One of the most closely watched elements of IRCC’s proposed Express Entry reform is the introduction of the “High-Wage Occupation factor.”Until now, major Express Entry selection factors have included:

• Canadian work experience 
• Education 
• Age 
• Language ability 

However, the direction currently being discussed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) suggests a growing emphasis on:

• What occupation an applicant works in 
• How much economic value that occupation brings to Canada’s labour market 

In this article, we take a closer look at what is currently known about the proposed High-Wage Occupation factor and how it could affect future permanent residence applicants.

Currently, Express Entry is divided into three major immigration programs:

• Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) 
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC) 
• Federal Skilled Trades (FST) 

IRCC is now considering restructuring these into a more unified and simplified selection system.

If implemented, this could significantly change the current mindset that:

• CEC applicants are automatically in a stronger position, or 
• Having Canadian work experience alone is enough to remain competitive. 

This is one of the most important aspects of the proposed reform.

Under the current Express Entry system, Canadian work experience carries substantial CRS value and plays a major role in permanent residence strategies.

As a result, many applicants currently follow pathways such as:

• Study Permit → PGWP → CEC
• IEC (e.g. Working Holiday) → employer-sponsored Work Permit → CEC

However, the direction suggested by IRCC indicates a gradual shift away from simply rewarding Canadian work experience itself, and toward evaluating:

• The occupation 
• Wage level 
• Labour market value 
• Skill level 

In other words, simply accumulating one year of Canadian work experience may no longer provide the same level of advantage it once did.

Among the proposed reforms, the “High-Wage Occupation factor” has attracted particular attention.

Based on the information currently available, IRCC is considering awarding additional CRS points to occupations classified within higher wage ranges.

Importantly, the proposal does not appear to focus on an applicant’s personal salary alone.

Under the proposed framework, assessment would likely be based on:

• The typical wage level associated with a particular occupation
  rather than 
• The applicant’s exact personal earnings 

This means that even applicants earning similar salaries could be evaluated differently depending on their occupation category.

IRCC has indicated that wage data from sources such as Statistics Canada may be used to determine median wage levels for different NOC occupations.

Although nothing has been finalized, IRCC has reportedly discussed a tiered model based on occupational wage levels, including thresholds such as:

• Above the national median wage 
• 200% of the national median wage 
• 300% of the national median wage 

This suggests that future Express Entry selection may place increasing emphasis not only on whether an occupation is “skilled,” but also on whether it is considered “high-wage.”

At this stage, no official occupation list has been released.However, occupations commonly associated with higher wage ranges may potentially benefit, including:

• IT and software engineering roles 
• Certain management positions 
• Healthcare professionals 
• Financial specialists 
• Engineering occupations 

Meanwhile, occupations that are:

• Lower wage 
• Primarily entry-level 

could potentially become less competitive under the new model.

These proposed reforms could significantly affect future Express Entry strategies.For applicants currently relying on pathways centered around Canadian work experience, the traditional assumption that:

“Working in Canada for one year will create a strong pathway to permanent residence”

may become less reliable over time.

Going forward, applicants may need to think more strategically about:

• Which occupations they enter 
• The long-term labour market value of those occupations 
• Future earning potential 
• Skill specialization 

as part of their immigration planning.

At this stage, these reforms remain proposals and discussion points rather than finalized policy.IRCC is still in the consultation and design phase, and implementation timelines have not yet been confirmed.

However, the broader direction of Express Entry reform appears increasingly clear:

Canada may be moving toward a selection system that places greater emphasis on economic impact and labour market contribution.

One of the strongest impressions from these proposed reforms is that Express Entry appears to be gradually shifting from a system focused primarily on “Canadian experience” toward one that places greater weight on economic and labour market value.

This does not mean Canadian work experience will stop being important.

However, going forward, applicants may need to think more carefully about:

• Which occupations they gain experience in 
• Whether those occupations are considered high-value in the labour market 
• Their long-term earning and career potential 

In the past, many applicants focused first on coming to Canada and gaining local experience. Moving forward, long-term career planning may become an increasingly important part of permanent residence strategy as well.

With Express Entry selection criteria undergoing a major shift, the most important step is to accurately assess your current standing. You must determine whether to secure your application under the current rules or strategically select your occupation in preparation for the new system.

At Shiraishi Visa JP Canada, our government authorized consultants use the latest IRCC announcements to propose a personalized plan that maximizes your chances of achieving permanent residence.

• Understand if your current occupation holds an advantage against the Canadian median wage
• Submit your application as quickly as possible before the programs are merged into the new system
• Receive expert advice on choosing the most strategic occupation before starting your studies or employment in Canada

Because Canadian immigration laws change rapidly, reliable professional support is your greatest asset. Start with our free consultation to assess your current possibilities today.