Canada is no longer granting additional points for job offers in the Express Entry system and banning the practice of “flagpoling,” Canada intends to address fraudulent activities and streamline its immigration process. These changes will make the system more competitive for international students, requiring them to rely more on their education, work experience, and language proficiency. Students and temporary visa holders will need to plan their applications more carefully and adhere to regular processing times.
What are the Changes?
- Removal of Additional Points for LMIA-Supported Job Offers: Among the significant changes is the removal of additional points in the Express Entry program for candidates with Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)) supported job offers. An LMIA is a report issued by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) confirming that a Canadian employer is allowed to hire a foreign worker because no Canadian citizen or permanent resident is available for the job. This assessment previously granted applicants extra points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which is used to rank candidates for Express Entry.
- Ban on “Flagpoling”: Canada’s government also announced plans to eliminate flagpoling, a practice where temporary residents leave the country and immediately re-enter to renew their status. Flagpoling was often used to bypass regular processing times for visa renewals, creating unnecessary delays and resource strain at border points.
- New Border Control Measures: As part of its $1.3 billion Border Plan, Canada aims to reduce border congestion and enhance security. This includes new powers to cancel, suspend, or amend immigration documents to prevent individuals who may pose a security risk from entering the country.
Why was the Changes Made?
- Reducing Fraud: The removal of additional points for LMIA-supported job offers aims to tackle the fraudulent practice of buying fake LMIAs to improve CRS rankings. This change ensures that only genuine job offers are considered, making the process fairer for all applicants.
- Preventing Misuse: The ban on flagpoling addresses the misuse of border crossings for quick visa renewals. By eliminating this loophole, Canada ensures a more efficient and standardized process for all applicants, reducing congestion and delays at border points.
- Streamlining the Process: Moving applications online and enhancing border control measures streamline the immigration process, reduce processing times, and improve overall system efficiency. These changes benefit both applicants and immigration officials by creating a more organized and transparent system.
How will this Impact Students?
With the removal of additional points for LMIA-supported job offers, international students planning to seek permanent residency will now need to rely more on their education, work experience, and language proficiency to secure high scores in the Express Entry system. This change ensures a fairer assessment process, encouraging students to focus on gaining relevant work experience and improving their language skills to enhance their competitiveness. Students will need to be more diligent in their preparation and planning for their immigration journey. Understanding the new requirements and meeting all criteria for visa applications will be crucial for navigating the process effectively. This increased rigor helps ensure that only those who are truly committed to their studies and future careers in Canada can successfully transition to permanent residency.
