Hi Friends🖐️,

If you are worried about your PR, you should read '4. Occupations That Can Help You Get PR in the Next 2 Years.'

In today’s edition, we’ve got 4 key updates you definitely don’t want to miss:

1. Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot - Updates

2. Immigration Draws This Week

3. NO LMIA POINTS

4. Occupations That Can Help You Get PR in the Next 2 Years

So, why wait?

Don’t keep us a secret😀 Forward this email to friends who might find it useful.

And, as always, send us feedback at [email protected]

Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot - Updates

The IRCC's Home Care Worker pilot program, launched on March 31, 2025, faced technical glitches that prevented many eligible applicants from submitting their applications. With more than 45,000 applicants for only 2,750 spots, the first-come, first-served system left many qualified workers, like Ghinger Marie Lastimosa, unable to apply. Immigration experts criticized the system, noting that applicants with more experience were often left out in favor of those with less training. While IRCC defended the approach, experts called for a merit-based system. Another application round will open in 2026.

Click here to read more.

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Immigration Draws This Week

This week, Only Manitoba held a draw and just issued 4 invitations under its Skilled Worker Overseas program.

If you want to find the draw for any NOC/Occupation click here.

If you want to find NOC code for your occupation, click here.

NO LMIA POINTS

As of March 25, 2025, we’re removing job offer points from the Comprehensive Ranking System for current and future candidates in the Express Entry pool. This includes job offers:

• classified under Major Group 00 of the National Occupation Classification (for example, senior management positions) (200 points)

• in any other skilled occupation (50 points)

🤔 What is LMIA?
An LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) is a document Canadian employers need to get before hiring a foreign worker. It proves that:

• No Canadian or PR is available to fill the job.

• The foreign worker is needed.

You often hear people say, “This job is LMIA-approved.”

❓ Do You Still Need an LMIA or a Job Offer?
It depends on your immigration pathway. While you no longer get extra CRS points for an LMIA job offer, you might still need it for eligibility.

✅ Programs Where a Valid Job Offer Still Matters:

1. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

   • To meet the 67 points eligibility threshold, arranged employment (job offer) can help.

   • LMIA is often needed unless you’re already working in Canada with a valid work permit.

2. Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

   • A valid job offer OR a Canadian trade certificate is required for eligibility.

3. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

   • Some streams require or prefer candidates with valid job offers.

   • LMIA might be required, depending on the province.

❌ When You Don’t Need LMIA Anymore:

• If your goal was only to boost CRS points in Express Entry, an LMIA no longer helps.

• Candidates relying on arranged employment to jump ahead in the draw pool will no longer benefit from this route.

Occupations That Can Help You Get PR in the Next 2 Years

On March 25, 2025, IRCC announced that candidates will no longer receive extra CRS points for arranged employment, including those with an LMIA-supported job offer. This change will likely lead to lower CRS cutoffs in upcoming draws.

At the same time, immigration draws have been paused, likely due to the upcoming federal election on Monday, April 28, 2025.

What This Means for You

Previously, many candidates boosted their CRS score by securing a valid job offer supported by an LMIA. With those points removed, the playing field is more level. Now, candidates with strong human capital factors—such as Canadian education, high IELTS scores, higher degree, and relevant work experience—will have a better chance even without a job offer.

If you have a Master’s or Bachelor’s degree and a high IELTS score (CLB 9 or above), you may still remain competitive in the Express Entry pool. However, the removal of LMIA points means overall CRS cutoffs could gradually decrease, creating more opportunities for skilled workers from abroad.

In-Demand Occupations (2025–2027)

Based on recent Express Entry category-based selections and provincial nominee trends, the following occupations are expected to remain in demand over the next two years:

Requirement:

• At least 6 months of continuous work experience in a category occupations (inside or outside Canada) within the last 3 years.

• Must meet general Express Entry eligibility (FSW, FST, or CEC).

• Meet the score in category based draw to get invited.

Scenario: Raj’s Plan to Improve His Chances for PR

Raj is working in Canada as a Department Manager at Walmart (NOC 60020). He has been working for the last 6 months, and to be eligible for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), he needs a total of 1 year of experience. However, the CRS cutoffs for CEC candidates have been high recently, and he is worried about not receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.

Raj’s New Plan:
Raj is considering a new approach to increase his chances of obtaining permanent residency. Since the CRS cutoffs for CEC have been high, he plans to improve his eligibility by gaining additional experience in a trade occupation. Specifically, Raj is considering working as a welder (NOC 72106), which is a TEER 2 occupation.

How This Helps:
Raj will still remain eligible for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) as his 6 months of work experience as a Department Manager (NOC 60020, TEER 2) qualifies under CEC. By gaining another 6 months of Canadian work experience as a welder (NOC 72106, TEER 2), he will complete 1 year of experience in eligible TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupations under the Express Entry CEC program.

Raj also need to meets the language proficiency requirements and hold a valid work permit, ensuring that he continues to qualify for the CEC program.

Dual Eligibility:
By combining his experience as a Department Manager (NOC 60020) with his future welder role (NOC 72106), Raj will have the chance to be invited in both general CEC draws and category-based draws targeting trade occupations. This increases his chances of receiving an ITA for permanent residency.

For full details of eligible occupations in different category based draws check here!

In The Know

💵 Increasing the federal minimum wage starting April 1, 2025

📢 Federal immigration department cutting 3,300 jobs over three years

📢 housing plan he says will double pace of home building in Canada. Promising to double the number of homes built annually in Canada to nearly 500,000.

🚫 100s of international students in US woke up to an email asking them to self deport.

👉 AIPP will now accept PTE Core and also changed the AIPP Worker Stream Fees.

💵 As of march 31 Citizenship fees structure has been changed.

Find NOC Codes, Draws, and PR Pathways for Canada – Complete Guide!