Canada Removes Bonus CRS Points for Arranged Employment: What It Means for Express Entry Candidates in 2025

​In a significant policy shift, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced on March 25, 2025, the removal of bonus Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for arranged employment from the Express Entry system. Previously, candidates with a valid job offer could receive an additional 50 to 200 CRS points, significantly enhancing their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency. This change aims to create a more balanced and equitable selection process for all applicants.​

Implications for Express Entry Candidates

The immediate effect of this policy change is a recalibration of CRS scores for candidates who had previously benefited from arranged employment points. For instance, a candidate who earlier had a CRS score of 540, including 50 points for a job offer, will now see their score adjusted to 490. This adjustment may impact their competitiveness in upcoming draws, especially if the CRS cutoff remains high.​

Conversely, candidates without job offers may find themselves in a more favorable position. With the removal of bonus points for arranged employment, the overall CRS score distribution may shift downward, potentially lowering the cutoff scores in future draws. This could increase the chances for candidates who were previously on the cusp of receiving an ITA.​

Temporary Measure with Unspecified Duration

IRCC has indicated that this removal of additional points for arranged employment is a temporary measure. However, no specific timeline has been provided for when or if these points will be reinstated. Candidates are advised to monitor official IRCC communications for updates on this policy.​

Impact on Eligibility for Other Programs

It’s important to note that while the additional CRS points for arranged employment have been removed, a valid job offer remains relevant for eligibility under certain programs. For example, the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and some Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams still consider arranged employment as a critical factor for eligibility.​

Changes Specific to Physicians

The updated Ministerial Instructions have also eliminated provisions that previously allowed physicians’ job offers of less than one year to qualify as arranged employment. This change may affect physicians seeking to immigrate through Express Entry, necessitating a reevaluation of their application strategies.​

Next Steps for Affected Candidates

Candidates currently in the Express Entry pool should take the following steps:​

1. Recalculate CRS Score: Utilize tools like the CanadaVisa CRS Calculator to determine your new score without the arranged employment points.​
2. Explore Alternative Pathways: Investigate other immigration programs where a valid job offer may still provide an advantage, such as specific PNPs or the FSWP.​
3. Stay Informed: Regularly check IRCC updates and reputable immigration news sources to stay informed about any further changes to immigration policies.​

This policy change underscores the dynamic nature of Canada‘s immigration system. Prospective immigrants must remain adaptable and proactive in their application strategies to navigate these evolving landscapes successfully.