What's changing. On October 16, the federal government announced a reform of Express Entry's ranking system, the system that manages permanent residence applications for several federal economic immigration programs. The measure is federal: it applies across Canada, but, as explained below, it doesn't concern people who want to settle in Quebec. According to IRCC's news release, starting November 3, 2026, extra points will go to candidates with eligible Canadian work experience or a qualifying job offer in a high-wage occupation, such as engineers or electricians.
What counts as a high-wage occupation. It's an occupation whose median wage is at least 1.3 times the median wage of the overall Canadian workforce. What matters is what the occupation typically earns, not the applicant's own salary. IRCC will publish the list of these occupations on its website.
Less paperwork for employers. Also from November 3, a labour market impact assessment (LMIA) will no longer be required for a qualifying job offer to earn the new points, or to meet the job offer requirements of the Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades programs. IRCC will keep checking that offers are genuine.
If you're already in the pool. Scores will be recalculated automatically. But to get points for a job offer, you must update your profile before November 3. The recalculation may take up to two weeks, and invitation rounds will be paused during that time.
Quebec is a separate route. For the Federal Skilled Worker Program, IRCC spells it out: "You must plan to live outside the province of Quebec. The province of Quebec selects its own skilled workers." If you want to settle in Quebec, the process is different: you first apply to Quebec, before applying for permanent residence with the federal government, under the Canada–Quebec immigration agreement.
Good to know for newcomers. So the Express Entry headlines aren't about your plans if you intend to stay in Quebec. One nuance: the same federal page says work experience gained in Quebec can count, as long as you can prove you don't plan to settle there. For the Quebec route, our guide to the Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) walks through the steps.
