If you’re an International Experience Canada (IEC) work permit holder, there’s an important update you need to know. Starting December 18, 2024, IEC work permit holders will no longer receive Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for arranged employment under the Express Entry system. This change affects those in the Young Professionals category, the only IEC category that previously allowed candidates to claim these points.
Here’s what this means for you and how it could impact your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residency (PR).
What’s Changing for IEC Work Permit Holders?
Under the current rules, Express Entry candidates can earn extra CRS points for having a valid job offer in Canada. These points are awarded based on the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system, which categorizes jobs by skill level and responsibilities. For example:
- 200 CRS points for managerial roles (NOC TEER 0, major group 00).
- 50 CRS points for other skilled roles (NOC TEER 1, 2, or 3).
However, if you hold an IEC work permit issued after December 18, 2024, you will no longer qualify for these points. This change applies specifically to the Young Professionals category, which was the only IEC category that allowed candidates to claim CRS points for arranged employment.
Why Are CRS Points Being Removed?
The Canadian government has decided to remove CRS points for arranged employment to address concerns about Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) fraud. While the broader removal of these points is set for spring 2025, IEC work permit holders are seeing this change earlier.
This means that if your IEC work permit was issued after December 18, 2024, you won’t be able to claim the extra 50 or 200 CRS points for a valid job offer. This could significantly impact your Express Entry profile, especially if you were relying on these points to boost your CRS score.
How Does This Impact IEC Work Permit Holders?
If you’re an IEC work permit holder in the Express Entry pool, this change could lower your CRS score and reduce your chances of receiving an ITA. Here’s why:
- Loss of Points: Without the additional 50 or 200 CRS points, your overall score may drop below the cut-off for recent Express Entry draws.
- Competitive Disadvantage: Other candidates with valid job offers (outside the IEC program) can still claim these points until spring 2025, putting you at a disadvantage.
For example, if you’re in the Young Professionals category and your CRS score was 480 with the job offer points, losing 50 points would drop your score to 430. This could make it harder to compete in Express Entry draws, where cut-off scores often range between 470 and 500.
What Should You Do If You’re Affected?
If you’re an IEC work permit holder impacted by this change, here are some steps you can take to improve your CRS score:
- Improve Your Language Skills: Retake language tests like IELTS or CELPIP to achieve a higher Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score.
- Gain More Work Experience: Additional Canadian or foreign work experience can boost your CRS points.
- Pursue Further Education: Completing a Canadian degree or diploma can add valuable points to your profile.
- Apply for a Provincial Nomination: A nomination from a province like Ontario or British Columbia adds 600 CRS points, significantly increasing your chances of receiving an ITA.
Why Did This Change Happen?
The Canadian government announced this change to reduce the risk of LMIA fraud. By removing CRS points for arranged employment, they aim to ensure that only genuine job offers are rewarded in the Express Entry system. While this change was initially planned for spring 2025, IEC work permit holders are seeing it earlier due to updates in the rules governing their permits.
What About Other Work Permit Holders?
If you hold a work permit outside the IEC program, you can still claim CRS points for arranged employment until spring 2025. This includes candidates with LMIA-supported job offers or those exempt from the LMIA requirement. However, after spring 2025, all candidates will lose the ability to claim these points, regardless of their work permit type.
The removal of CRS points for arranged employment is a significant change for IEC work permit holders, especially those in the Young Professionals category. If you’re affected by this update, it’s important to explore other ways to boost your CRS score and stay competitive in the Express Entry pool.
Need help navigating these changes? Schedule a Free Work Permit Consultation with our experts at The Immigration Professional to explore your options and improve your chances of success.
