Canada Removes LMIA Bonus Points from Express Entry..

Canada : has implemented a major policy change in its Express Entry System by removing the additional points given for Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This decision is expected to significantly affect thousands of Indian applicants who were relying on these extra 50 to 200 points to secure their Permanent Residency (PR) invitations.

The Express Entry system is Canada’s primary pathway for skilled immigrants to obtain PR. Previously, candidates with a valid LMIA-backed job offer received extra points, boosting their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and increasing their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA). However, the Canadian government recently decided to eliminate these bonus points, citing concerns over misuse and fraudulent LMIA transactions.

Reports suggest that many individuals were paying between ₹30 to ₹60 lakh for an LMIA job offer, turning the system into a business rather than a legitimate employment-based immigration process. Authorities had been monitoring this issue for a while, and steps were already being taken to address it. Former Immigration Minister Marc Miller had hinted at this change before leaving office.

On March 21, a brief trial was conducted, during which LMIA-based points were temporarily removed from all profiles in the Express Entry pool for four hours. However, they were reinstated shortly afterward. The official announcement came on March 26, when the government finally confirmed the permanent removal of these additional points.

This change has led to a sudden drop in CRS scores for many candidates who were counting on LMIA points. As a result, their chances of receiving an ITA for PR have decreased significantly. Immigration experts believe this move will reshape the Express Entry process by giving more weight to other eligibility factors like work experience, education, and language proficiency.

For Indian applicants, who make up a significant portion of Canada’s skilled immigration pool, this decision is a major setback. Many individuals had invested substantial amounts in obtaining LMIA-based job offers, hoping it would guarantee them a PR invitation. Now, those candidates will need to explore alternative ways to improve their CRS scores or consider other immigration programs.

As Canada continues to adjust its immigration policies, applicants are advised to stay updated and seek legal guidance to navigate these evolving requirements.