Occupation?

IRCC considers an occupation high-wage when the median wage of everyone working in it in Canada is at least 1.3 times the median wage of the overall Canadian workforce. The test looks at the occupation as a whole, identified by its National Occupational Classification (NOC) code, not at what an individual candidate earns.

Occupations are placed in one of three levels: at least 2 times, at least 1.5 times, or at least 1.3 times the national median. IRCC uses wage data from Job Bank, the Labour Force Survey and the Census for the previous three years, and gives each occupation the highest level it reached during that period. The first list, which takes effect on November 3, uses 2023 to 2025 data and includes 186 occupations in fields such as health care, engineering, technology, education and the skilled trades.

If the list changes after a candidate receives an invitation to apply, IRCC will use the occupation’s level as it stood on the date of the invitation.

How the Labour Market Integration Factor is Calculated

The Labour Market Integration Factor awards points for one of two things:

eligible Canadian work experience, based on how long it lasted, with additional points if it was in a high-wage occupation; or
a qualifying job offer in a high-wage occupation.

IRCC calculates both and gives the candidate whichever score is higher. The two are never added together. The maximum depends on whether the candidate has an accompanying spouse or common-law partner:

Route	With spouse or partner	Without spouse or partner
Canadian work experience	140 (70 for length + 70 high-wage)	150 (80 for length + 70 high-wage)
Qualifying job offer	100	100

Canadian Work Experience Points

Points for the length of eligible Canadian work experience stay the same as under the current system. Eligible experience must generally have been gained in Canada within the past 10 years, in a TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupation. Experience that is not in a high-wage occupation still earns these points.

Canadian work experience	With spouse or partner	Without spouse or partner
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 Points

Candidates with at least 12 months (1,560 hours) of eligible Canadian work experience in high-wage occupations receive bonus points on top of the points for length of experience. The hours do not have to be continuous and can come from more than one job, but when jobs overlap, no more than 30 hours a week are counted.

Canadian work experience in high-wage occupations	Bonus points
At least 12 months in one or more occupations at 2 times the median wage or more	70
Otherwise, at least 12 months combined in occupations at 1.5 times the median or more	40
Otherwise, at least 12 months combined in occupations at 1.3 times the median or more	20
Less than 12 months	0

A qualifying job offer in a high-wage occupation earns points on a separate scale. The offer must generally be for full-time, continuous work in Canada for at least one year after the candidate becomes a permanent resident.

Job offer in an occupation at	Points
2 times the median wage or more	100
1.5 times the median wage or more	70
1.3 times the median wage or more	50
Not a high-wage occupation	0

Job Offers Without an LMIA

Starting November 3, a job offer will not need an LMIA to earn the new points. Under a temporary public policy, candidates invited to apply on or after November 3 will also be exempt from LMIA and LMIA-exemption requirements for job offers used to qualify under the Federal Skilled Worker or Federal Skilled Trades programs, provided they meet the conditions of the policy.

An officer will still review every qualifying job offer and must be satisfied that it is genuine. The officer will consider whether the employer is actively operating the business, needs the position, can meet the terms of the offer and complies with federal and provincial employment and recruitment laws, and whether the candidate is qualified for the job and likely to accept it. A job offer that has been withdrawn no longer counts.

What Candidates Should Do Now

If you have a job offer: add it to your Express Entry profile, with complete and accurate details, before November 3, 2026.
If you have Canadian work experience: your score will be recalculated automatically.
Expect a pause: recalculating every profile in the pool may take up to two weeks, and invitation rounds will be paused during that time.
Keep expectations realistic: additional points do not guarantee an invitation. Each round has its own requirements and cut-off score.

If you are in the Express Entry pool, or have a job offer and want to know how these changes affect your score, book a consultation with Nordex Immigration. We will review your profile and explain your options, in English or Russian.

For more information, please visit:

This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Check the latest IRCC guidance or consult a licensed professional. Published October 18, 2026.

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Express Entry Changes starting November 3, 2026: New CRS Points for High-Wage Occupations

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