Canada’s New Express Entry Reforms for Skilled Workers

Canada is enhancing the selection process for permanent residence by prioritizing workers with job offers or Canadian work experience in higher-paying occupations. The government will award additional points under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to qualifying candidates without the need for Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) for the job offers to qualify. These changes will come into effect on November 3, 2026, and Express Entry candidates must update their profiles with the necessary job offer information to receive the additional points.

Qualifying Criteria

To be eligible for the additional points, candidates must have a job offer or eligible Canadian work experience in occupations paying 1.3x, 1.5x, or 2x the Canada-wide median wage.

Eligible Occupations

As of the current government list, the following occupations qualify for bonus points:

1.3x factor occupations:

  • Accommodation service managers (NOC 60031)
  • Agricultural representatives, consultants and specialists (NOC 21112)
  • Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors (NOC 22313)
  • Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors (NOC 72404)
  • Architects (NOC 21200)
  • Archivists (NOC 51102)
  • Assessors, business valuators and appraisers (NOC 12203)
  • Authors and writers (except technical) (NOC 51111)
  • Biologists and related scientists (NOC 21110)
  • Border services, customs, and immigration officers (NOC 43203)
  • Bricklayers (NOC 72320)
  • Broadcast technicians (NOC 52112)
  • Chemists (NOC 21101)
  • Conservators and curators (NOC 51101)
  • Construction inspectors (NOC 22233)
  • Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades (NOC 72013)
  • Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews (NOC 72021)
  • Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations (NOC 72010)
  • Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades (NOC 72020)
  • Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers (NOC 72014)
  • Correctional service officers (NOC 43201)
  • Crane operators (NOC 72500)
  • Deck officers, water transport (NOC 72602)
  • Dietitians and nutritionists (NOC 31121)
  • Education policy researchers, consultants and program officers (NOC 41405)
  • Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians (NOC 22310)
  • Engineer officers, water transport (NOC 72603)
  • Financial advisors (NOC 11102)
  • Financial and investment analysts (NOC 11101)
  • Financial auditors and accountants (NOC 11100)
  • Fishing masters and officers (NOC 83120)
  • Gas fitters (NOC 72302)
  • Heavy-duty equipment mechanics (NOC 72401)
  • Human resources professionals (NOC 11200)