A couple in BC — spouse working a NOC B skilled trade on an open work permit, partner on a study permit — had an Alberta job offer with employer-sponsored LMIA on the table. The question: uproot to Alberta for the LMIA points, or stay in BC and bank on Canadian Experience Class? Their CRS was around 460. The thread's reasoning:
- 460 is a strong CEC score on its own. The first substantive answer: at ~460, members considered CEC viable without LMIA support at all, making relocation unnecessary purely for points. (Historical note: draw cut-offs move constantly — the 2021–2022 CEC draws this thread reflects may not match current thresholds; check recent draw history before relying on any specific score.)
- Staying put unlocks a second pathway. Members pointed out that after one year of skilled work in BC, the couple could also apply through BC-PNP — meaning staying gives them two live routes (CEC + BC-PNP), while moving trades those for the LMIA-boosted route plus disruption to the student partner's program.
- Timing risk cuts the other way. One member argued for taking whatever concrete option is available now — "we don't know what the situation will be like in a few months" — a reminder that immigration programs change and a sure LMIA today has value against an uncertain draw tomorrow.
- Quality-of-life factors got a mention (Alberta winters), but the decision framework members converged on was: with a competitive CRS and an established base, continuity beats chasing incremental points.
Takeaway: if your CRS is already near recent CEC cut-offs, the disruption of moving provinces for an LMIA may buy you little — staying can preserve both federal and provincial pathways. Relocation makes more sense when the score is genuinely short.