Canada is making a big change in its immigration system. Starting March 25, 2025, the government will no longer give extra points for job offers under the Express Entry system. These extra points were known as bonus CRS points and helped many people get invitations to apply for permanent residency. Now, that benefit will stop.
This change was announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). It affects both current and future Express Entry candidates. If you were counting on these points to increase your score, you will now need to find other ways to boost your chances.
Table: Key Details of the New Policy
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Policy Change | No more bonus CRS points for job offers |
| Effective Date | March 25, 2025 |
| Affected Candidates | Current and future Express Entry applicants |
| Points Previously Awarded | 50 points for most jobs, 200 points for senior roles |
| Still Counts as Valid Job Offer | Yes, but without bonus points |
| Impact on CRS Score | Lower for some candidates |
| Affected Immigration Programs | Express Entry (FSWP, FSTP, CEC) |
| Other Pathways Unchanged | PNPs and basic job offer requirements remain |
What Was the Rule Before?
Before this update, if you had a valid job offer in Canada, you could get extra points:
- 200 points for senior-level jobs (like directors or managers).
- 50 points for skilled jobs.
These points were added to your CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) score. A higher CRS score meant you had a better chance of getting an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.
For many people, these points made a big difference. They helped them get selected quickly.
What Is Changing Now?
From March 25, 2025, IRCC will stop giving these bonus points. Even if you have a valid job offer, it will not add extra CRS points to your profile.
The rule will apply to:
- People already in the Express Entry pool.
- People who apply after March 25, 2025.
Important: If you already got an ITA before this date, your points will not be affected.
IRCC called this change a “temporary measure”, but there is no timeline for when or if the points will come back.
Why Is This Happening?
IRCC has not clearly explained the full reason behind this change. But experts believe:
- It may help create a fairer system where people are selected based on skills, education, and language – not just job offers.
- It might reduce fake or low-quality job offers being used to get higher CRS scores.
- The government may be adjusting immigration goals based on Canada’s economy and labor market.
What Will Not Change?
Even though job offers no longer bring extra CRS points, they are still useful:
- In the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), a job offer is required to apply.
- In the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), job offers can help meet the minimum requirements.
- In Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), some streams still require or prefer job offers.
So while you won’t get extra CRS points, a job offer still has value in many immigration programs.
How Will It Affect Candidates?
Here’s how the change may affect you:
- If you were depending on bonus CRS points from a job offer, your score will go down.
- You might not receive an ITA as easily as before.
- IRCC says it may take a few days for your profile to update. If it doesn’t update after a week, you can contact them.
For new applicants, the competition will be tougher. Without those extra points, candidates must focus more on other parts of their profile.
What You Can Do Now to Improve Your CRS Score
Don’t worry — there are still many ways to improve your score and stay strong in the Express Entry pool.
Here are some tips:
- Improve Your Language Test Scores
- Take IELTS or CELPIP again.
- A higher score in English or French can add many points.
- Study More
- Get a higher degree or diploma.
- Canadian education gives more points.
- Get Work Experience in Canada
- If you work in Canada, you can earn points for that.
- Up to 200 CRS points can be gained for Canadian experience.
- Apply to a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- A nomination from a province gives you 600 extra points.
- Use Your Spouse’s Profile
- If you are married, your spouse’s education, work, or language scores can help.
- Up to 40 points can be added from a partner’s profile.
What Should Candidates Expect?
This rule change is a big shift. Many candidates will now find it harder to reach the top CRS scores. Canada wants to focus more on skills, education, and language – not just job offers.
Candidates must now work harder on building strong profiles without depending on job offers for extra points. It’s time to:
- Adapt to the new rules,
- Upgrade your profile, and
- Explore all available immigration streams like PNPs or studying in Canada.
Conclusion
The removal of bonus CRS points for job offers in the Express Entry system will make the immigration process more competitive starting March 25, 2025. While this may feel like a setback, candidates can still improve their chances by focusing on language, education, and experience.
This change shows that Canada wants to make the system more fair and skills-based. If you are planning to immigrate, stay informed and adjust your strategy to succeed.