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Introduction: Understanding the Policy Update
On December 17, 2024, Canada’s Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, announced sweeping changes to the country’s immigration policies. The most significant update is the elimination of Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) under the Express Entry system. This decision aims to combat fraudulent activities, such as selling fake job offers, and promote a fairer immigration process.
In this blog, we’ll explore the implications of this policy, the impact on immigration seekers, and how you can adapt to these changes with the expert guidance of Radsam Education Agency.
What Was the Role of LMIA in CRS Points?
Previous Role: LMIAs allowed Express Entry applicants to gain up to 200 additional CRS points, making them highly competitive for permanent residency.
Why the Change?: Fraudulent activities, including the sale of fake job offers tied to LMIAs, undermined the integrity of the immigration system.
Current Situation: With the removal of LMIA-related points, applicants are now evaluated primarily on factors like education, language proficiency, and work experience.
The End of Flagpoling: A New Approach
What Is Flagpoling?: Temporary residents would briefly exit and re-enter Canada, often via the U.S., to renew or update their immigration status. This practice bypassed regular immigration channels.
Policy Update: The government now requires all status changes to be processed through official procedures within Canada. This step ensures consistency and reduces misuse of the system.
Enhanced Immigration Document Oversight
Stricter Scrutiny: Immigration authorities now have the power to cancel, suspend, or modify documents in cases of fraud or public interest violations.
Why It Matters: This ensures that Canada’s immigration programs benefit genuine applicants while protecting the system from exploitation.
Impact on Immigration Seekers
Current Work Permit Holders
What Stays the Same: Existing LMIA-based work permits remain valid.
What Changes: These permits no longer provide additional CRS points, meaning applicants must focus on other factors to strengthen their profiles.
Actionable Steps:
Improve language test scores (IELTS/CELPIP).
Gain additional Canadian work experience.
Explore Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) for CRS boosts.
Prospective Applicants
Adapting to New Rules: Applicants can no longer rely on LMIAs to increase their CRS rankings. Instead, they should:
Emphasize a strong educational background.
Highlight work experience relevant to in-demand professions.
Demonstrate language proficiency through high test scores.
How This Change Impacts the CRS System
The removal of LMIA-related CRS points is a pivotal adjustment to the immigration framework. By shifting focus away from LMIAs, the government ensures a more equitable system where applicants are assessed based on genuine merit.
Key CRS Factors to Focus On
Age: Younger applicants receive higher CRS scores.
Language Proficiency: Scoring well in IELTS or CELPIP is critical.
Canadian Experience: Work experience in Canada remains a significant advantage.
Education: Higher education levels correlate with better CRS outcomes.
Provincial Nominee Programs: PNPs continue to offer substantial CRS boosts.
Radsam Education Agency’s Perspective
Radsam Education Agency supports these changes wholeheartedly. By removing avenues for fraud and ensuring fair competition, the government reinforces the integrity of Canada’s immigration system. We believe this is a positive step for genuine applicants who can now compete on a level playing field.
How Radsam Can Help You Succeed
Navigating Canada’s evolving immigration system can be challenging. That’s where Radsam Education Agency comes in. We offer tailored services to help you adapt to these changes and achieve your goals.
Radsam Education Agency: Realizing Academic Dreams, Securing Aspiration Milestones
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