Express Entry: 70 CRS points for high-wage work Nov. 3
Express Entry changes for high-wage occupations take effect November 3, 2026, with up to 70 additional CRS points for eligible Canadian work experience. To qualify for that tier, you need at least 12 months in one or more occupations at twice the median wage. Job offers can qualify for points without an LMIA, but update your offer information before the changes take effect.
Quick answer
What are the changes to Express Entry for high-wage occupations?
Eligible candidates can receive additional CRS points for high-wage Canadian work experience, based on their combined qualifying experience and their occupations’ median wages relative to the overall Canadian workforce’s median. If you’re seeking job-offer points, review and update your Express Entry profile before November 3 so your offer information is complete and accurate.
- 70 points: At least 12 months in one or more occupations at 2 times the median.
- 40 points: At least 12 months combined in occupations at 1.5 times the median or above.
- 20 points: At least 12 months combined in occupations at 1.3 times the median or above, if you don’t qualify for 40 or 70 points.
- Profile update: Make sure your job-offer information is complete and accurate before November 3, 2026.
What happens to LMIA requirements?
Qualifying job offers won’t need a labour market impact assessment (LMIA) to establish program eligibility or earn Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points once the changes take effect on November 3, 2026.
The exemption applies to qualifying job offers. It changes the job-offer requirement, not the separate CRS points for high-wage Canadian work experience. IRCC will continue checking that job offers qualify and will act on potential fraud or misrepresentation.
The Labour Market Integration factor can award points for Canadian work experience or a qualifying job offer, but not both. IRCC compares the points available under each option and awards the higher score.
How is a high-wage occupation defined?
Express Entry defines a high-wage occupation by its median wage threshold: the median wage for people in Canada doing that job must be at least 1.3 times the median wage of the overall Canadian workforce.
The test applies to the typical earnings of the occupation, not to your individual position or salary.
Which dates and point tiers should candidates know?
The table sets out the effective date, work-experience tiers and Labour Market Integration maximums.
| Item | Requirement or condition | Points or date |
|---|---|---|
| Effective date | Changes to Express Entry | November 3, 2026 |
| High-wage work experience | At least 12 months in one or more occupations at 2 times the median | 70 points |
| High-wage work experience | At least 12 months combined in occupations at 1.5 times the median or above | 40 points |
| High-wage work experience | At least 12 months combined in occupations at 1.3 times the median or above, if not eligible for 40 or 70 points | 20 points |
| Labour Market Integration maximum | No accompanying spouse or common-law partner | 150 points |
| Labour Market Integration maximum | Accompanying spouse or common-law partner | 140 points |
What should candidates do before November 3?
Candidates seeking job-offer points should review and update their Express Entry profiles before the changes take effect, so their offer information is complete and accurate.
IRCC will recalculate points in existing profiles when the changes take effect. Recalculation may take up to two weeks, and invitation rounds will be paused during that process.
Note
More CRS points can improve your score, but they don’t guarantee an invitation to apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a job offer qualify for Express Entry points?
A qualifying job offer can earn job-offer points without an LMIA once the changes take effect on November 3, 2026. IRCC will continue to verify that offers qualify and act on potential fraud or misrepresentation. You can’t receive Labour Market Integration points for both a qualifying offer and Canadian work experience.
Does receiving additional CRS points guarantee an invitation to apply?
No. Additional CRS points don’t guarantee an invitation to apply.
How long may the profile recalculation take?
Up to two weeks. The recalculation applies to existing Express Entry profiles.
Will invitation rounds continue during recalculation?
No. Invitation rounds will be paused during recalculation.
Next step: Estimate your own score with the CRS Score Calculator, then follow new rounds on our Express Entry draws tracker.
Sources
- Changes to Express Entry for high-wage occupations (Government of Canada, October 16, 2026)
- Canada refocusing Express Entry on top talent that drives economic growth (Government of Canada, October 16, 2026)
