Canada announces Express Entry points changes for 3 November

News report · Checked 21 October 2026.

Canada has announced a change to Express Entry’s Comprehensive Ranking System that will take effect on 3 November 2026. Under the IRCC announcement released on 16 October, eligible Canadian work experience and qualifying job offers in high-wage occupations will receive a revised treatment. The change is forthcoming, rather than already operating this week.

Candidates who want their job offer considered should review the information in their profiles before 3 November. IRCC says existing scores will be recalculated and that invitation rounds will pause during a process that may take up to two weeks.

How the new factor works

The official backgrounder explains that eligible candidates receive the higher of the points available for Canadian work experience or a qualifying job offer; those two options are not added together. The factor’s maximum is 150 points without an accompanying spouse or common-law partner, or 140 with one.

Job offers in the three high-wage tiers can attract 50, 70 or 100 points. The backgrounder also states that an LMIA will no longer be required for a qualifying offer to receive these new Express Entry points. IRCC will still assess whether the offer is genuine and meets the applicable program conditions.

High wage is an occupation classification

The official high-wage occupation guidance uses the median earnings associated with a National Occupational Classification code. It is not based simply on the salary one particular applicant earns. A candidate should therefore check the official occupation list and code, rather than assume that a large individual salary is sufficient.

The practical preparation is to reconcile the profile with current employment records: duties, employer, location, dates and the terms of any offer. Where the description of the job has changed, the evidence should be reviewed before claiming points.

Additional points do not guarantee an invitation, and the announcement is not permission to begin a Canadian job. Ranking for permanent residence, program eligibility and authority to work each require their own checks. Applicants already holding an invitation should follow their account instructions and the rules applicable to that invitation rather than assume a November reform automatically changes the existing deadline.