Working in Canada? New Express Entry Rules Could Change Your Chances of Getting PR

Photo courtesy: WWICS Group

By Adriene Omega

For many Filipinos working in Canada, obtaining permanent residency is an important milestone, often followed by the goal of becoming a Canadian citizen. Some have spent years building their careers, establishing friendships, and making Canada their home. But as immigration rules continue to change, the path to permanent residency isn’t always straightforward.

Starting November 3, 2026, changes to Canada’s Express Entry system will take effect, affecting how candidates are ranked for permanent residence. Announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on October 16, 2026, the changes will place greater emphasis on Canadian work experience and certain high-wage occupations.

So, what does this mean for Filipinos already working in Canada?

Canadian work experience will carry more weight

Express Entry uses a points-based system called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to rank candidates based on factors such as age, education, language ability, and work experience.

Under the new rules, candidates with at least one year of qualifying Canadian work experience in designated high-wage occupations may receive an additional 20, 40, or 70 CRS points, depending on their occupation. These points are awarded on top of the regular points for eligible Canadian work experience.

For example, registered nurses are included in Level 2, while nurse practitioners are included in Level 1. However, not every healthcare occupation qualifies. Home support workers and caregivers are not included in this particular list.

It’s also important to understand that these categories are based on the median wage for each occupation across Canada, not an individual’s salary.

Canadian work experience outside these designated occupations will still count toward an applicant’s regular CRS score, provided it meets the eligibility requirements.

The complete list of occupations and their National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes is available on IRCC’s website.

Job offers are making a comeback

Canada removed CRS points for job offers in March 2025. Under the new rules, qualifying job offers in designated high-wage occupations can once again provide additional points.

Depending on the occupation, eligible job offers may be worth 50, 70, or 100 CRS points.

Another significant change concerns the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

Starting November 3, an LMIA will no longer be required for qualifying job offers used to obtain Express Entry points or meet applicable job-offer requirements under certain federal immigration programs.

However, this doesn’t mean that any job offer will qualify. IRCC will still assess whether the offer is genuine and meets program requirements.

Candidates eligible for points through both Canadian work experience and a qualifying job offer will receive whichever option gives them the higher score. The points cannot be combined.

What if you’re already in the Express Entry pool?

If you already have an Express Entry profile, IRCC will automatically recalculate your score when the new rules take effect.

The process could take up to two weeks, during which Express Entry invitation rounds will be temporarily paused.

If you have a qualifying job offer that isn’t reflected in your profile, IRCC advises updating your information before November 3.

It’s also worth checking your occupation’s NOC code to determine whether it appears on the government’s list of eligible high-wage occupations.

Does this mean better chances of getting PR?

For some applicants, potentially.

Those with eligible Canadian work experience in high-wage occupations or qualifying job offers may see their CRS scores increase.

However, a higher score doesn’t guarantee an invitation to apply for permanent residence. 

Applicants must still meet the requirements of an immigration program, and invitations will depend on the type of draw and its CRS cut-off score.

While these changes could benefit some applicants, they won’t necessarily improve everyone’s chances of obtaining permanent residency. For Filipinos already working in Canada, it’s worth checking whether their occupation qualifies and making sure their Express Entry profile is up to date.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not constitute immigration advice. Immigration rules may change. Readers should consult IRCC or an authorized immigration professional regarding their individual circumstances.