In March 2025, Canada made a major change to its immigration system—Express Entry candidates no longer receive 50 or 200 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for a qualifying job offer. This update left many people wondering: Is a job offer still important for Canadian permanent residency in 2025?

At The Millennium Immigration, we’re here to break it down for you.

Despite the change in CRS points, a job offer remains highly valuable. In fact, it continues to be a key factor in several federal and provincial immigration programs and can significantly increase your chances of becoming a Canadian permanent resident.

Why a Job Offer Still Matters for Canadian Immigration

While the Express Entry system has shifted, job offers continue to play a major role in helping foreign nationals qualify for Canada PR through various immigration programs, including:

• • Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
  • The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
  • The Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP)
  • The Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP)
  • Canadian Experience Class (CEC) under Express Entry

Read More: IRCC Holds Second Express Entry Draw for PNP Candidates

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

Provincial Nominee Programs are one of the most popular pathways to Canadian PR. Almost every province in Canada has multiple immigration streams based on local labor market needs.

Out of 80+ PNP streams across Canada, nearly half require a valid job offer.

If you secure a job offer from an employer in the province where you plan to settle, it can:

• • Qualify you for PNP nomination
  • Increase your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
  • Align your application with provincial economic goals

After receiving a nomination, you can apply to the federal government for permanent residency in Canada.

Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

The Atlantic Immigration Program is a federal pathway for skilled workers and international graduates who want to live and work in one of Canada’s Atlantic provinces:

• • New Brunswick
  • Nova Scotia
  • Prince Edward Island
  • Newfoundland and Labrador

To qualify for AIP in 2025, you must:

• • Have a job offer from a designated Atlantic employer
  • Receive endorsement from the province
  • Meet other criteria like education, language skills, and settlement funds

AIP applicants can also apply for a temporary work permit (up to 24 months) while waiting for their PR to be processed.

Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP)

Launched in early 2025, the Rural Community Immigration Pilot supports economic growth in smaller Canadian towns and rural regions.

14 communities are participating in this pilot.

To be eligible for RCIP, you must:

• • Meet standard requirements like work experience, language ability, education, and proof of funds
  • Secure a genuine job offer from an employer within the selected rural community

Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP)

The new Francophone Community Immigration Pilot promotes immigration to French-speaking communities outside Quebec.

To qualify, you must:

• • Have intermediate-level French proficiency
  • Meet standard immigration criteria
  • Have a job offer from a designated Francophone employer

Six communities are participating in the FCIP, and candidates must prove they meet the work and language requirements to be eligible for this permanent residency pathway.

From Temporary Work to Permanent Residency

Even without CRS points for arranged employment, a job offer can lead to Canadian work experience, which is still extremely valuable in the immigration process.

CRS Points for Canadian Work Experience (2025)

Canadian work experience is part of the Core Human Capital Factors in the Express Entry CRS score. Here’s how many points you can gain:

Skill Transferability Factors

You can earn up to 100 additional CRS points by combining Canadian work experience with:

• • Post-secondary education (up to 50 points)
  • Foreign work experience (up to 50 points)

Canadian Experience Class (CEC) in 2025

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) remains one of the fastest ways to gain permanent residency in Canada.

To qualify for CEC:

• You must have at least 1 year of full-time, skilled work experience in Canada within the last 3 years
• Meet the language requirements

In 2025, IRCC is prioritizing CEC candidates in Express Entry draws—especially those with Canadian work experience and/or French language skills.

Conclusion: Is a Job Offer Still Important for Canadian PR?

Yes, absolutely. While the point system under Express Entry has changed, the importance of a job offer for Canadian immigration in 2025 remains high.

A job offer can:

• • Help you qualify for PNPs and pilot programs

• Lead to Canadian work experience (which boosts CRS score)
• Improve your eligibility for Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
• Provide a smoother path to settling in Canada permanently