IRCC removes LMIA requirement for Express Entry job offers
IRCC has eliminated the Labour Market Impact Assessment requirement for Express Entry job offers. The amendment took effect on November 3, 2026 and applies to all Express Entry candidates with a job offer, introducing a new high‑wage occupation list and officer‑based verification.
In this story
At a glance
- What changes
- LMIA requirement removed and officer assessment introduced
- Timing
- Effective November 3 2026
- Who is affected
- All Express Entry candidates with a job offer
The details
- Announced by
- IRCC
- Takes effect
- November 3, 2026
- Previous rule
- Express Entry job offers previously required a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment before the offer could be counted for points.
- New rule
- The LMIA requirement is removed; officers now directly assess the genuineness of each offer and award points based on a new high‑wage occupation list.
What the amendment changes
IRCC activated a set of amendments to the Ministerial Instructions on November 3, 2026. The changes eliminate the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from the Express Entry job‑offer pathway and replace it with a direct officer assessment of each claimed offer.
A new high‑wage occupation list now awards up to 100 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, depending on the wage tier of the occupation.
- LMIA no longer required for any Express Entry job offer
- Officer must evaluate five formal genuineness factors
- High‑wage list creates three point tiers: 50, 70, or 100 CRS points
How officers will assess job offers
Under section 15.2(4) of the Ministerial Instructions, officers must be satisfied that the employer is actively operating a legitimate business, that the offer meets a genuine need, and that the employer can fulfil the employment terms.
Additional checks include the applicant’s qualifications, the employer’s compliance history, and the presence of a recent written offer containing all required employment details.
- Evidence may include business licences, tax filings, payroll records, and financial statements
- Officers may request internal charts, recent job postings, and proof of capacity to pay wages
- Compliance with federal and provincial employment laws is examined
Scoring and the high‑wage occupation list
A qualifying offer in an occupation on the new high‑wage list earns 50, 70, or 100 CRS points, based on the occupational median wage tier, not the individual’s salary.
If the occupation is not on the list, the offer contributes zero job‑offer points even if it is otherwise genuine.
- List published by IRCC; classification uses median wage, not personal salary
- Points cannot be stacked with Canadian work‑experience points under the same Labour Market Integration factor
What this means for travellers
Trip planning
- Existing Express Entry profiles must select “yes” for a positive LMIA and enter 00000 as the LMIA number.
- The LMIA issuance and expiry dates to be entered are January 1, 2026 and January 1, 2029 respectively.
- Candidates should verify that their job offer appears on the new high‑wage occupation list to receive CRS points.
Cost and documents
- No new fees are introduced by the amendment.
- Employers may need to provide business registration, tax filings, payroll records, or financial statements if requested by an officer.
- Applicants must retain a recent written job offer that includes pay, duties, hours, and conditions.
What you need to do
- Update Express Entry profiles with the LMIA workaround values indicated by IRCC.
- Confirm that the job offer meets all five genuineness factors and the recent written‑offer requirement.
- Check the official IRCC high‑wage occupation list to determine eligible CRS point tier.
- Prepare supporting employer documents in case an officer requests verification.
Who this affects
-
Express Entry candidates with a job offer
The LMIA removal directly changes how their job offers are evaluated and scored.
What to do Update profile LMIA fields, ensure offer meets genuineness factors, and verify occupation on high‑wage list.
-
Employers offering jobs to Express Entry applicants
Officers will now assess employer legitimacy and capacity without an LMIA.
What to do Be ready to provide business licences, tax filings, payroll records, or financial statements if asked.
-
Candidates using the CRS calculator
The new high‑wage occupation list alters potential CRS points from job offers.
What to do Check the occupation’s tier on the IRCC list to understand point eligibility.
Frequently asked questions
When did IRCC stop requiring an LMIA for Express Entry job offers?
The LMIA requirement was removed on November 3, 2026 when IRCC activated amendments to the Ministerial Instructions.
How should I fill the LMIA fields in my Express Entry profile after the change?
IRCC instructs candidates to select “yes” for a positive LMIA, enter 00000 as the LMIA number, and use January 1, 2026 as the issuance date and January 1, 2029 as the expiry date.
What are the new CRS points for a job offer under the high‑wage list?
A qualifying offer earns 50 points for a high‑wage occupation, 70 points for a higher‑wage tier, or 100 points for the highest‑wage tier, based on the occupation’s median wage.
Will a genuine job offer still be rejected if it is not on the high‑wage list?
Yes, a genuine offer that is not on the eligible high‑wage occupation list will receive zero job‑offer CRS points, though it may still satisfy other eligibility requirements.
What documents might an officer request to verify a job offer now?
Officers may ask for business registration documents, corporate tax filings, commercial leases, payroll records, recent financial statements, or bank statements to confirm employer legitimacy and capacity.
