Canadian Job Offer for Express Entry Applications

“Offer of Employment – Skilled Immigrants” is a critical factor in the Express Entry system, providing skilled workers with an opportunity to immigrate to Canada and contribute to its economy while meeting the country’s labor market needs.

The Express Entry system is Canada’s main pathway for skilled immigrants who wish to become permanent residents. It manages applications for three federal economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class. Here’s a breakdown of what this offer entails:

• Express Entry System: The Express Entry system is Canada’s main pathway for skilled immigrants who wish to become permanent residents. It manages applications for three federal economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class.
• Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS): Under Express Entry, candidates are ranked based on various factors such as age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and whether they have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer. The CRS assigns points to each candidate, and those with the highest scores are invited to apply for permanent residency.
• Job Offer Requirement: Having a valid job offer from a Canadian employer can significantly increase a candidate’s CRS score. However, the job offer must meet certain criteria to be considered valid. It typically needs to be for a skilled position that is classified under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system and must be supported by a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or be exempt from the LMIA requirement.
• Immigration Process: If a candidate receives an offer of employment from a Canadian employer, they can update their Express Entry profile to include this information. This can boost their CRS score and increase their chances of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residency. Once invited, candidates can then submit their application for permanent residency to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
• Benefits: Having a job offer from a Canadian employer not only increases a candidate’s chances of being invited to apply for permanent residency but also provides them with a clear pathway to integrate into the Canadian labor market upon arrival. It offers stability and security, knowing that they have a job waiting for them in their new home country.

If you’ve received a new employment offer (referred to as an offer of arranged employment), it’s essential to update your Express Entry profile within your account by providing the following details:

• Start date of the employment
• Name and address of the employer
• Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) number, if applicable
• National Occupational Classification (NOC) code corresponding to the job position

It is important to note that just a simple Employment Offer in the form of an Employment Contract or an Offer letter is not considered as an Employment offer. For example, somebody working on an Open work permit can’t claim points even if they can provide an Employment Offer, Contract, or similar. Your job offer should meet the following criteria:

1. It must be recent and provided in written form.
2. It cannot originate from an embassy, high commission, or consulate in Canada.
3. It should outline specific details about the job being offered, such as:
4. Compensation details including pay and deductions.
5. Job responsibilities and duties
6. Terms of employment, including working hours

Your job offer must also adhere to specific criteria to be considered valid under the Express Entry program for which you qualify. Here are the requirements based on different categories:

For Federal Skilled Workers and Canadian Experience Class: 

The job should involve working for a single employer continuously, be paid, and be full-time, equivalent to at least 30 hours per week.

• It should not be seasonal and must be guaranteed for at least one year following the issuance of your permanent resident visa.
• The job must fall under NOC (National Occupational Classification) categories 0, 1, 2, or 3.
• Additionally, the offer must come from an employer with a new positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) that approves the offer and mentions you and your position. or:
• If you’re currently working in Canada under a NOC 0, 1, 2, or 3 job on a work permit based on an LMIA:
  • You must be working for the employer listed on your work permit.
  • You should be legally authorized to work in Canada both when you apply for a permanent resident visa and when it is issued.
  • Your current employer must offer you a full-time job for at least one year if you’re accepted as a permanent resident. Or
• If you hold a valid work permit for a NOC 0, 1, 2, or 3 job exempt from needing an LMIA:
• You should be currently employed by the specified employer on the work permit.
• You must possess one year of full-time work experience (or equivalent part-time work) with that employer.
• You need a valid job offer from that employer for at least one year after your permanent resident visa is issued.

For Federal Skilled Trades Workers: 

The job offer can be from up to two employers and should involve continuous, paid, full-time work, equivalent to at least 30 hours per week, for at least one year.

• It must be in a skilled trade occupation falling under specific NOC 2021 categories.
• Major Group 72, technical trades and transportation officers and controllers,
• excluding Sub-Major Group 726, transportation officers and controllers
• Major Group 73, general trades
• Major Group 82, supervisors in natural resources, agriculture and related production
• Major Group 83, occupations in natural resources and related production
• Major Group 92, processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors, and utilities operators and controllers
• Major Group 93, central control and process operators and aircraft assembly assemblers and inspectors, excluding Sub-Major Group 932, aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors
• Minor Group 6320, cooks, butchers and bakers
• Unit Group 62200, chefs

• The offer must come from employer(s) with a new positive LMIA that approves the offer and names you and your position, or:
• If you’re currently working in Canada in a skilled trade job under a work permit issued based on a positive LMIA:
  • You must be working for the employer listed on your work permit.
  • You should be legally authorized to work in Canada both when you apply for a permanent resident visa and when it is issued.
  • Your current employer(s) must offer you a full-time job if you’re accepted as a permanent resident, in a job that is in the same three-digit level of the NOC as your current job, for at least one year.
• If you hold a valid work permit for one of the listed skilled trade occupations exempt from needing an LMIA:
• You should be currently employed by the specified employer on the work permit.
• You must possess one year of full-time work experience (or equivalent part-time work) with the employer(s) on your work permit who is making the offer.
• You need a valid job offer from that employer for at least one year after your permanent resident visa is issued.