How to Prepare Your Profile for Express Entry Reforms

Both the federal economic immigration programs and Comprehensive Ranking System scoring are changing soon. So how can you plan ahead so that your Express Entry profile stands a chance of receiving an ITA once the changes are implemented?

Before we dive in, a note about the timeline for these expected Express Entry reforms: At the National Citizenship and Immigration Conference in May, Deputy Minister of Immigration, Ted Gallivan, stated that the first phase of reforms will happen in Fall 2026. The remaining reforms, some of which will require regulatory and IT changes, will take place next year.

This means that many people already in the Express Entry pool will be affected by the changes too.

What Will Happen to Express Entry Profiles in the Pool Once Reforms Take Place?

First, the fact that the immigration programs and CRS scoring are being changed doesn’t mean that your Express Entry profile will be deleted. Your Express Entry profile will remain active until you get an invitation to apply (ITA), or the profile expires one year after creation.

However, changes to the CRS scoring system may make your profile less or more competitive in the pool.

Once the immigration programs under Express Entry change (in 2027), new candidates entering the pool will need to meet the minimum eligibility requirements of the new program. This includes a CLB/NCLC 6 in language abilities and one year of skilled experience in the last three years.

It is unclear whether candidates already in the Express Entry pool will also need to meet the new minimum eligibility requirements, but it is a possibility.

What Express Entry Reforms Will Happen First?

While it isn’t easy to predict this with complete accuracy, based on Ted Gallivan’s statement last month, it is likely that some changes to the CRS scoring will be implemented this year.

Changes to CRS scores and factors can be made through Ministerial Instructions. This process is much faster than regulatory changes. However, implementing some of these will require IT involvement and take time.

Some of the proposed CRS changes include:

• Points for a job offer or Canadian work experience in a high-wage occupation
• Points for a “practice-ready” credential or Red Seal certification
• Removal of bonus points for French
• Removal of points for a sibling in Canada
• Changes to points for studying in Canada – could be limited to graduate level education or degrees only
• Changes to or removal of spousal factor points
• Changes to provincial nomination points

The unification of the three economic immigration programs (Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, and Federal Skilled Trades program) will require changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulation. This process takes time, and we don’t expect these changes to take place until 2027.

Which Express Entry Candidates Will Be Most Competitive After the Reforms?

The main objective behind the proposed Comprehensive Ranking System reforms is to help IRCC select candidates most likely to establish themselves economically in Canada.

Under the proposed system, candidates will earn more points for working — or having a job offer — in a high-wage occupation, with points scaled to how much that occupation earns relative to the national median.

Age, education and language scores will remain the foundation of the CRS and are key predictors of employability.

Candidates in regulated occupations who are already licensed to practice in Canada, and tradespeople who hold a Red Seal certification, are also expected to benefit from new “practice-ready” points.

Essentially, the more you can contribute to the Canadian labour market, and the faster you can get started, the stronger your profile will be.

How to Improve Your Profile for Express Entry Reforms

Whether you’re already in the pool or getting ready to enter it, the Express Entry reforms could change your score and ranking and directly affect your chances of getting an ITA. So, what can you do to improve your standing in the Express Entry pool of candidates ahead of the upcoming reforms? Here are some tips to prepare your profile:

Aim for a High-Wage Occupation

Under the proposed changes, CRS points will be awarded based on how much your occupation earns relative to the national median wage in Canada. IRCC’s proposal suggests that extra points will be available both for a job offer and for Canadian work experience in a high-wage occupation.

IRCC has also suggested that points for high-wage occupations may be tiered, based on estimated wages for the occupation relative to the national median wage. For instance, occupations which pay 2x the national median wage would get fewer CRS points compared to occupations which pay 3x or 5x the national median wage.

To understand where your occupation falls in terms of wages, you can review wage data on Canada’s Job Bank.

If you’re outside Canada, a job offer in a high-wage occupation could add to your CRS score. If you’re already working in Canada, a move into a higher-wage role within your field could also improve your chances.

Check Your Work Experience Window

The reforms propose standardizing the minimum work experience requirement to one year within the last three years. This work experience can be foreign or Canadian.

Currently, Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) candidates can count skilled experience from the last 10 years, and Federal Skilled Trades (FST) candidates from the last five. It is possible that candidates already in the pool will also need to meet the new eligibility requirements.

So, if your most relevant experience is aging, now is the time to take stock of what will still count. You may also want to focus on getting newer skilled work experience, either in Canada or abroad.

Typically, you must meet the work experience requirement both when you receive your invitation to apply (ITA) and when you submit your electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR). This is important to consider, especially if you’re relying on older work experience to meet program requirements.

Another proposed change worth noting is that self-employment experience, which is currently eligible under the FSW program, may be excluded from the eligibility requirements of the new unified program. If self-employment makes up a meaningful part of your work history, you’ll want to assess how your profile holds up without it. If needed, consider working for a different employer for a year to ensure your profile remains eligible.

Start the Licensing Process If You’re in a Regulated Occupation

The proposed reforms include points for candidates who are already “practice-ready” or fully licensed to work in their regulated occupation in Canada. Most regulatory bodies allow you to begin the accreditation process from outside Canada, so you don’t need to wait until you arrive.

If your occupation is regulated (healthcare, engineering, teaching, etc.), starting that process now can put you ahead. The first step, in most cases, will be to decide which province you wish to live in and identifying the regulatory body for your occupation. The licensing process can vary significantly by occupation and province, so be sure to do your research.

Check out our guide on regulated occupations in Canada to learn more about the licensing process for your occupation.

Get Your Red Seal If You Work in a Trade

For tradespeople, the reforms propose removing points for a Certificate of Qualification and only rewarding candidates with a Red Seal certification. A Red Seal is a nationally recognized credential that confirms your trade skills meet a standard across Canada.

If your trade is Red Seal-designated and you don’t yet have the certification, this is a strong reason to pursue it. Not every trade is part of the Red Seal program though. Only 54 designated trades are covered, so if you have experience in a different trade, this advantage may not be available to you.

The good news is that you can start the Red Seal certification process from outside Canada. Most provincial apprenticeship authorities allow internationally trained tradespeople to have their foreign credentials assessed before they arrive. The exam and any required apprenticeship hours, however, need to be completed in Canada.

Retake Your Language Test to Improve Your Scores

Language scores will continue to carry heavy weight in the overall CRS scoring. However, the proposed reforms would set CLB/NCLC 6 as the floor for all candidates. If you previously qualified through the Canadian Experience Class or Federal Skilled Trades program with a CLB 5, that may no longer be sufficient under the new program.

Although a CLB 6 would be enough to enter the pool, higher language scores can significantly boost your CRS score. Even getting from a CLB 8 to CLB 9 band can make a huge difference.

Language test results are valid for two years, so even if you aren’t quite ready to create an Express Entry profile just yet, you can still take the test ahead of time.

Don’t Write Off French Just Because the Bonus Points May Go Away

The proposed reforms could remove additional CRS points for French language proficiency, on the basis that category-based draws have been sufficient to meet Francophone targets without them. But category-based draws for French speakers aren’t going away. These draws have consistently featured lower CRS cut-offs than general or other category rounds.

If you already have French proficiency, or can develop it, it will remain a meaningful advantage in the Express Entry pool.

Speak to an Immigration Consultant

Immigration rules are complex, and reforms of this scale can add another layer of uncertainty. If you’re unsure how the proposed changes will affect your profile or your chances of receiving an ITA, speaking with a regulated immigration consultant can help you understand your options and plan your next steps.