Canada’s Express Entry system is undergoing significant changes, with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) set to remove Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for job offers in Spring 2025. This alteration has important implications for South Africans contemplating immigration to Canada.
What’s Changing?
Currently, candidates who possess a valid job offer can receive an additional 50 or 200 CRS points, thereby enhancing their likelihood of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. However, with the forthcoming changes in Spring 2025, these points will no longer be awarded.
Who Will Be Affected?
This modification will impact all new and existing Express Entry candidates, including those currently working in Canada on a temporary basis. Specifically:
– Candidates: Individuals who have created a profile but have not yet received an ITA.
– Applicants: Individuals who have received an ITA and submitted their application.
If you are part of the pool or are planning to apply, this change will directly affect your immigration strategy.
Who Will NOT Be Affected?
It is important to note that individuals who have already received an ITA that includes job offer points or those who have submitted their applications for permanent residence will not be impacted by this change.
Why the Change?
IRCC has characterized this adjustment as a “temporary measure,” although it has not provided specifics regarding its duration. The removal of CRS points applies uniformly across all sectors and types of job offers.
How Does Express Entry Work?
The Express Entry system manages three primary immigration programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
Candidates are evaluated on a scale of 1200 based on various factors such as age, education level, language proficiency, and work experience. Additional points can be earned through factors like having siblings residing in Canada or possessing French language skills.
Importantly, after Spring 2025, job offers will no longer contribute to CRS scores.
What Does This Mean for South Africans?
The elimination of job offer-related advantages necessitates a strategic reassessment for prospective immigrants from South Africa. Candidates should prioritize enhancing their scores through other avenues such as education credentials, language proficiency in English and/or French, and relevant work experience.
What Should You Do?
To navigate these changes effectively:
- Assess Your Profile: Evaluate your current CRS score and identify potential areas for improvement.
- Strengthen Your Credentials: Focus on enhancing your language skills or accumulating additional work experience.
- Explore Other Options: Investigate Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) as they may provide opportunities for extra points.
- Act Quickly: Given the timeline leading up to Spring 2025, it is prudent to begin making adjustments now.
By proactively addressing these elements within your immigration strategy, you can better position yourself within the evolving landscape of Canada’s Express Entry system.
