Express Entry’s New CRS Rules (November 2026): What Changed and What to Do Now

On November 3, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) made the biggest change to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) in years. If you are in the Express Entry pool, your score may already be different — and the strategy that worked last year may no longer be the best one.

1. A new “Labour Market Integration” factor

The old Canadian work experience factor is now part of a broader Labour Market Integration factor worth up to 150 points (140 if you have an accompanying spouse). You earn these points in one of two ways — whichever gives you more, not both:

• Canadian work experience: up to 80 points for length (1 year = 40, 5+ years = 80 for single applicants) plus up to 70 points if at least 12 months were in a high-wage occupation.
• A high-wage job offer: 100, 70 or 50 points depending on whether the occupation’s median wage is at least 2×, 1.5× or 1.3× the national median.

2. What is a “high-wage occupation”?

IRCC publishes a list of NOC codes grouped into three levels based on the median wage of everyone in that occupation in Canada — not your personal salary. The current list took effect November 3, 2026 and uses 2023–2025 data. Examples at the top level include financial managers, engineering managers, computer and information systems managers, physicians, nurse practitioners and lawyers.

3. Job offers no longer need an LMIA

LMIA and LMIA-exemption requirements were removed for all Express Entry job offers. A valid job offer can still help you qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker or Federal Skilled Trades programs, but it only adds CRS points if it is in a high-wage occupation. IRCC notes its online system may still ask for LMIA information, so follow the profile-update instructions carefully.

4. Draws are paused while scores are recalculated

IRCC says recalculating existing profiles may take up to two weeks and that invitation rounds are paused until it is complete. The last rounds before the change included a Canadian Experience Class draw on October 15 (cut-off 519) and a Transport Occupations draw on October 28 (cut-off 477).

What you should do now

1. Recalculate your score with our updated CRS calculator.
2. Check your NOC against the high-wage list — a correct NOC choice now matters more than ever.
3. Update your profile if you have a valid job offer you did not include before.
4. Revisit other levers: language retakes (CLB 9+ unlocks maximum transferability points), French, a provincial nomination (600 points) or Canadian education.

Every profile is different. If your score dropped — or you are not sure which NOC applies — a short consultation can save months.