Canadian Immigration Minister announces cancellation of LMIA bonus points, while CEC for international student immigration may welcome positive news
Today, Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller confirmed at a press conference that the additional 50 points for LMIA in the EE Fast Track (CRS) will be removed to reduce LMIA fraud and improve the fairness and integrity of EE. This change is expected to have an impact on candidates applying for permanent resident status through EE.
Meanwhile, Miller also announced multiple measures:
Share more information about high-risk travelers with the United States;
Introduce new tools to cancel visas, applications, and immigration documents;
Accelerate the rejection of fraudulent asylum applications;
Crackdown on the so-called 'flagpole application', which refers to the practice of student or work visa holders quickly renewing their visas through expedited entry and exit;
Implement new international travel requirements for non citizen residents.
The CEC Experience Class is a type of fast track immigration program designed specifically for six students and temporary foreign workers with at least one year of work experience in Canada. It is the preferred immigration route for a large number of Chinese students studying abroad.
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It is worth mentioning that EE's lowest comprehensive ranking system (CRS) score reached 539 points in the latest round on November 20th, and only 400 candidates were invited. The continuous "high and low scores" have deterred many people.
However, the official cancellation of LMIA bonus points, as well as the implementation and specific details, have not yet been announced.
Understand LMIA and CRS scores
The Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document that Canadian employers must obtain before hiring foreign employees to demonstrate that there are no Canadian citizens or permanent residents available to fill the position. LMIA approval will increase the CRS score for foreign employees, thereby enhancing their eligibility for EE immigration.
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is a points based system used to score EE candidates. It takes into account various factors such as age, education, work experience, and language proficiency. Previously, LMIA could earn an additional 50 points, which is a significant advantage for applicants with valid job offers in Canada.
The impact of canceling the 50 point LMIA on CRS scores
The government's decision to cancel the 50 point bonus for LMIA may lower the scores of candidates with job offers in the CRS system. For many candidates, these additional points play a crucial role in achieving higher CRS scores. With the cancellation of this incentive measure, candidates may need to rely more on other factors such as language proficiency and work experience to maintain competitiveness in the EE pool.
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Why implement this change?
Cancelling the 50 point bonus for LMIA aligns with Canada's broader immigration goals, aimed at attracting candidates with diverse skills and experience. This change encourages a more balanced approach to immigration selection, making it more fair to individuals who do not have job opportunities in Canada but have other qualifications.
In addition, this move aims to prevent candidates from overly relying on job invitations as the primary means of immigration, ensuring that candidates' evaluations are based on their overall qualifications and potential contributions to the Canadian economy.
What impact does this have on candidates with job invitations?
For candidates who currently hold valid job offers and rely on LMIA bonus points to improve their CRS scores, this change may bring challenges. These candidates may need to seek other ways to improve their CRS scores, such as enhancing language proficiency or gaining more work experience.
However, it is worth noting that even without LMIA bonus points, having a job invitation still has significant advantages. Even if a candidate's CRS score decreases due to policy changes, job offers can increase their chances of obtaining an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.
How should candidates adapt to the new system?
With the adjustment of the EE system, potential immigrants need to adopt strategies to maintain competitive CRS scores. Here are some practical countermeasures:
Improving language proficiency: Language skills are one of the most important factors affecting CRS scores. Candidates should consider taking additional language tests or improving their language skills to ensure higher scores.
Accumulate more work experience: More work experience, especially in Canada, can have a positive impact on CRS scores. Candidates can enhance their work experience through temporary work permits or other career opportunities.
Explore Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Many provinces in Canada have their own immigration channels, which may offer additional points or simpler permanent resident application pathways. Candidates should study these projects to determine their eligibility.
Consider spousal factors: If a candidate has a spouse or cohabiting partner, they can earn extra points from their partner's qualifications, including language proficiency, educational background, and work experience.
Through the above methods, candidates can better adapt to system changes and increase the likelihood of successful immigration.
Overall, the cancellation of LMIA's 50 point bonus marks a significant shift in the EE system. Although this change may make competition more intense, it also encourages a wider and more diverse group of applicants. Candidates should maintain a proactive attitude and strive to adapt to the new policies.
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