Under Ottawa’s proposed modifications to the Express Entry, higher earnings will be prioritized more than Canadian work experience. If you’re applying for a Canadian permanent residence, having a job that pays higher wages will likely get you approved.
Besides awarding more points for applicants with higher wages, additional details on the proposed changes to the Express Entry system also include standardizing work experience eligibility. Candidates with work experience outside Canada are also given equal consideration.
Here’s what the proposed modifications include:
Merging the three programs into one, and its eligibility requirements include:
- One year of work experience (this can be either in Canada or outside Canada/foreign) in the last three years
- Applicable for all candidates: a standardized language requirement of CLB or Canadian Language Benchmark 6
Proposing changes to the Comprehensive Ranking System would include the removal of multiple scoring criteria. They include:
- Obtaining another credential, specifically the Canadian post-secondary credential
- Having a brother or sister in Canada
- Proficient in the French language
- Removing the 67-point grid utilized by the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Re-introducing job offer points as “High Wage Occupation” CRS factor
The details mentioned above were from the IRCC’s shared slide deck made for the immigration lawyers. They have since been made public, ensuring prospective candidates are aware of the possible new changes.
The proposed changes above are based on what the IRCC indicated for the Forward Regulatory Plan: 2026-2028, which showed the department’s plan to retire the Canadian Experience Class, FSWP, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. The proposed modifications have not been finalized, of course; however, the IRCC is already planning to hold public consultations in Spring 2026. They plan to do this before deciding on the next steps.
New Eligibility Requirements for the Program
Do note that with the current system, each of the Express Entry programs will have its own eligibility criteria. Below is the set of requirements:
Language: Regardless of the occupation, all candidates must have CLB 6 across all four languages. This or NCLC 6 for French. With the current system, the minimum requirements for language range from CLB/NCLC are:
- 4-5 for FSTP candidates
- 5-7 if you are a CEC candidate (but this also depends on the primary occupation); and
- 7 for FSWP candidates
Education: Under the current system, education is only a minimum requirement for FSWP. All other candidates must also have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Do ensure it’s verified through an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
