Express Entry Draws Paused for CRS Recalculation

Express Entry draws are paused while IRCC recalculates CRS scores in existing profiles under rules that took effect on November 3, 2026. The pause can last up to two weeks and affects all invitation-round types, not just general draws.

Why Express Entry draws paused

IRCC paused invitation rounds because it is applying new Comprehensive Ranking System rules to candidates already in the Express Entry pool. The department says the system recalculation may take up to two weeks, after which invitation rounds will restart.

The changes took effect on November 3, 2026. If the full two-week period is needed, the recalculation window would extend to approximately November 17, 2026. IRCC has not published a specific date, draw type or number of invitations for the first post-pause round.

The latest invitation round displayed on Maplevisa and IRCC’s rounds-of-invitations page before the pause was a French-language proficiency round held on October 16, 2026. A temporary pause does not cancel Express Entry or remove candidates from the pool.

What changed in CRS scoring on November 3

IRCC introduced a Labour Market Integration factor that can award points for qualifying Canadian work experience or for a qualifying job offer in an eligible high-wage occupation. Candidates receive the higher of those two scores; they cannot combine both sets of points.

The factor can provide up to 150 CRS points. Canadian work experience can include points based on its length plus extra points for qualifying experience in an eligible high-wage occupation. A qualifying high-wage job offer can be worth 50, 70 or 100 points, depending on the occupation’s wage level.

A high-wage occupation is assessed using the National Occupational Classification and Canada-wide median-wage data, rather than an individual’s particular salary. The occupation must appear on IRCC’s eligible high-wage occupation lists.

• Canadian work experience: up to 140 points for candidates with an accompanying spouse or partner, or up to 150 points for those without one.
• Qualifying job offer: 50, 70 or 100 points, depending on the eligible high-wage occupation level.
• Only the more favourable Canadian-work-experience or job-offer score is used under this factor.

Estimate your additional points for Canadian work experience or a qualifying high-wage job offer with the High-Wage CRS Calculator .

What candidates need to do during the pause

Candidates with active profiles do not need to create a new Express Entry profile merely because IRCC is recalculating scores. The department says the system is recalculating existing profiles automatically.

However, a candidate with a valid job offer that is not already included in their profile should update their profile. IRCC’s online form may still ask for LMIA details even though an LMIA is no longer required for a qualifying Express Entry job offer under the new rules; IRCC provides specific temporary entry instructions for this situation.

Candidates should also review information that can affect their eligibility or ranking, including expiring language tests, educational credential assessments and changes in work history, marital status or job-offer details. A recalculated CRS score does not correct inaccurate or outdated profile information.

• Do not withdraw and recreate an active profile solely to trigger recalculation.
• Check the profile after the recalculation period for the updated CRS score.
• Update a new or previously omitted qualifying job offer using IRCC’s current instructions.
• Do not assume that a job offer automatically earns CRS points: it must meet the applicable requirements and will be assessed for genuineness if an application is submitted.

LMIA and program-eligibility rules still matter

The November 2026 changes removed the LMIA requirement for qualifying Express Entry job offers and ended any CRS advantage from having an LMIA. Officers will still assess whether an employer and offer are genuine when the candidate applies for permanent residence.

A job offer can remain relevant to eligibility for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program and some provincial nominee streams even where it does not qualify for high-wage CRS job-offer points. In other words, eligibility rules and CRS ranking rules are not always the same.

Candidates whose score changes after recalculation should not treat an earlier CRS estimate or past draw cut-off as a prediction of the next draw. The pool’s score distribution, the type of round and the number of invitations can all change before rounds resume.

Source: 2026 changes to points for Express Entry system