Express Entry Changes on November 3, 2026: New Points for High-Wage Occupations and a New Definition of Qualifying Job Offers
By Andrew Carvajal | Managing Lawyer, Carvajal Law P.C.
The reforms are arriving sooner than expected!
Several of the changes that the federal government announced this year for its skilled worker programs and for the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) are being implemented much sooner than many of us anticipated. On October 16, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) confirmed that the first stage of reforms takes effect on November 3, 2026, less than three weeks away.
This first stage does two things:
It changes the Express Entry CRS score. Candidates will earn new points for eligible Canadian work experience in a high-wage occupation OR for a qualifying job offer in a high-wage occupation.
It changes the definition of a qualifying job offer. A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) will no longer be required for a qualifying job offer, whether the offer is used to earn the new points or to establish eligibility under the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Program or the Federal Skilled Trades (FST) Program.
The practical consequence is immediate and some candidates must update their profiles before November 3 to benefit. Scores will be recalculated automatically for Canadian work experience, but not for job offers that are missing from the profile. Invitation rounds will pause for up to two weeks while the system recalculates every profile in the pool.
The new points: Canadian work experience or a job offer in a high-wage occupation
Starting November 3, candidates can earn points under what the government calls the labour market integration factor, through one of two routes: eligible Canadian work experience (with a bonus if it was in a high-wage occupation) OR a qualifying job offer in a high-wage occupation. Candidates who qualify under both receive whichever route gives more points; the two are never added together.
The factor is capped at 150 points for a candidate without an accompanying spouse or common-law partner and 140 points for a candidate with one.
What is a high-wage occupation?
An occupation qualifies when the median wage of everyone in Canada working under that National Occupational Classification (NOC) code is at least 1.3 times the median wage of the overall Canadian workforce. Something very important is that it depends on the occupation, not of the candidate's own salary. A software developer earning below the market median still benefits from the occupation's level.
Occupations are sorted into three levels: at least 2 times the median, at least 1.5 times (but less than 2 times) and at least 1.3 times (but less than 1.5 times). The level is set using Job Bank data from the previous three years, and each occupation keeps the highest level it reached in any of those years. If the list changes after an invitation is issued, the level in force on the invitation date continues to apply.
Route 1: Canadian work experience in a high-wage occupation
Candidates keep the existing points for the duration of their eligible Canadian work experience (up to 80 points for five years). Those with at least 12 months of that experience in a high-wage occupation receive additional points on top:
Canadian work experience in a high-wage occupation | Additional points |
At least 12 months in one or more occupations at 2 times the median | 70 |
Otherwise, at least 12 months combined in occupations at 1.5 times the median or above | 40 |
Otherwise, at least 12 months combined in occupations at 1.3 times the median or above | 20 |
The tiers allow experience to be combined across occupations, so a candidate with 6 months at the 2 times level and 6 months at the 1.5 times level reaches 12 months at "1.5 times or above" and earns 40. Eligible Canadian work experience must generally have been gained in Canada within the previous 10 years in an occupation in TEERs 0, 1, 2 or 3 of the NOC. Duration plus bonus can reach 150 points.
Route 2: a qualifying job offer in a high-wage occupation
Job offer in an occupation at | Points |
At least 2 times the median wage | 100 |
At least 1.5 times the median wage | 70 |
At least 1.3 times the median wage | 50 |
A job offer in an occupation that is not on the high-wage list earns no points, although it can still be used to meet Federal Skilled Worker or Federal Skilled Trades eligibility (see below). The offer must generally be for full-time, continuous work in Canada for at least one year after the candidate becomes a permanent resident, with specific rules for skilled trades and for physicians providing publicly funded medical services.
How the two routes compare in practice
The examples below assume a candidate without a spouse, using the current duration points for Canadian work experience (40 points for one year, 53 for two years).
Candidate | Canadian work experience route | Job offer route | Points received (highest factor) |
No Canadian experience; offer as a Civil Engineer (21300, 1.5 times level) | 0 | 70 | 70 (job offer) |
1 year as an Accountant (11100, 1.3 times level); offer as a Financial Manager (10010, 2 times level) | 40 + 20 = 60 | 100 | 100 (job offer) |
2 years as a Software Developer (21232, 1.5 times level); offer in the same role | 53 + 40 = 93 | 70 | 93 (experience) |
1 year as a Registered Nurse (31301, 1.5 times level); offer in the same role | 40 + 40 = 80 | 70 | 80 (experience) |
The second row is the case to watch: a strong job offer can outscore modest Canadian experience, but only if the offer is in the profile. Extra points do not guarantee an invitation, which still depends on the cut-off score and requirements of each round.
The high-wage occupation lists
The list below takes effect on November 3, 2026 and is based on 2023 to 2025 data. It contains 31 occupations at the 2 times level, 89 at the 1.5 times level and 66 at the 1.3 times level. Codes are from the 2021 NOC. The government will maintain and update the official list.
Level 1: median wage at least 2 times the national median
Job offer: 100 points. Canadian work experience bonus: 70 points
Code | Occupation |
00011 | Senior government managers and officials |
00012 | Senior managers, financial, communications and other business services |
00013 | Senior managers, health, education, social and community services and membership organizations |
10010 | Financial managers |
10011 | Human resources managers |
10012 | Purchasing managers |
10020 | Insurance, real estate and financial brokerage managers |
10021 | Banking, credit and other investment managers |
20010 | Engineering managers |
20011 | Architecture and science managers |
20012 | Computer and information systems managers |
21330 | Mining engineers |
21332 | Petroleum engineers |
31100 | Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine |
31101 | Specialists in surgery |
31102 | General practitioners and family physicians |
31103 | Veterinarians |
31302 | Nurse practitioners |
31303 | Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals |
40010 | Government managers, health and social policy development and program administration |
40011 | Government managers, economic analysis, policy development and program administration |
40012 | Government managers, education policy development and program administration |
40019 | Other managers in public administration |
40040 | Commissioned police officers and related occupations in public protection services |
40041 | Fire chiefs and senior firefighting officers |
41100 | Judges |
41101 | Lawyers and Quebec notaries |
41200 | University professors and lecturers |
60010 | Corporate sales managers |
80010 | Managers in natural resources production and fishing |
90011 | Utilities managers |
Level 2: median wage at least 1.5 times (but less than 2 times) the national median
Job offer: 70 points. Canadian work experience bonus: 40 points
Code | Occupation |
00014 | Senior managers, trade, broadcasting and other services |
00015 | Senior managers, construction, transportation, production and utilities |
10019 | Other administrative services managers |
10022 | Advertising, marketing and public relations managers |
10029 | Other business services managers |
10030 | Telecommunication carriers managers |
11103 | Securities agents, investment dealers and brokers |
11201 | Professional occupations in business management consulting |
21100 | Physicists and astronomers |
21102 | Geoscientists and oceanographers |
21103 | Meteorologists and climatologists |
21109 | Other professional occupations in physical sciences |
21111 | Forestry professionals |
21120 | Public and environmental health and safety professionals |
21202 | Urban and land use planners |
21210 | Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries |
21211 | Data scientists |
21220 | Cybersecurity specialists |
21221 | Business systems specialists |
21222 | Information systems specialists |
21223 | Database analysts and data administrators |
21230 | Computer systems developers and programmers |
21231 | Software engineers and designers |
21232 | Software developers and programmers |
21300 | Civil engineers |
21301 | Mechanical engineers |
21310 | Electrical and electronics engineers |
21311 | Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) |
21320 | Chemical engineers |
21321 | Industrial and manufacturing engineers |
21322 | Metallurgical and materials engineers |
21331 | Geological engineers |
21390 | Aerospace engineers |
21399 | Other professional engineers |
22231 | Engineering inspectors and regulatory officers |
22312 | Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics |
30010 | Managers in health care |
31110 | Dentists |
31112 | Audiologists and speech-language pathologists |
31120 | Pharmacists |
31200 | Psychologists |
31202 | Physiotherapists |
31203 | Occupational therapists |
31300 | Nursing coordinators and supervisors |
31301 | Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses |
32111 | Dental hygienists and dental therapists |
40020 | Administrators, post-secondary education and vocational training |
40021 | School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education |
40030 | Managers in social, community and correctional services |
40042 | Commissioned officers of the Canadian Armed Forces |
41210 | College and other vocational instructors |
41220 | Secondary school teachers |
41221 | Elementary school and kindergarten teachers |
41310 | Police investigators and other investigative occupations |
41311 | Probation and parole officers |
41320 | Educational counsellors |
41401 | Economists and economic policy researchers and analysts |
41402 | Business development officers and market researchers and analysts |
41404 | Health policy researchers, consultants and program officers |
41407 | Program officers unique to government |
42100 | Police officers (except commissioned) |
42101 | Firefighters |
50010 | Library, archive, museum and art gallery managers |
50011 | Managers, publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts |
51100 | Librarians |
70010 | Construction managers |
70012 | Facility operation and maintenance managers |
70020 | Managers in transportation |
70021 | Postal and courier services managers |
72011 | Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations |
72012 | Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades |
72023 | Supervisors, railway transport operations |
72103 | Boilermakers |
72202 | Power system electricians |
72203 | Electrical power line and cable workers |
72301 | Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers |
72406 | Elevator constructors and mechanics |
72600 | Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors |
72601 | Air traffic controllers and related occupations |
72604 | Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators |
73310 | Railway and yard locomotive engineers |
82020 | Supervisors, mining and quarrying |
82021 | Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services |
83101 | Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers |
90010 | Manufacturing managers |
92011 | Supervisors, petroleum, gas and chemical processing and utilities |
92100 | Power engineers and power systems operators |
93100 | Central control and process operators, mineral and metal processing |
93101 | Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing |
Level 3: median wage at least 1.3 times (but less than 1.5 times) the national median
Job offer: 50 points. Canadian work experience bonus: 20 points
Code | Occupation |
00010 | Legislators |
11100 | Financial auditors and accountants |
11101 | Financial and investment analysts |
11102 | Financial advisors |
11109 | Other financial officers |
11200 | Human resources professionals |
12201 | Insurance adjusters and claims examiners |
12203 | Assessors, business valuators and appraisers |
21101 | Chemists |
21110 | Biologists and related scientists |
21112 | Agricultural representatives, consultants and specialists |
21200 | Architects |
21201 | Landscape architects |
21203 | Land surveyors |
21234 | Web developers and programmers |
22214 | Technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology |
22232 | Occupational health and safety specialists |
22233 | Construction inspectors |
22310 | Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians |
22313 | Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors |
31121 | Dietitians and nutritionists |
32102 | Paramedical occupations |
32103 | Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists |
32120 | Medical laboratory technologists |
32121 | Medical radiation technologists |
32122 | Medical sonographers |
41300 | Social workers |
41400 | Natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants and program officers |
41403 | Social policy researchers, consultants and program officers |
41405 | Education policy researchers, consultants and program officers |
41409 | Other professional occupations in social science |
43201 | Correctional service officers |
43203 | Border services, customs and immigration officers |
50012 | Recreation, sports and fitness program and service directors |
51101 | Conservators and curators |
51102 | Archivists |
51111 | Authors and writers (except technical) |
51112 | Technical writers |
51120 | Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations |
52112 | Broadcast technicians |
60020 | Retail and wholesale trade managers |
60031 | Accommodation service managers |
60040 | Managers in customer and personal services |
72010 | Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations |
72013 | Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades |
72014 | Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers |
72020 | Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades |
72021 | Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews |
72102 | Sheet metal workers |
72105 | Ironworkers |
72201 | Industrial electricians |
72302 | Gas fitters |
72320 | Bricklayers |
72321 | Insulators |
72401 | Heavy-duty equipment mechanics |
72403 | Railway carmen/women |
72404 | Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors |
72500 | Crane operators |
72602 | Deck officers, water transport |
72603 | Engineer officers, water transport |
73311 | Railway conductors and brakemen/women |
82010 | Supervisors, logging and forestry |
83100 | Underground production and development miners |
83120 | Fishing masters and officers |
92010 | Supervisors, mineral and metal processing |
93102 | Pulping, papermaking and coating control operators |
What counts as a job offer, before and after November 3
The second half of this first stage changes is a new definition of gualifying job offers. From November 3, an LMIA or closed LMIA-exempt work permit is no longer required for a job offer to qualify, either for the new points or for FSW and FST eligibility. Instead, a single assessment by an officer will decide whether the offer is genuine.
As context, job offers have earned no ranking points since the government removed arranged employment points in March 2025. Until November 3, a job offer matters only where it is part of program eligibility.
The rule from November 3, 2026
No Labour Market Impact Assessment is required for a qualifying job offer, for points or for eligibility.
Having one gives no advantage: no extra points and no priority.
The offer can be from any employer, for an existing or a new position. The candidate does not need to be working for that employer already.
A temporary public policy exempts candidates invited on or after November 3 from all requirements related to LMIAs and their exemptions for job offers used to establish FSW or FST eligibility, provided they meet the policy's conditions. The text of that public policy had not been published as of the date of this post.
What stays the same are the core features of the offer. For the FSW program, it must be from one employer, paid, continuous, full-time (at least 30 hours a week), non-seasonal, for at least one year after permanent residence and in categories 0, 1, 2 or 3. For the FST program, it can be from up to two employers and must be in one of the eligible trade groups.
Every offer must be recent, in writing and set out the pay, deductions, duties and conditions of employment. Offers from embassies, high commissions or consulates do not count. A job offer in an occupation that is not on the high-wage list can still satisfy FSW or FST eligibility; it simply earns no points.
How officers will assess genuineness
This issue will certainly become extremely important, particularly as Express Entry is flooded with claims of qualifying offers from candidates in and outside Canada. Unfortunately, this may open the door to some fraudulent claims that will surely undergo scrutiny by IRCC.
Replacing an LMIA with an officer's review shifts the evidentiary burden onto the permanent residence application itself and, interestingly enough, the factors mimic some of those assessed by officers who decide on LMIAs and closed work permits. The officer must be satisfied that:
the employer is actively engaged in the business behind the offer;
the offer reflects the employer's reasonable employment needs;
the employer can reasonably meet the terms of the offer;
the candidate is qualified and able to do the work and is likely to accept and carry it out;
the employer has complied with federal and provincial employment and recruitment laws.
Candidates must also show they are likely to be licensed or certified where the occupation is regulated. A revoked offer no longer qualifies.
Expect employer documentation (financial statements, business registration, organizational charts, recruitment records) to matter far more than before, and expect misrepresentation scrutiny where an offer appears to have been obtained for points.
What to do with your profile before November 3
The single most important point is that the automatic recalculation covers Canadian work experience, not job offers. A candidate whose job offer is not already in the profile must add it before November 3, or the recalculated score will ignore it.
If you have a job offer and no Canadian work experience OR If you have a job offer that outscores your Canadian work experience, this is particulalry relevant. Also review your work history entries: the bonus depends on the occupation codes you declared, so they must be accurate and consistent with your reference letters.
How to enter an offer without a Labour Market Impact Assessment
Online Express Entry profiles have not been updated to reflect the new rule, and it will still ask whether a positive assessment was issued. The government's published instructions for a job offer without one are to enter the following:
Profile question | Response |
Was a positive LMIA issued for the job offer in Canada? | Yes |
LMIA Number | 00000 |
LMIA Issuance Date | 2026-01-01 |
LMIA Expiry Date | 2029-01-01 |
A note of caution. These placeholder answers reflect the rules that take effect on November 3. Invitations issued before that date are assessed under the current rules, where a job offer without an assessment does not establish FSW or FST eligibility. A candidate who enters the placeholder values and is invited in a round held before November 3 may face an eligibility problem and a declaration that does not match their circumstances. Consider timing the update close to November 3.
Other points to keep in mind
No invitations for up to two weeks. Rounds pause while the pool is recalculated, so do not expect invitations in early November.
Your occupation's level is locked at invitation. If the high-wage list changes after you are invited, the level in force on the invitation date applies.
More points do not guarantee an invitation. Cut-off scores after the pause may look quite different from recent rounds.
This is only the first stage. Further changes announced this year are still to come, and we will update this article as details are released.
Sources
Canada refocusing Express Entry on top talent that drives economic growth, news release, October 16, 2026
Changes to Express Entry for high-wage occupations, backgrounder, October 16, 2026
This article is general information current as of October 16, 2026 and is not legal advice. If you want an immigration consultation with one of our lawyers contact msanchez@carvajal.ca
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