Canada will introduce significant changes to Express Entry on November 3rd, the system used to select foreign workers for permanent residency applications. The new rules will allow candidates to earn additional points for Canadian work experience or certain job offers, but they will also require some applicants to update their profiles before that date.
The reform, announced on October 16 by the Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), could benefit foreigners who are already working in the country, including Cubans looking to settle permanently.
One of the most significant changes is that certain job offers can contribute up to 100 points to the classification system, while those who gain work experience in specific occupations can also enhance their scoring.
Who will be able to earn more points?
The new rules will particularly benefit candidates with work experience in Canada and those who have a valid job offer in occupations deemed high-paying.
The sectors included are health, engineering, technology, education, and certain specialized trades.
In the case of workers who have accumulated at least 12 months of eligible work experience in Canada, additional points may be awarded based on the salary category of their occupation:
- 70 additional points for occupations whose median salary is at least double the national median salary.
- 40 additional points for occupations that reach at least 1.5 times that value and do not qualify for the higher level.
- 20 additional points for occupations that reach at least 1.3 times that value and do not correspond to the previous levels.
These points will be added to those earned for the duration of Canadian work experience.
On the other hand, candidates with a job offer eligible in a high-paying occupation may receive 50, 70, or 100 points, depending on the salary category of that job.
However, there is an important condition: the points for Canadian work experience and those corresponding to a job offer will not accumulate together. When a person meets both criteria, the system will use the option that provides the highest score.
Due to Canadian work experience, the new component will allow candidates without a spouse or accompanying partner to reach up to 150 points, and up to 140 for those who do have a partner. In contrast, eligible job offers can contribute a maximum of 100 points. The system will apply the option that provides the highest score, without accumulating both benefits.
The authorities clarified that the classification depends on the median salary of each occupation in Canada, not the individual salary received by the applicant.
Interested parties can consult the official list of eligible occupations, organized according to the National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes.
Attention: some candidates must update their profile before November 3rd
The IRCC also warned that, starting November 3, the electronic form will still require completing fields related to the LMIA, even though this document is no longer mandatory for eligible job offers. For those cases, authorities have established specific instructions on how to complete the provisional fields, available in their official profile update guide.
The Canadian government confirmed that the scores of existing profiles will be recalculated automatically when the new rules come into effect.
However, those seeking to earn points for an eligible job offer must review and update their profile before November 3 to ensure that all required information is correctly recorded.
This is especially relevant for candidates who already have a job offer but have not yet entered their information into the system.
Authorities also warned that the overall recalculation of scores could take up to two weeks.
During that period, the rounds of invitations to apply for permanent residency will be temporarily suspended and will resume once the adjustment is complete.
Canada eliminates a requirement for certain job offers
Another important change will be the removal of the requirement for a Labor Market Impact Assessment, known as LMIA, for job offers that meet the new conditions of Express Entry.
Until now, this document has been used in certain procedures to demonstrate that the hiring of a foreign worker does not adversely affect the Canadian labor market.
Starting from November 3, eligible offers can be used to earn points in the ranking system without the need to submit that assessment.
A job offer can also help meet the eligibility requirements for certain federal programs, even if the occupation is not listed among high-paying jobs. However, to earn additional points in the classification system, the position must be included in the official list of eligible occupations.
However, the removal of this requirement in Express Entry does not mean that the LMIA will disappear from all immigration procedures or work permits in Canada.
Immigration officials will continue to verify that the job offers are legitimate, that employers have the capacity to fulfill them, and that applicants meet the necessary qualifications.
What does the change mean for Cubans who want to emigrate to Canada?
For Cubans who are already working legally in Canada, especially in occupations included in the new categories, the reform could translate into an improvement in their position within the permanent resident selection system.
It also opens up opportunities for professionals and skilled workers who, from abroad, receive a job offer that meets the established conditions.
However, earning additional points does not guarantee receiving an invitation or automatically obtaining permanent residency.
The selection will still depend on the minimum score required in each round and the requirements of the corresponding immigration program.
Authorities recommend consulting the official instructions on Express Entry changes, verifying if the occupation performed is eligible, and keeping the profile information up to date.
The key date is November 3, 2026, when the new scoring system will be implemented, potentially affecting the opportunities of thousands of candidates interested in obtaining Canadian permanent residency.
Related videos:
Filed under: