Canada updates immigration rules and Express Entry ranking system

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has implemented several changes to its immigration and work permit processes. As of October 28, 2026, new instructions for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) direct immigration officers to wait for a decision on an employer’s Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) before deciding associated work permit applications. This update aims to prevent workers from facing refusals due to processing delays in the LMIA system.

Additionally, the federal government is revising the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) used for Express Entry. Starting November 3, candidates may receive between 50 and 100 additional points for qualifying job offers in high-wage occupations, such as engineering and electrical trades. These changes also remove LMIA requirements for certain qualifying job offers used to establish program eligibility. These adjustments are part of a broader effort to align immigration admissions with national labour market needs and support sustainable immigration levels, with a target of admitting 380,000 permanent residents annually through 2028.