OTTAWA -- Ottawa is adding new express entry points for some permanent residency applicants in “high-wage” jobs, Immigration Minister Lena Diab said Friday. The government also plans to remove the requirement for an employer to prove they can’t find a qualified Canadian for those jobs. The policies, which will take effect on Nov. 3, will apply to applicants who already have Canadian work experience, or who have a job offer in a high-wage field such as engineering. The government considers a high-wage job one that pays at least 1.3 times the national median wage. The new policy offers more points for an occupation’s wage level, with higher paying jobs being worth more express entry points. Statistics Canada says the median annual income in Canada in 2024 was $46,300. The government is also introducing a temporary policy to remove the requirement for an employer to include a Labour Market Impact Assessment for a qualifying job that’s eligible for the new express entry points. The government says this change is meant to simplify the application process and is part of its efforts over the past year to attract more immigrants in high-paying fields to Canada. The government has introduced measures to give more express entry points to those working in medicine, the skilled trades, transportation and research. Permanent residency candidates who are already in the express entry pool will have their scores modified to reflect the new points for Canadian work experience and job offers. The Immigration Department says it may take up to two weeks for the new totals to be calculated and invitations to apply for permanent residency will be paused during that time. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 16, 2026 David Baxter, The Canadian Press
