Canada’s Express Entry system overhaul is stirring up concerns, particularly among Indian professionals, as the recent changes will significantly affect the Permanent Residency (PR) process. The elimination of extra points for job offers has left many candidates uncertain about their prospects, especially in regions with large numbers of skilled immigrants, such as Telugu-speaking cities in India.
The revised regulations, effective from Spring 2025, are expected to increase competition for PR and could potentially lengthen the wait times by 3 to 5 years, according to immigration consultants.
What’s Changing in the Canada Express Entry System?
| Change | Current System | New System (Spring 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| LMIA-Backed Job Offer | Candidates with job offers receive 50 to 200 extra CRS points | No additional points for job offers under LMIA |
| CRS Points for Age | Points decrease after age 29, affecting older candidates | Age-based points continue but no LMIA-based adjustments |
| Key Focus Areas | Age, education, language proficiency, and Canadian experience | Increased emphasis on education, language skills, and local experience |
As of Spring 2025, the removal of Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)-backed job offers from the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) has raised several concerns for foreign workers. Under the current system, job offers from Canadian employers allow candidates to earn extra points, significantly boosting their CRS score and improving their chances of being invited to apply for Permanent Residency (PR).
However, these changes mean that candidates will no longer receive this advantage, leading to increased competition among applicants. The new system will place greater emphasis on factors such as education, language proficiency, and Canadian work experience.
Concerns Among Indian Professionals
Many professionals, particularly those from India, are worried about how these changes will impact their chances of obtaining PR in Canada. Ravi Kothapalli, a software engineer based in Toronto, voiced his concerns to the Times of India. He stated, “I was just 300 points shy of the required CRS score and was banking on my LMIA-backed job offer to bridge the gap. This change feels like the goalpost has shifted midway. It’s disheartening and has left me uncertain about my future in Canada.”
Kothapalli, who moved from Hyderabad to Toronto in 2017 as a student and later secured a position with a local firm, is not alone in his concerns. Many skilled workers from Indian cities, including Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru, are facing similar challenges due to the increased competition for PR and the changing criteria for qualification.
What Are the Changes in the Canada Express Entry System?
Canada’s Immigration Minister Marc Miller recently outlined the key changes in the Express Entry system, which are primarily aimed at reducing fraud and improving border management. These changes will particularly affect candidates from India, who are seeking to enter Canada legally for permanent residency.
Key Changes Under the New Regulations
- No Additional CRS Points for Job Offers:
- Current System: Candidates who secure a job offer from a Canadian employer receive an LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment), which can earn them 50 to 200 extra points on their CRS score.
- New System (Spring 2025): LMIA-backed job offers will no longer contribute additional CRS points. This decision is seen as a shift in Canada’s immigration priorities, focusing more on the core skills and qualifications of applicants.
- Age-Related CRS Points:
- Under the current system, the CRS score decreases as the applicant grows older. Once a candidate crosses the age of 29, the number of points they receive for age begins to decline.
- With the elimination of LMIA-backed points, older professionals, particularly those in their 30s and 40s, will face an uphill battle to meet the cut-off CRS score.
- Increased Emphasis on Education and Language Proficiency:
- As the LMIA points are removed, there will be a greater focus on human capital factors such as education, language proficiency, and Canadian work experience.
- Industry experts indicate that the new system will favor candidates with higher educational credentials and strong language skills.
Impact on Indian Applicants
The changes in the Canada Express Entry system are particularly impactful for Indian applicants. With the removal of the LMIA-backed job offer advantage, the competition for PR will become even more intense, especially for professionals in technical fields like IT and engineering.
Saurabh Arora, from University Living, an international accommodation service provider, explains, “For Indian students and professionals, building strong credentials and gaining Canadian work experience will become even more critical. The education system in India, combined with good language proficiency, will determine your success in securing a PR invite.”
For those in older age brackets (30-40 years), the removal of LMIA points adds pressure to perform exceptionally in other aspects of the immigration system, such as education and work experience.
What’s Next for Indian Applicants?
If you’re an Indian professional looking to apply for Permanent Residency in Canada, it’s important to adapt to these new changes:
- Boost Your Education and Language Proficiency: Strong educational credentials and high language test scores (such as IELTS or CELPIP) will play a decisive role in the new Express Entry system.
- Gain Canadian Work Experience: Candidates with work experience in Canada will have a competitive advantage under the new system.
- Stay Active in the Pool: If you don’t receive an invitation in the next few rounds, don’t lose hope. Your Express Entry profile will remain valid for 12 months, giving you a chance to be invited in the future.
What Should You Do Next?
For those concerned about the Canada Express Entry system overhaul, here are some steps you can take:
- Update Your Express Entry Profile: Make sure your profile reflects the latest details about your education, work experience, and language proficiency.
- Prepare for the Future: As the immigration rules evolve, keep refining your qualifications to meet the changing demands of the Express Entry system.
- Stay Informed: Follow updates from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to understand any further changes to the process.
The Canada Express Entry system overhaul has created uncertainty for many skilled workers, particularly from India, as the elimination of LMIA-backed points for job offers adds new challenges to the already competitive process of obtaining Permanent Residency. While the revised system will place greater emphasis on education, language skills, and Canadian work experience, applicants need to stay informed and adapt to these changes to increase their chances of success.
