Canada has recently introduced major updates to its Express Entry system that directly impact LMIA-supported job offers. As of March 25, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has removed the CRS points for arranged employment, including those supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This press release explains how these changes affect immigration candidates and how Northfield & Associates can support your journey.
What Is an LMIA Job Offer in Canada?
A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document that employers in Canada may need before hiring a foreign worker. When a job offer is backed by an approved LMIA, it was previously considered a strong advantage under the Express Entry system, adding 50 to 200 CRS points to a candidate’s profile.
Many applicants relied on an LMIA job offer in Canada to increase their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. But that has now changed.
LMIA Express Entry Changes 2025:
What Has Changed?
The biggest update is that arranged employment CRS points have been removed. Until now, Express Entry candidates received:
- 50 CRS points for a valid job offer in a NOC TEER 1, 2, or 3 job
- 200 CRS points for a job offer in a senior management position (TEER 0)
As of March 25, 2025, these CRS points for job offers in Canada no longer apply. This means candidates with an LMIA-based job offer will not receive extra points in the Express Entry draw.
Why Did IRCC Remove CRS Points for Arranged Employment?
According to IRCC, this change helps reduce the misuse of LMIA job offers. The government wants to prevent cases where candidates pay for job offers, which is illegal in Canada.
The new system focuses more on human capital factors like age, education, language ability, and work experience rather than job offers. It encourages fairness and ensures that the Express Entry system reflects the best candidates without manipulation.
Who Is Affected by These CRS Score Changes?
The LMIA Express Entry changes in 2025 will impact many skilled workers applying for permanent residence in Canada.
Candidates With LMIA Job Offers
If you relied on an LMIA-supported offer to boost your CRS score, you may now fall below the cutoff in future Express Entry draws.
For example:
- A candidate with a CRS score of 480 plus 50 points for a job offer (total 530) will now remain at 480
- This can affect your ranking in the pool and delay or block your ITA
Candidates Without Job Offers
If you applied through Express Entry without a job offer, this change may help you. Since fewer candidates will have artificially boosted scores, you may now be more competitive in the pool.
Express Entry Without Job Offer in 2025:
Is It Still Worth Applying?
Yes. Many candidates have successfully immigrated through Express Entry without a job offer.
You can now focus on:
- Improving your language test scores (IELTS, CELPIP)
- Gaining more skilled work experience in Canada
- Completing additional education or credential assessments
- Exploring Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
At Northfield & Associates, we help clients identify strong pathways to permanent residence. Even if you do not have a job offer, you may still qualify under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class, or a PNP stream.
How Northfield & Associates Helps You Navigate LMIA and Express Entry Changes
With Northfield & Associates is your trusted legal partner for immigration matters. Our immigration lawyers stay updated with the latest Canada immigration news and provide legal advice tailored to your unique situation.
We offer:
- Express Entry profile evaluations
- Strategies for improving CRS scores without relying on arranged employment
- Help with understanding LMIA requirements and job offers
- Guidance through PNP applications and alternatives to Express Entry
- Transparent, client-first legal support from licensed Canadian immigration professionals
Stay Updated on Canada Immigration News 2025 With Northfield & Associates
This year’s LMIA Express Entry changes are just one example of how immigration rules can shift quickly. Working with a knowledgeable team like Northfield & Associates ensures that you are always one step ahead.
Whether you have questions about arranged employment CRS points, need help applying for permanent residence, or want to explore Express Entry without a job offer, we are here to guide you.
What Should You Do Next?
If you were depending on CRS points from an LMIA job offer in Canada, it is time to reassess your strategy. These changes may seem discouraging, but they also open doors for candidates who bring value to the Canadian labour market in other ways.
Contact Northfield & Associates today to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced immigration consultant or lawyers. We will help you understand your options and take confident steps toward Canadian permanent residence.
At Northfield & Associates, we understand the complexities of your situation and know how to navigate them effectively. Our experienced team will conduct a thorough review of your case and offer clear, honest guidance tailored to your needs. With a proven track record of helping clients overcome challenging circumstances, we bring a combination of skill, insight, and compassion to every case we handle.
At our firm, we are committed to empowering clients through clear, practical legal guidance tailored to their individual needs. Our experienced attorneys and consultants work closely with you to develop strategic solutions that align with your specific goals. Contact us today to learn how we can support you in navigating your legal challenges with confidence.
Serving Clients Across Canada and Beyond
At Northfield & Associates, we are proud to provide dedicated legal and consulting services to clients across Canada and internationally. Whether you’re navigating a family dispute, facing criminal charges, managing business-related legal matters, or seeking support with immigration law and consulting, our experienced team is here to assist you.
We approach every case with care, integrity, and a commitment to achieving the best possible outcome. Our lawyers and consultants will thoroughly assess your situation and offer clear, honest guidance tailored to your needs. With a proven track record of helping clients overcome complex legal challenges, we combine skill, experience, and compassion in everything we do.
Book a Consultation with Northfield & Associates Today
If you’re seeking legal guidance or consultation, we welcome you to connect with the team at Northfield & Associates. With extensive experience, in-depth knowledge, and a commitment to excellence, we are here to support you through every stage of your legal matter.
We offer personalized consultations to assess your unique situation and clearly outline your available legal options. Appointments can be scheduled in person or via secure video conferencing, whichever is most convenient for you.
Based outside of Canada?
No problem. Many of our clients choose to travel or meet virtually because they recognize the strategic advantage of working with a firm known for delivering results.
Contact us today to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward resolving your legal concerns with confidence.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice. Readers should seek tailored legal advice in relation to their personal circumstances.
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About Northfield
Northfield & Associates International Corporation is a global strategic advisory and consulting firm partnering with private equity, sovereign, and institutional investors to deploy capital, manage regulatory, supporting senior leadership, boards, and capital providers across Cambodia, Canada, and international markets operating in complex regulatory, economic, and geopolitical environments, and drive enterprise value creation across complex global markets.
We advise boards, executives, entrepreneurs, and public-sector decision-makers on business strategy, institutional transformation, and high-stakes market challenges requiring disciplined judgment, capital efficiency, and execution certainty. Our work is concentrated across priority global sectors, including agribusiness, aviation and automotive, energy and natural resources, financial services, healthcare, infrastructure, real estate, immigration, education, and information technology.
Our platform integrates sector-specific intelligence with multidisciplinary advisory capabilities. Clients benefit from coordinated access to consulting, legal and regulatory counsel, financial management, risk assessment, real estate advisory, immigration, education, and technology expertise. This integrated model supports informed capital allocation, regulatory-compliant investment structuring, and execution-ready strategies designed to optimise returns, preserve downside protection, and enhance risk-adjusted performance.
Northfield combines consulting rigor with legal and regulatory judgment to support capital markets-aligned decision-making in complex, regulated, and rapidly evolving environments. We partner with private enterprises, institutional investors, family offices, and public-sector entities to structure, deploy, and manage capital effectively; strengthen governance; mitigate regulatory and geopolitical risk; and drive sustainable enterprise value creation.
Our engagements span strategy formulation, operational optimisation, organisational design, and change execution. We deliver measurable outcomes that improve financial performance, support disciplined growth, enhance valuation, and generate durable returns on investment for investors, shareholders, and institutional stakeholders. We operate with independence, precision, and accountability, aligned with long-term value creation and fiduciary standards.
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