Express Entry Changes Effective November 3, 2026: LMIA Requirements Eased for Qualifying Job Offers

Previously, applicants seeking to use a job offer to meet FSW or FST eligibility requirements generally needed a positive LMIA, unless they qualified under specific LMIA-exempt work permit provisions. Even then, additional conditions could apply.

Under the temporary public policy, certain existing requirements may be waived, including:

• The requirement for the employer to obtain an LMIA
• The requirement for the job offer to come from the employer named on the applicant’s current employer-specific work permit
• The requirement to have worked continuously for that employer for at least one year

These changes may create opportunities for applicants who previously could not use their job offers to meet Express Entry eligibility requirements.

Although an LMIA may no longer be required, IRCC will continue to assess the legitimacy of the job offer and the employer’s eligibility. The policy sets out conditions including:

1. Active business operations: The employer must be operating a business related to the position offered.
2. Reasonable employment need: There must be a legitimate business reason for hiring the applicant.
3. Ability to fulfill employment terms: The employer must be able to provide the wages and working conditions offered.
4. Relevant experience or education: The applicant must have previous work experience or education related to the occupation.
5. Compliance with employment laws: The employer must satisfy applicable requirements concerning prior violations of federal or provincial employment and foreign-worker laws.

Removing the LMIA requirement does not mean that all job offers automatically qualify. IRCC will continue to review the employer’s operations, the need for the position, and the proposed employment conditions.

FSW applicants must score at least 67 points on the program’s selection grid, separate from the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The grid considers education, language proficiency, work experience, age, adaptability, and arranged employment.

Qualifying arranged employment can provide up to 10 points. Under the new policy, certain LMIA and work-permit requirements may be waived, potentially allowing applicants to claim these points without an LMIA. Applicants who previously fell below 67 points may wish to reassess their eligibility. All other FSW requirements continue to apply.

IRCC also introduced CRS points for qualifying high-wage job offers effective November 3, 2026:

A job offer used to meet FSW or FST eligibility requirements does not necessarily qualify for additional CRS points. An applicant might receive 10 points on the FSW selection grid without meeting the separate occupation, wage, and other conditions for 50, 70, or 100 CRS points.

The temporary public policy took effect on November 3, 2026. It applies to applicants who receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) on or after that date and apply under FSW or FST. Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is not covered by this temporary public policy.

There is no specified end date, although the Minister of Immigration may revoke the policy at any time.

The policy may benefit applicants who previously could not use a job offer because their employer did not have an LMIA, including:

• FSW candidates who could reach the 67-point threshold with arranged-employment points
• Applicants with a Canadian job offer but no employer LMIA
• Workers on LMIA-exempt permits who did not meet previous arranged-employment conditions
• Applicants who may qualify separately for high-wage job offer CRS points

Importantly, this policy addresses LMIA-related requirements for permanent residence eligibility. It does not remove the need for a valid work permit or other authorization to work in Canada. A qualifying job offer does not guarantee an ITA or permanent residence approval.

Shiraishi Visa JP Canada assists applicants with assessing Express Entry eligibility, CRS scores, and qualifying job offers to identify potential pathways to Canadian permanent residence.

This article is a summary prepared by Shiraishi Visa JP Canada based on official information from the Government of Canada, organized for clarity and ease of understanding.
Source: Temporary public policy to exempt Labour Market Impact Assessments and related requirements for qualifying job offers for eligibility under Express Entry
Source: Changes to Express Entry for high-wage occupations

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