vbybnCanada Express Entry + LMIA: What You Need to Know (2025 Guide)
Introduction
If you are exploring immigration options to Canada, you’ve likely heard of Express Entry — the flagship federal immigration system for skilled workers. But many applicants also ask: how do job offers and LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessments) work with Express Entry? In 2025, Canada has introduced significant changes to this interplay. In this article, you will learn:
What LMIA is and when it’s required
How Express Entry and job offers interact (especially with LMIA)
What kinds of jobs qualify under Express Entry + LMIA
Recent policy changes you must know (especially March 25, 2025)
Tips to optimize your chances
A sample roadmap for leveraging LMIA + job offers under Express Entry
What Is LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment)?
An LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) is a document that a Canadian employer may need to obtain before hiring a foreign worker. It is meant to ensure that hiring a foreign worker will not negatively impact Canadian workers (i.e. there was no suitably qualified Canadian or permanent resident to fill the role).
Key points about LMIA:
Only employers apply for LMIA, not foreign workers.
A positive LMIA is permission from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) that a job offer to a foreign worker is acceptable under labour market conditions.
An LMIA is typically valid for 6 months from issuance.
Some job offers are LMIA-exempt under certain programs, such as under the International Mobility Program (IMP).
Employers must often demonstrate recruitment efforts to hire Canadians/permanent residents before resorting to LMIA.
LMIA processes differ depending on whether the job is considered high wage or low wage in the province/territory.
An LMIA is a key tool for ensuring that foreign labour is used only when domestic labour is insufficient. In migration cases, an LMIA-backed job offer has historically carried weight in Express Entry.
Express Entry: Overview & Key Streams
Express Entry is Canada’s online immigration selection system for skilled workers. It manages applications for three main economic immigration programs:
1. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
2. Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
3. Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
To enter the Express Entry pool, an applicant must meet eligibility in one of those programs (education, work experience, language, etc.). Then, the system ranks candidates by a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. Periodically, IRCC issues Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to top-ranking candidates.
Until 2025, one way to boost your CRS was via a valid job offer, especially if supported by an LMIA. But major changes took place in 2025 — which we’ll cover below.
How Job Offers + LMIA Historically Interacted with Express Entry
What Made a Job Offer “Valid” for CRS Points
Not all job offers qualified for CRS points under Express Entry. To be “valid,” a job offer generally had to meet strict criteria:
Must be written and specify job duties, pay, hours, etc.
Not from a diplomatic mission, embassy, high commission, consulate in Canada
For the FSWP / CEC streams, the job must be full-time, non-seasonal, continuous, paid, and valid for at least one year post-PR issuance.
The job must fall under the NOC (or TEER) categories 0, 1, 2, or 3 (i.e., skilled occupations)
The job offer must either:
1. Be backed by a new positive LMIA naming you and your specific position, or
2. Be offered by the same employer you already work for, if your work permit was originally based on LMIA, under certain conditions.
If all these boxes were checked, the job offer could grant 50 CRS points (in many cases) or up to 200 for certain senior roles.
Why LMIA-Backed Job Offers Were Attractive
They could boost CRS scores significantly (making it easier to receive an ITA).
They signaled stronger commitment from employer and stability of employment.
For some immigration streams or provincial nominee programs, a valid job offer (often with LMIA) was a requirement or gave preference.
However, this advantage has been reformed as of 2025 — and that changes the calculus.
Major 2025 Change: Removal of CRS Points for Job Offers
One of the most significant changes in 2025 is that job offers (LMIA-based or LMIA-exempt) no longer give CRS points in Express Entry. This change took effect on March 25, 2025.
What Is Removed, and What Remains
Before March 25, 2025, a valid job offer could earn 50 or 200 CRS points. That has been eliminated.
The removal applies to both LMIA-backed and LMIA-exempt job offers.
Candidates who already received an ITA or had an in-progress PR application before the change are not affected retroactively.
Implication: Going forward, your CRS score will rely more entirely on education, language ability, work experience, age, etc.—job offers no longer provide a direct bonus.
Why This Change Happened
The Canadian government cited concerns over fraud, misuse of LMIAs, and the gaming of the system (e.g. job offers sold to boost CRS) as drivers for this reform.
However, job offers and LMIA remain relevant for eligibility in certain streams and programs (even if they do not boost your CRS). We’ll explain how below.
Why Job Offers + LMIA Still Matter Under Express Entry
Even though job offers no longer give CRS points, they still play a role in eligibility and program compliance:
1. Express Entry eligibility requirements
For some streams (Federal Skilled Worker, Skilled Trades, Provincial Nominee streams), having a job offer backed by LMIA or being already employed by the same employer under LMIA-based permit might be part of the eligibility conditions.
2. Validity of job offer requirement
Even though it doesn’t confer points, job offers must still maintain the traditional validity conditions (full-time, continuous, paid, etc.) to count for eligibility.
3. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
Many PNP streams look favorably on those holding job offers from local employers (often supported by LMIA) — sometimes making them eligible for streams others cannot use.
4. Demonstration of intention and connection to labour market
A genuine employer willingness to hire you with an LMIA-backed offer signals to IRCC that you have real employment prospects in Canada.
5. LMIA remains necessary for many work permit / bridging cases
If you want to transition from temporary work visa to permanent residency or extend your status, having LMIA-supported employment helps in many scenarios.
In short: job offers and LMIA are now more about eligibility and legitimacy, less about immediate CRS boost.
What “Jobs with LMIA for Express Entry” Means — and What Types Qualify
Now we focus on what kinds of jobs are typically suitable under Express Entry + LMIA regime.
Eligible Job Categories (TEER Levels 0, 1, 2, 3)
To be considered for Express Entry with valid LMIA-based or LMIA-exempt job offers, the job usually must fall into TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 (i.e. skilled occupations).
Examples of roles:
Professional / managerial jobs: software engineer, financial analyst, project manager
Health & medical: nurses, physiotherapists, medical technologists
Engineering / technical: mechanical, electrical, civil engineers; lab technologists
Education / research / academia: university lecturer, researcher, high school teacher
Skilled trades (under FSTP): electricians, carpenters, plumbers, machinists
Certain roles may require extra certification or licensing depending on province or regulated status.
LMIA vs LMIA-Exempt Examples
Some job offers are exempt from LMIA under specific agreements or policies — e.g.:
Intra-company transfers
International Mobility Program exemptions
Trade agreements (CUSMA / USMCA, etc.)
If your job is LMIA-exempt, that job offer might still count as “valid” under Express Entry rules (depending on your situation) but no longer gives CRS points since 2025.
It’s important to check whether your job is LMIA-exempt (and under which exemption code) and whether your work permit is employer-specific under that arrangement.
Roadmap: How to Use a Job Offer + LMIA in Your Express Entry Strategy (2025 Onward)
Here’s a practical step-by-step plan for job seekers wanting to use LMIA + job offers in their Express Entry pathway in 2025:
Step Action Notes / Tips
1 Assess Your Eligibility for Express Entry (FSWP, FSTP, CEC) Ensure you have the minimum education, work experience, language, etc.
2 Obtain or secure a job offer Aim for full-time, continuous, non-seasonal, skilled (TEER 0–3) job
3 Ask employer to apply for LMIA (if needed) If job is not LMIA-exempt, employer must apply for positive LMIA.
4 Ensure job offer is “valid” Written contract, duties, hours, one-year after PR, etc.
5 Submit or update Express Entry profile Even though job offers no longer give CRS points, you should still include details (employer, NOC, LMIA if any)
6 Explore PNP streams in provinces Some PNPs may favor applicants with job offers in that province
7 Highlight LMIA-backed offer in PR application Use it to satisfy eligibility or program-specific requirements
8 Monitor changes & policy updates Immigration regulations evolve — stay updated
Even though job offers no longer boost CRS, you should treat LMIA-backed offers as a strategic asset that strengthens your overall profile and eligibility.
Challenges & Pitfalls to Watch Out For
No more CRS boost — many applicants relied heavily on job offers for extra points. That advantage is now removed.
LMIA processing times and costs — delays or employer unwillingness can block your path.
Strict criteria for “valid” job offer — many offers fail to meet all conditions (e.g. duration, non-seasonality, post-PR term)
Regulated professions / licensing — your job may require provincial licensing or certifications.
Employer non-compliance / fraud — be cautious of fraudulent “job offer for hire” schemes; always verify legitimacy.
Policy changes over time — the 2025 removal of job offer points is a major shift; further changes may come.
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