What you need to know
At least one year of Canadian work experience in a high-wage occupation adds 20, 40 or 70 points, depending on the occupation’s wage level.
A qualifying job offer in a high-wage occupation is worth 50, 70 or 100 points. From November 3, a labour market impact assessment (LMIA) may no longer be required for that offer to earn points, as long as the offer qualifies.
The two do not stack. You receive whichever option gives you more points.
Wherever you are in your journey, BorderPass has a next step: a Pathway Assessment to start, then support for your Express Entry profile and your permanent residence application.
Does my job count as high-wage under the new Express Entry rules?
Your job counts if your occupation’s median wage is at least 1.3 times the median wage of the Canadian workforce. The rules look at the typical wage for your occupation rather than your own salary. Eligible jobs include roles in health care, skilled trades, engineering, technology and education. A BorderPass Pathway Assessment confirms where your occupation falls, what that means for your score today and how to raise it. Skilled trades and physicians providing publicly funded medical services have specific job offer requirements, so people in those fields should get a Pathway Assessment before relying on the standard rules.
How many extra Express Entry points can I get?
You can get up to 100 points for a qualifying job offer, or up to 70 extra points for Canadian work experience in a high-wage occupation. The work experience points sit on top of your regular Canadian work experience points, for a total of up to 150 (140 with an accompanying spouse or partner).
Occupation wage level | 12+ months of Canadian work experience | Qualifying job offer |
|---|---|---|
2 times the median wage | +70 points | 100 points |
1.5 times the median wage | +40 points | 70 points |
1.3 times the median wage | +20 points | 50 points |
Your Pathway Assessment shows which row applies to you, where your score stands now and the plan to get it where it needs to be.
What should I do now?
Your next step depends on where you are in your journey. BorderPass supports each stage, from a first Pathway Assessment to your permanent residence application, and a licensed Canadian immigration lawyer reviews your work before you submit.
Just starting out?
A BorderPass Pathway Assessment shows where your Express Entry score stands today and builds a plan to reach a competitive score, alongside every other work and permanent residence option open to you. A licensed Canadian immigration lawyer reviews it.
Already in the Express Entry pool?
BorderPass Express Entry helps you build and update your profile, including adding job offer details before November 3, and tracks your score and every draw.
Invited to apply?
BorderPass PR guides you step by step through your permanent residence application, and a lawyer reviews it before you submit.
Have a job offer? Update your job offer details on BorderPass before November 3, and BorderPass will add them to your profile for you. Invitation rounds will pause for up to two weeks while scores are recalculated, and BorderPass tracks every draw and sends key-date reminders, so you will know when they resume.
Want a quick number first? The BorderPass CRS score calculator gives you an estimate of your current Express Entry score. For a wider look at your options, read our guide to pathways to permanent residence in Canada.
Take your next step before November 3
The new rules can move you closer to permanent residence, and the deadline for job offer points is close. Get your BorderPass Pathway Assessment to see where your score stands today and get a plan to reach a competitive score. Further along? Use BorderPass Express Entry for your profile, or BorderPass PR for your permanent residence application. New to BorderPass? Start here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes. Profiles already in the pool will be rescored automatically, including the new points for Canadian work experience. Job offer points are the exception: update your job offer details on BorderPass before November 3, and BorderPass will add them to your profile. A BorderPass Pathway Assessment shows whether a job offer could raise your score, so you can act before the deadline.
