Job offers no longer carry CRS points but remain essential across multiple Canadian immigration programs. Key PR pathways, including PNPs and new pilots, continue to prioritize applicants with employment offers.
Job Offers Remain Key in Canadian Immigration Amid Express Entry Changes
Although the Government of Canada has removed additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for arranged employment under Express Entry, job offers continue to hold significant value for those pursuing permanent residency. The decision, announced on March 25, 2025, eliminates the 50 or 200 CRS points previously awarded to candidates with qualifying job offers. However, employment offers remain critical in many immigration programs.
Several Immigration Pathways Still Require Employment Offers
A number of permanent residence streams mandate that applicants have a job offer from a Canadian employer. These include both provincial and federal programs that facilitate foreign nationals’ transition to permanent residency.
Provincial Nominee Programs Include Multiple Job-Offer Streams
Nearly all provinces and territories operate Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) to address specific labour market needs. These programs include over 80 immigration streams, nearly half of which require a valid job offer. Candidates with a confirmed employment offer from a local employer are often eligible for nomination. A provincial nomination significantly enhances the chances of obtaining permanent residence through federal immigration channels.
Federal Programs Mandate Job Offers for Eligibility
Several federal immigration pilots and programs continue to require job offers as part of the eligibility process.
Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP):
Designed for skilled workers and international graduates, the AIP supports immigration to the Atlantic provinces—New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. A job offer from a designated employer, along with provincial endorsement, is mandatory for eligibility. Successful applicants may also receive a 24-month work permit during the processing of their PR applications.
Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP):
Launched in early 2025, the RCIP aims to distribute immigration benefits to smaller rural communities across Canada. Candidates must meet basic eligibility criteria and present a genuine employment offer from a designated employer within one of the 14 participating communities.
Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP):
Also introduced in 2025, this initiative targets French-speaking candidates aiming to settle in six selected communities. Eligibility requires an intermediate level of French, along with a valid job offer that meets specific program conditions.
Work Experience in Canada Adds CRS Points
While job offers no longer contribute direct CRS points under arranged employment, Canadian work experience remains a valuable CRS factor. Securing employment in Canada on a work permit allows foreign nationals to accumulate experience that enhances their Express Entry profiles.
CRS Points for Canadian Work Experience:
| Years of Canadian Work Experience | With Spouse or Common-law Partner | Without Spouse or Common-law Partner |
| None or less than 1 year | 0 | 0 |
| 1 year | 35 | 40 |
| 2 years | 46 | 53 |
| 3 years | 56 | 64 |
| 4 years | 63 | 72 |
| 5 years or more | 70 | 80 |
Skill Transferability Factors:
Candidates with Canadian work experience can also earn up to 100 points through skill transferability combinations:
| Combination | Maximum Points |
| Canadian Work Experience + Post-secondary Degree | 50 |
| Canadian Work Experience + Foreign Work Experience | 50 |
| Total Combined Points Possible | 100 |
Canadian Experience Class Prioritized in 2025
Canadian work experience is also essential for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), one of the three main immigration programs managed under Express Entry. Eligibility for the CEC requires at least one year of full-time skilled work experience in Canada within the past three years.
In 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) continues to prioritize CEC candidates in Express Entry draws. Recent patterns show an alternating focus on CEC, PNP, and French-language proficiency categories, while general draws have not taken place since April 2024.
Quick Recap:
- Express Entry no longer awards CRS points for job offers as of March 25, 2025.
- PNPs continue to require employment offers for nomination under many streams.
- Federal programs like AIP, RCIP, and FCIP mandate job offers from designated employers.
- Canadian work experience remains a major contributor to CRS points and CEC eligibility.
- Express Entry draws in 2025 prioritize CEC, PNP, and French-language candidates.
For accurate updates on Canadian immigration programs and Express Entry changes, follow The Canada Time.
