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Canada drops Canadian-worker test for high-wage offers
Starting Nov. 3, Express Entry will award points for qualifying high-wage offers and Canadian work experience, while invitations pause for score recalculations.
The Canadian Press reports that Immigration Minister Lena Diab announced in Kitchener, Ont., on Oct. 16 that Ottawa will add Express Entry points for qualifying high-wage jobs and Canadian work experience, and will remove the labour market impact assessment (LMIA) requirement for qualifying job offers starting Nov. 3.
The Canadian Press reports that employers will no longer have to prove they cannot find a qualified Canadian for jobs that qualify under the new points rules1. CIC News says qualifying job offers will not need a Labour Market Impact Assessment to earn the points2.
The new Labour Market Integration Factor awards points according to how a job’s pay compares with the Canada-wide median wage: 1.3, 1.5, or 2 times that median. CIC News reports that qualifying job offers can earn 50, 70, or 100 points, while qualifying Canadian work experience can earn 20, 40, or 70 points. Applicants receive points for whichever of the two categories gives them the higher score2.
Express Entry’s scale is substantial: CIC News reports that Canada has selected more than 100,000 skilled workers per year through the system in recent years2.
The revised points take effect Nov. 3, and Express Entry invitations will pause while the government recalculates scores; CIC News reports that the pause may last up to two weeks2. Applicants and employers can watch for the new rules to begin on that date1.