Confused about whether an LMIA still helps with Express Entry or PNP in 2025?
You’re not the only one asking.
Ever since IRCC dropped job-offer points from the CRS system in March, we’ve been hearing the same question over and over: “So is an LMIA even useful anymore?”
It’s a fair question—and the answer isn’t black and white.
In this article, we’ll explain:
- When LMIA still helps your PR application
- Whether provincial programs expect it
- What the current LMIA requirements look like for both workers and employers
If you’re weighing your next step, this will help you figure out if LMIA still makes sense—or not.
What Changed – LMIA No Longer Increases CRS Score
If you’re planning to apply through Express Entry, there’s one major update you need to know: as of March 25, 2025, job offers supported by an LMIA no longer add points to your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.
Before this change, an LMIA-backed offer could give you a 50 or even 200-point boost—often enough to secure an ITA. That’s no longer the case.
The update came straight from IRCC, and it applies to both new and existing candidates in the pool. It’s caused confusion, with many users asking if their LMIA is now useless.
Short answer: not quite. While it won’t help your score, an LMIA still plays a role in other pathways. Let’s break that down next.
So, Is LMIA Useless Now? Not Quite. Here’s Why
It’s easy to assume that an LMIA is no longer worth pursuing—especially with CRS points off the table. But that’s only part of the story.
An LMIA for permanent residency can still be useful in a few situations. If you’re applying for a closed work permit, you’ll often need one to show the job offer meets Canadian standards. For many foreign workers, it’s also the first step toward employer-backed permanent residency.
In fact, a valid LMIA can still be used to support permanent residency, even if it doesn’t directly raise your CRS score. It helps prove job eligibility, ties your work experience to a regulated employer, and supports eligibility under certain PNP streams.
In short: an LMIA isn’t a golden ticket anymore—but it’s far from useless.
Does LMIA Still Help with Express Entry? Here’s Where It Might
Here’s what hasn’t changed: some Express Entry applicants still need to prove their job offer is legitimate. An LMIA can help with that—even if it no longer boosts your CRS score.
If you’re applying through something like the Federal Skilled Worker stream, the LMIA shows that a Canadian employer went through the right process to hire you. It confirms the job is real and meets the rules.
That’s especially useful when the officer reviewing your file wants more than just a job letter.
Also, in certain provinces or regulated roles, LMIA paperwork might still come up during the process—even if it’s not required across the board.
So while the LMIA rules changed in 2025, the document can still make a difference in the background—just not the way it used to.
LMIA and PNP Programs: Do You Still Need Them?
If you’re applying through a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), the LMIA rules are different.
Many streams—like those under OINP or BC PNP—don’t ask for an LMIA at all. They have their own job validation process and criteria for employer offers. That said, some employer-driven PNPs still accept LMIA-backed offers as part of their documentation package.
The key is to check what your specific stream requires. For example, OINP’s Foreign Worker stream doesn’t demand an LMIA, but having one may help prove the job is genuine.
The LMIA usually isn’t part of the process if you’re applying through smaller programs like RNIP.
Bottom line: you don’t always need an LMIA for a PNP, but in some cases, it can support your application behind the scenes.
When LMIA Still Makes Sense in 2025 (and When It Doesn’t)
LMIAs aren’t automatic wins anymore, but in some cases, they’re still worth the effort.
You should consider one if:
- Your CRS score is too low for Express Entry and you’re looking at backup options
- You’re already working in Canada and need a valid LMIA to extend your closed work permit
- Your employer is on board and ready to support your PR application
- You’re applying through a stream that still allows LMIA-backed job offers
On the other hand, an LMIA probably won’t help much if:
- You qualify for a PNP stream that doesn’t ask for it
- You’re going through spousal sponsorship
- You’re planning to apply using an open work permit or study permit history
For roles under low-wage LMIA requirements, keep an eye on processing times—they can stretch. If your current permit is expiring soon, check the latest LMIA work permit processing time before applying.
What Are the Current LMIA Requirements for Employers and Workers?
If you’re applying for an LMIA in 2025, the process has to be airtight—especially for employers.
For Employers
To meet LMIA employer requirements, the job offer needs to check a few boxes. The wage has to match the going rate for that role in your province—lowballing won’t fly. The position also has to be posted publicly for at least four weeks on approved sites, so there’s proof you tried hiring locally first.
Everything—job ads, company docs, and forms—gets submitted through the ESDC portal. And finally, the business applying must be active, legit, and able to prove it.
For Workers
You’ll need a full-time job offer linked to that LMIA. Seasonal or casual roles usually don’t qualify unless specifically allowed.
FAQ – Quick Answers to LMIA in 2025
-
Is LMIA still valid in Canada in 2025?
Yes. It’s still part of the process for many employer-backed work permits and some PR pathways—it just no longer adds CRS points. -
Can I use an LMIA to apply for permanent residency?
Yes, but not in the way it used to work. It doesn’t boost your score anymore, but it can support your file in PNP or employer-driven PR applications. -
Does LMIA increase CRS score?
No. IRCC removed job-offer points from the CRS system in March 2025. -
Do PNP streams require an LMIA?
Not most of them. Many rely on their own employer’s offer validation. Some still accept LMIA-supported roles if they meet provincial criteria. -
How long is an LMIA valid?
Typically, six months from the date of approval.
What to Do Next
Still wondering if an LMIA is worth your time? It depends on your case—and that’s exactly what we help people figure out every day.
Start by checking:
- Your current CRS score
- Whether your job offer qualifies for any PNP stream
- If your employer is willing and eligible to apply for an LMIA
- How much time do you have left on your current permit
Some applicants benefit from an LMIA. Others are better off going through a provincial stream or a different route entirely.
Not sure where you stand?
Book a quick call with a WIECS. We’ll go over your options and give you straight answers—no sales pitch, no guesswork.