Canada CRS Score Explained: How Express Entry Points Work in 2026
Important CRS Changes Effective November 3, 2026
IRCC introduced a new Labour Market Integration factor on November 3, 2026. It changes how points are awarded for Canadian work experience and qualifying high-wage job offers.
Candidates can receive points for either Canadian work experience or a qualifying high-wage job offer, whichever provides the higher score. They cannot receive both.
Canadian work experience points
For candidates without an accompanying spouse:
For candidates with an accompanying spouse, the maximum is 70 points instead of 80.
Additional points for high-wage Canadian work experience
Candidates with at least 12 months of qualifying Canadian work experience in eligible high-wage occupations may receive:
- 70 points for occupations at least twice the national median wage.
- 40 points for occupations at least 1.5 times the national median wage.
- 20 points for occupations at least 1.3 times the national median wage.
Points for qualifying high-wage job offers
Candidates with a qualifying job offer may receive:
A qualifying job offer must meet IRCC's requirements, including the applicable full-time employment and genuineness conditions.
What happened to LMIA requirements?
As of November 3, 2026, an LMIA is no longer required for a job offer to qualify for these Express Entry points.
However, job offers may still be relevant to eligibility under certain immigration programs.
Candidates should review their Express Entry profiles and follow IRCC's current instructions.
Official reference: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/check-score/crs-criteria.html
Canadian work experiencePointsLess than 1 year01 year402 years533 years644 years725 years or more80Occupation wage thresholdCRS pointsAt least 2 times the median wage100At least 1.5 times the median wage70At least 1.3 times the median wage50Below the qualifying thresholds0