From November 3, 2026, job offers will again earn Express Entry points, worth up to 100 CRS points, but only in high-wage occupations, and an LMIA will no longer be needed.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the change on October 16, 2026. Job offer points were removed in March 2025, so this is a big shift for candidates and employers. Here is what it means, in plain language.
Your personal salary does not matter
The new points depend only on your occupation (your NOC code), not on how much you are paid.
IRCC looks at the median wage of everyone in Canada working in the same NOC. If that median is at least 1.3 times the national median, the NOC counts as "high-wage". IRCC sorts these NOCs into three levels: 1.3x, 1.5x and 2x the national median.
This means a very high salary in a NOC that is not on the list earns no new points. A modest salary in a NOC that is on the list can still qualify.
Check your NOC: Express Entry high-wage occupations list (IRCC)
A few examples from the list:
| Level | Example NOCs |
|---|---|
| 2x median | Financial managers (10010), Computer and information systems managers (20012), Lawyers (41101), Family physicians (31102) |
| 1.5x median | Software engineers (21231), Civil engineers (21300), Registered nurses (31301), Construction managers (70010) |
| 1.3x median | Accountants (11100), HR professionals (11200), Web developers (21234), Industrial electricians (72201) |
Only one option counts: work experience or job offer
You get points from Canadian work experience or from a job offer, never both. IRCC automatically uses whichever gives you more. The maximum is 150 points (140 with an accompanying spouse or partner).
| High-wage level of the NOC | Option A: extra points for 12+ months of Canadian experience | Option B: points for a qualifying job offer |
|---|---|---|
| 2x median | +70 | 100 |
| 1.5x median | +40 | 70 |
| 1.3x median | +20 | 50 |
| Not on the list | +0 | 0 |
Option A points are added to your regular Canadian experience points (up to 80 for five years). For example, five years of experience in a 2x NOC can reach 150 points. In that case a job offer (max 100) would not add anything.
Full official calculation: Changes to Express Entry for high-wage occupations (IRCC)
What a job offer needs to qualify
No LMIA is needed from November 3, but the offer still has to meet strict rules. It must:
- Be in a NOC on the high-wage list
- Be in writing, recent, and not from an embassy, high commission or consulate
- Be full-time (at least 30 hours a week), paid, continuous and not seasonal
- Last at least one year after you become a permanent resident
- Still be valid: if the employer withdraws it, it no longer counts
Extra rules apply to some occupations, such as skilled trades and physicians.
Because there is no LMIA, an IRCC officer will check that the offer is genuine. The officer will look at whether:
- The employer is a real, active business
- The job matches the employer's real needs
- The employer can meet the terms of the offer, including your pay
- You are qualified for the job and likely to accept it
- The employer follows federal and provincial employment and recruitment laws
IRCC job offer rules: Express Entry: Job offer (IRCC)
Book a consultation with our licensed RCIC consultant. We'll check your occupation against the high-wage list and tell you which option gives you more points.
Book a Consultation →Documents employers should be ready to provide
IRCC has not yet published a full employer checklist. Based on what officers will assess, we recommend employers prepare the following before an invitation to apply arrives.
| What the officer checks | Documents to prepare |
|---|---|
| The offer itself | Job offer letter on company letterhead, signed and dated, with job title and NOC, duties, pay and deductions, hours, start date, and confirmation that the job is full-time, continuous and for at least one year after PR |
| Real, active business | Business registration or incorporation documents; business licence (if required); recent payroll records such as CRA PD7A remittances or T4 Summary |
| Ability to pay | Recent financial statements and/or corporate tax return (T2) with CRA Notice of Assessment |
| Real need for the job | A short explanation of why the position is needed, with an organization chart |
| Legal compliance | For example, a workplace safety (WSIB/WCB) clearance and confirmation that no recruitment fees were charged to the worker |
Candidates should also have an updated resume, reference letters, and any licence or certificate required for the job in Canada. IRCC may ask for different documents once its checklist is final.
What to do before November 3
- If you have a job offer: add it to your Express Entry profile before November 3, 2026. IRCC's system will not reflect the new rules right away, so follow IRCC's temporary instructions on the job offer page.
- If you have no job offer: no action is needed. IRCC will recalculate your score automatically.
- Expect a short pause: IRCC will stop invitation rounds from November 3 for up to two weeks while it recalculates scores.
- Talk to your employer now: make sure they can provide the documents above if you are invited.
Need help with your profile or job offer?
Not sure if your NOC qualifies, whether your job offer meets the rules, or which option gives you more points? Book a consultation with Lana Immigration Consulting Services.
Sources
- Changes to Express Entry for high-wage occupations, IRCC backgrounder, October 16, 2026
- High-wage occupations and how we assess them, IRCC
- Express Entry: Job offer, IRCC
This article is general information, not legal advice.