IEC Work Permit Holders Face Earlier Cut-Off for Bonus CRS Points for job offer

The Young Professionals category is unique within the IEC program, as it was the only one where candidates could receive additional CRS points for a valid job offer—either 50 or 200 points. IEC work permit holders whose permits were issued before December 18, 2024, will continue to receive these points, provided they meet all other job offer requirements.

This adjustment precedes the planned removal of all bonus CRS points for valid job offers, slated for spring 2025. The implications for IEC work permit holders in the Express Entry pool are significant.

Impact on Express Entry Candidates

Express Entry candidates currently earn points for confirmed job offers that meet specific criteria. Offers at the National Occupation Classification (NOC) Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) 0 level (managerial positions within major group 00) can garner 200 CRS points, while offers in other NOCs are worth 50 points.

The upcoming removal of all CRS points for arranged employment, scheduled for spring 2025, means IEC work permit holders face an accelerated timeline. This earlier cut-off specifically impacts those in the Young Professionals category.

The removal of these points will likely cause some candidates in the Express Entry pool to lose either 50 or 200 CRS points. This represents a substantial shift in their chances of receiving an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residency.

Furthermore, IEC work permit holders whose permits were issued after December 18, 2024, experience this point removal much earlier than candidates claiming arranged employment points through other work permits. This could further disadvantage them in the ITA race, as other candidates can still benefit from these bonus points until the spring.

An IRCC officer confirmed that the department is updating its systems and web content to reflect this change.

Reasons for the Change

The reason for this change to arranged employment through the IEC Young Professionals category, prior to the broader changes in the spring, remains unclear.

The immigration department initially announced in December 2024 its intention to remove CRS points for candidates with arranged employment to “reduce the potential for LMIA fraud.” IRCC later confirmed the complete elimination of CRS points for arranged employment in spring 2025. They also clarified that this change affects Express Entry candidates but not those who have already submitted a permanent residence application or received an ITA based on a previous CRS score that included points for arranged employment.

Levelling the Playing Field: How the Removal of Job Offer Points Could Benefit Candidates Without Offers

The elimination of CRS points for job offers, while initially a setback for some, could ultimately create a more equitable system for Express Entry candidates without a job offer. Once the spring 2025 deadline arrives and all candidates, including IEC work permit holders and those with other job offer-backed points, lose this advantage, the competition will shift. The focus will return to core human capital factors: language proficiency, education, work experience, and age.

This levels the playing field, giving candidates who excel in these areas a better chance of receiving an ITA, regardless of whether they have secured a job offer. It places greater emphasis on skills and qualifications, potentially leading to a more diverse pool of successful candidates and a system less reliant on employer-driven selection. While initially disruptive, this change could ultimately benefit those who have strong profiles but lack the resources or connections to secure a job offer beforehand.

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- Rajneesh Kumar