Early Cut-Off for Bonus CRS Points: Impact on IEC Work Permit Holders

There is a major change for foreign nationals holding employer-specific work permits under Canada’s International Experience Canada (IEC) program. Work permit holders under the IEC’s Young Professionals category will no longer receive CRS points for arranged employment.

It will be effective from 18 December,2024. This sudden change accelerates the broader policy shift that was initially scheduled for spring 2025, significantly impacting Canada Express Entry candidates relying on these bonus points.

Who Is Affected?

Until now, IEC work permit holders in the Young Professionals category enjoyed additional CRS points for a valid job offer, boosting their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency. Candidates could earn:

• 200 CRS points for managerial roles under the National Occupation Classification (NOC) TEER 0 level (major group 00).
• 50 CRS points for other NOC-listed occupations.

However, those whose permits were issued on or after December 18, 2024, will no longer qualify for these additional points. Meanwhile, individuals who secured their permits before this date can continue to benefit, provided they meet all other eligibility criteria for a valid job offer.

Reasons for this Sudden Change

While the broader removal of CRS points for arranged employment was scheduled for spring 2025, this earlier cut-off for IEC permit holders has caught many off guard. IRCC initially announced the planned changes in December 2024, citing concerns about reducing the potential for LMIA fraud.

The latest update does not affect candidates who have already applied for permanent residence or those who received an ITA based on an earlier CRS score that included arranged employment points. However, for those still in the Express Entry pool, the removal of these points could prove to be a game-changer.

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Implications on Express Entry Candidates

This change means a sudden drop of 50 to 200 CRS points, significantly reducing the IEC work permit holder’s ranking in the Express Entry pool. Given that invitations are extended to candidates with the highest scores, losing these points could make a big difference.

Additionally, IEC permit holders issued after December 18, 2024, will face an even greater challenge. These IEC permit holders will lose their points sooner than other candidates who still have time to benefit from the arranged employment points until spring 2025.

Conclusion

The IRCC is currently in the process of updating its systems and online resources to reflect these changes. Prospective Express Entry candidates relying on CRS Score points from IEC work permits will need to reassess their immigration strategy.

Exploring alternative pathways, such as increasing language proficiency scores or securing provincial nominations, may become crucial for those affected. As Canada continues to refine its immigration policies, staying informed and adapting to these shifts will be key for candidates looking for Canada PR.

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Source: canada.ca

Tags: IEC Work Permit IEC program International Experience Canada Express Entry Candidates National Occupation Classification Canada Immigration News