Express Entry Points Increased for High Earners in 2026

Express Entry is Canada’s online system for foreign nationals applying for permanent residence through economic immigration programs. Since its launch over 10 years ago, the system has changed significantly through frequent updates by the Government of Canada. Starting November 3, 2026, major changes to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) will award more points to applicants with Canadian work experience or a job offer in a high-wage occupation.

October 2026 Express Entry Announcement: What Changed

On October 16, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced a change to Express Entry’s CRS that will benefit applicants with experience or a job offer in a high-wage occupation. The changes will also benefit employers hiring in high-wage occupations, and they take effect on November 3, 2026.

How the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Works

Express Entry is a competitive system in which applicants are invited to apply for permanent residence based on their CRS score. Applicants are awarded points and ranked in the Express Entry pool according to how their profile scores.

Points are awarded for human capital factors such as age, education, language proficiency, and Canadian work experience, with additional points for an applicant’s spouse. Skill transferability factors assess education and language skills together in more depth. Additional points are available for French language skills, a sibling in Canada, Canadian post-secondary education, or a nomination from a Provincial Nomination Program (PNP). The recent changes affect the points awarded for Canadian job offers and Canadian work experience.

What Counts as a High-Wage Occupation

The first change concerns how CRS points are allocated to Express Entry candidates with eligible Canadian work experience or a qualifying job offer in a high-wage occupation. Together, work experience and a high-wage job offer make up the Labour Market Integration factor in the CRS score calculation.

The increased points for the Labour Market Integration factor begin on November 3, 2026. A high-wage occupation for Express Entry purposes is one that earns at least 1.3 times the median wage of the overall Canadian workforce. This is based on the typical earnings of the occupation, so an applicant’s previous or current salary has no bearing on the calculation.

IRCC posts a list of high-wage occupations that takes effect on November 3, 2026. The occupations are sorted by their National Occupational Classification numbers and divided into three categories: occupations with a median wage of at least twice the overall median wage, at least 1.5 times but less than twice the median wage, and at least 1.3 times but less than 1.5 times the median wage.

Just under 200 occupations appear on the list, generally in health care, skilled trades, engineering, technology and education. Candidates can check their NOC code against the list to see whether their occupation qualifies.

CRS Points for High-Wage Job Offers and Work Experience

Points for a job offer depend on the occupation’s category. The top category, occupations earning at least twice the median wage, is worth 100 points, the 1.5 times category is worth 70 points, and the 1.3 times category is worth 50 points. For example, a candidate with a qualifying job offer in a top-category occupation could add 100 points to their CRS score.

Points are also available for Canadian work experience, calculated based on the applicant’s occupation level and length of Canadian work experience. Point values increase up to 5 years of experience, with 1 year worth 40 points and 5 years worth 80 points.

Further, high-wage work experience is assessed based on the highest-category occupation in which the applicant worked for at least 12 months in a full-time role. The 2x median wage category is worth 70 points, the 1.5x category is worth 40 points, and the 1.3x category is worth 20 points.

Together, these changes mean applicants can earn a maximum of an extra 150 CRS points for Canadian work experience or a qualifying job offer. Applicants cannot receive points for both.

Job Offer Changes: No LMIA Required

As of November 3, 2026, Express Entry will assess job offers differently. Applicants no longer need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to qualify for program eligibility or CRS points. Having an LMIA will not give applicants additional points or priority in the Express Entry pool. The job offer can be for an existing or new position, with an existing or new employer.

Despite these relaxed requirements, IRCC has confirmed that an officer will assess every job offer and must be satisfied that it is genuine before it can be used for program eligibility or to calculate the Labour Market Integration factor score.

Updating an Existing Express Entry Profile

Express Entry applicants with a qualifying job offer must update their profiles with the necessary job offer information to receive CRS points. Applicants with qualifying Canadian work experience in their profile will receive the points automatically. Candidates with a job offer should update their profiles promptly so their CRS scores reflect the new points.

Applicants with a job offer and an existing profile must indicate that they have a positive LMIA, even though one is technically no longer needed. They must enter an LMIA number of 00000, an issuance date of January 1, 2026, and an expiry date of January 1, 2029.

Why Canada Is Changing Express Entry

Category-based Express Entry draws were introduced a few years ago, signalling that Canada wanted to target specific candidates through the system. The October 16 announcement echoed that approach, with IRCC stating that Canada’s immigration system must be well managed to meet the country’s economic needs. The current changes aim to attract and retain skilled talent in Canada’s workforce and drive economic growth.

Overall, Canada’s immigration policy is fluid, but new decisions appear driven by a focus on attracting well-suited immigrants to fill positions of economic need. Foreign nationals with Canadian work experience, or qualifications in a high-wage occupation, who want to become Canadian permanent residents should speak with an immigration lawyer about submitting an Express Entry profile or updating an existing one. A lawyer can also help confirm whether your occupation is on the high-wage list and whether your job offer meets the genuineness requirement.

Get Express Entry Help from Garson Immigration Law

At Garson Immigration Law, we focus exclusively on immigration law. We understand that waiting on an application can be stressful, and the right strategy can make a real difference to your CRS score. Our immigration lawyers can review your Express Entry profile, explain how the new high-wage occupation and job offer points apply to you, and guide you through each step toward permanent residence.

Whether you are already in the Express Entry pool or considering a profile, we can help. We assist clients with all kinds of immigration matters, including permanent residence, inadmissibility, and US immigration. If you are unsure how the November 3 changes affect your Express Entry profile, reach out to us online or call us at 416-321-2860 to discuss your options.