Canada's new Express Entry points for high-wage work and job offers start November 3

From November 3, 2026, Canada's Express Entry gives extra points for Canadian work experience and job offers in high-wage occupations and drops the LMIA requirement for qualifying job offers. The Philippine Canadian Inquirer says registered nurses qualify but caregivers and home support workers do not.

Changes to Canada's Express Entry system take effect on November 3, 2026, and will affect how candidates are ranked for permanent residence. The Philippine Canadian Inquirer said the new rules place greater emphasis on Canadian work experience and certain high-wage occupations, and looked at what they mean for Filipinos already working in Canada.

Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced the changes on October 16, 2026. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) said that starting November 3, it will award additional points to candidates with eligible Canadian work experience or a qualifying job offer in a high-wage occupation, including jobs such as engineers and electricians.

Extra points by wage level

IRCC groups high-wage occupations into three levels by how the occupation's median wage compares with the average median wage. Extra points for Canadian work experience need at least 12 months in one or more eligible high-wage occupations, and they are added on top of the regular work-length points.

Candidates can receive points for Canadian work experience or for an eligible job offer, not both, and IRCC will use whichever gives the higher score, up to a maximum of 150 points for the new Labour Market Integration factor. IRCC said a high-wage occupation is based on the typical earnings of an occupation, not on an individual candidate's salary.

Nurses in, caregivers out

The Philippine Canadian Inquirer said registered nurses are included in Level 2 and nurse practitioners in Level 1, but home support workers and caregivers are not on this list. It added that Canadian work experience outside the designated occupations will still count toward an applicant's regular score, provided it meets the eligibility requirements.

Job offers without an LMIA

The Inquirer noted that Canada removed points for job offers in March 2025; under the new rules, qualifying job offers in designated high-wage occupations can again earn points. From November 3, a labour market impact assessment (LMIA) will no longer be required for a qualifying job offer, and IRCC said officers will assess whether an offer is genuine. IRCC also said its online system will not yet reflect the change on November 3, so profiles will still ask candidates to select that they have a positive LMIA.

If you are already in the pool

IRCC will recalculate existing profiles automatically, which could take up to two weeks, and invitation rounds will be paused during that time. Candidates who want points for a qualifying job offer must update their profiles before November 3. The Inquirer said a higher score does not guarantee an invitation to apply, and suggested Filipinos check whether their occupation's NOC code appears on IRCC's list of eligible high-wage occupations.

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