Canada’s Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, has announced significant changes to the country’s Express Entry system, introducing new measures aimed at preventing fraud, enhancing border management, and addressing pressing domestic challenges. These changes are expected to have a considerable impact on workers seeking permanent residency, particularly Indian engineers, technicians, and IT professionals.
The changes include revisions to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which assesses candidates applying for permanent residency. Notably, IT professionals and other skilled workers will no longer receive additional CRS points for job offers supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Previously, candidates with LMIA-backed job offers gained a competitive edge by earning an extra 50 to 200 CRS points, depending on the nature of the job. This often provided a crucial advantage in securing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency. The removal of these points will result in heightened competition, as candidates will now be evaluated primarily on other factors, such as age, education, and language proficiency.
Key Changes Introduced
Prohibition of Flagpoling
Temporary residents in Canada are now prohibited from leaving the country briefly and re-entering at a border crossing to update or alter their immigration status. This practice, known as “flagpoling,” is no longer allowed.
Expanded Authority for Immigration Officials
Immigration authorities now possess the authority to cancel or amend immigration documents if doing so serves the public interest, particularly in cases of suspected fraud.
Enhanced Measures Against Illegal Entry
The new policies also include stronger warnings against illegal border crossings. “To anyone considering entering Canada illegally, as we head into the coldest months of the winter, we want to make it clear that trying to cross into Canada between our official ports of entry is dangerous,” Miller said.
Broader Policy Adjustments
These changes are part of a series of recent immigration policy revisions introduced by the Trudeau government. Among these is a reduction in the number of permanent and temporary residents allowed entry over the next three years, a move intended to address ongoing challenges in housing, healthcare, and infrastructure.
Implications for Workers and Employers
The removal of LMIA-based CRS points is expected to have a significant impact on skilled workers, particularly those from India who constitute a substantial portion of the applicant pool in IT and engineering sectors. Employers may also face new challenges in attracting and retaining foreign talent, as the changes reshape the competitive landscape for immigration applicants.
While the exact timeline for these changes to take effect remains unclear, the adjustments reflect Canada’s ongoing efforts to balance immigration needs with broader economic and social priorities.
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