 is a document that employers in Canada may need to obtain before hiring a foreign worker.){kind=link}
In a significant policy shift, the Canadian administration announced a big change regarding the Express Entry Immigration system. Under the new update, candidates applying for permanent residency will no longer receive additional Comprehensive Ranking System offer supported by a LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment).
Marc Miller, Canda’s Immigration Minister said in a statement, “We are introducing additional measures to strengthen program integrity and curb potential LMIA fraud, including the removal of extra points awarded to candidates under Express Entry for having a job offer.”
What is LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment)?
As outlined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) is a document that employers in Canada may need to obtain before hiring a foreign worker. A positive LMIA indicates that there is a genuine need for a foreign worker to fill the position and confirms that no Canadian citizen or permanent resident is available for the job.
Canada Approved 71,300 LMIAs
The report by the Financial Post quoted that Canada approved approximately 71,300 LMIAs in the first quarter of this year, up from 63,300 during the same period last year. The majority of these applications were for positions such as farm workers, cooks, food-counter attendants, truck drivers, and construction laborers.
Why this Decision?
As stated by Miller, the decision of removal of LMIA-based job offers points will enhance the system’s integrity by curbing the immigration fraud. Miller said, “This measure is expected to eliminate the incentive for candidates to purchase an LMIA, thereby enhancing fairness and integrity within the system.”
Impact on Indians
The report of Times of India noted that India remained the leading nation in receiving invitations to apply for permanent residency. The data from the last year highlighted that approximately, 52,100 Indians were invited to be permanent residents. Once in rule, this major change of rules can affect Indian nationals seeking permanent residency in Canada.
What Now?
Following the implementation of this policy, provincial nominations, which offer 600 points, may become an alternative way to boost a candidate’s CRS score under the Express Entry system.
The Canadian government has set a target of 55,000 provincial nominations for each of the three years starting in 2025. In the most recent PNP draw, held on December 16, the CRS cut-off was 727, with Ottawa issuing 1,086 invitations for permanent residency.
This program is designed to prioritize the transition of temporary residents in key sectors to permanent status, helping to manage the growing pressure on Canada’s housing market while addressing labor shortages.
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Naina Jaggi is an author deeply rooted in Journalism, mainly writing on lifestyle, entertainment, travel, politics and financial markets. This diverse experience has allowed her to blend rich details with engaging narratives that capture the essence of various worlds. When she is not crafting tales, you’ll find her immersed in music and enjoying the company of dogs. She is also into K-dramas, thriller and horror movies that fuel her imagination, bringing the same spark to her stories.
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