IEC Young Professionals: Extra CRS Points Removed

The Canadian government has begun implementing one of the changes announced last year by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). As part of Canada’s ongoing efforts to improve the Express Entry (EE) system, the IRCC has officially removed the ability for candidates in the International Experience Canada (IEC) Young Professionals category to earn extra Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for job offers.

New Changes

Under the new regulations, candidates who receive an IEC work permit under the Young Professionals category after December 18, 2024, will no longer be awarded CRS points for arranged employment. However, candidates who obtained their work permit before this date will still be eligible for CRS points, provided their job offer meets the necessary criteria.

The Young Professionals category was the only IEC stream that allowed candidates to earn Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for job offers. These CRS points, ranging from 50 to 200 CRS points, not only improved the chances of candidates receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in the Express Entry pool but also provided them with an increased chance at securing Canadian permanent residency as well.

Reasons for the Removal of CRS Points

Though IRCC did not clearly state the reason behind removing the additional job offer points for Young Professionals, based on previous announcements, it is likely that the Canadian government aims to create a more equitable and merit-based immigration system. This approach prioritizes candidates based on their skills and experience, rather than allowing individuals to manipulate their applications for additional points. The goal is to ensure that only those with the greatest potential to contribute to the country’s economy are selected.

What Does This Mean?

For those who have recently received a work permit through the IEC Young Professionals stream, this change could be discouraging, as applicants who obtained their permits before December 18, 2024, may remain eligible for CRS points. However, for candidates affected by this update, there are several ways to increase your chances of receiving an ITA. This can include improving other factors that contribute to the allocation of CRS points, such as enhancing language skills or gaining additional work experience to further strengthen your EE profiles in the pool of candidates. If you are in this category and have submitted an EE profile with a job, you could lose 50 or 200 points.

With the recent changes to the IEC Young Professionals stream, reach out to us at Canadim today to secure your spot in the Express Entry pool and increase your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).