Last Updated on November 23, 2016

Express Entry Job Offer Overview

While possessing a job offer is not mandatory for those seeking to immigrate using the Express Entry system, applicants with an approved job offer in hand will have a greater chance of being invited to apply for permanent residence.

Under current new rules:

• 

  Applicants with an LMIA for employment as a senior manager (NOC 00) described under the National Occupational Code, will receive 200 points.

• Applicants with an LMIA for employment under all other occupations described under the National Occupational Code (NOC 0, A and B), will receive 50 points.
• Applicants working in Canada under an employer specific work permit backed by an existing LMIA, or providing significant benefit to Canada (Intra-Company Transferee); NAFTA or other international agreement, under an employer specific work permit and have accumulated at least 1-year of work experience; with a managerial skill level position (NOC OO), will receive 200 points.
• Applicants working in Canada under an employer specific work permit backed by an existing LMIA, or providing significant benefit to Canada (Intra-Company Transferee); NAFTA or other international agreement, under an employer specific work permit and have accumulated at least 1-year of work experience; with a skill level position O, A, B under the National Occupational Code; Skilled Trade (NOC B), will receive 50 points.

Applicants who have received a job offer must add the following information to their Express Entry profiles:

• Employer name and address
• Start date of the job
• Labour Market Impact Assessment number
• National Occupation Classification code related to the job

For more information on Labour Market Impact Assessments, click here.

To find the National Occupation Classification code related to a given job, click here.

Job offers under the three different skilled immigration programs are subject to different requirements.

Job Offers under the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class

A valid job offer under these programs must be:

• For work that is continuous, paid and full time (at least 30 hours a week)
• For work that is permanent and not seasonal
• For work that falls under skill type 0 or skill level A or B of the National Occupation Classification.

Applicants under these programs must also fulfill ONE of the following two conditions:

1. The employer making the job offer has obtained a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment from Employment and Social Development Canada.
2. The applicant is already working in Canada on a work permit that was issued based on a Labour Market Impact Assessment AND,
   1. The job falls under skill type 0 or skill level A or B of the National Occupation Classification.
   2. The applicant is working for the employer that is listed on his or her work permit.
   3. The applicant is authorized to work in Canada on the day he or she applies for permanent residence.
   4. The applicant will be authorized to work in Canada on the day that a potential permanent residence visa is issued.
   5. The applicant’s current employer has offered the applicant a full-time job should the applicant be accepted for permanent residence. The offer must be for at least one year and have the same three-digit National Occupation Classification Code as the applicant’s current job.

For more information on the Federal Skilled Worker Program, click here.

For more information on the Canada Experience Class Program, click here.

Job Offers under the Federal Skilled Trade Program

A valid job offer under the Federal Skilled Trade program must be:

• Made by one employer or by two employers simultaneously
• For continuous, full time work (at least 30 hours per week)
• For work that will last at least one year
• Be for work that falls under the, “Skilled Trade” section of the National Occupation Classification database. These jobs will have codes that start with the following numbers:
  • 72
  • 73
  • 82
  • 92
  • 632
  • 633

Applicants under this program must also fulfill ONE of the following two conditions:

1. The employer making the job offer has obtained a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment from Employment and Social Development Canada.
2. The applicant is already working in Canada on a work permit that was issued based on a Labour Market Impact Assessment AND,
   1. The job is in a skilled trade (see section above).
   2. The applicant is working for the employer that is listed on his or her work permit.
   3. The applicant is authorized to work in Canada on the day he or she applies for permanent residence.
   4. The applicant will be authorized to work in Canada on the day that a potential permanent residence visa is issued.
   5. The applicant’s current employer has offered the applicant a full time job should the applicant be accepted for permanent residence.

Other Requirements for All Applicants

In order for a job offer to be valid, an applicant must be able to convince Canadian immigration officials that they are capable of performing the job that they have been offered. If the relevant job is regulated in Canada, the applicant must also be able to show that they will be able to obtain any required licenses or certifications upon arriving in Canada.

Note: In Canada, the provincial governments are responsible for regulating trades and professions. Applicants are thus advised to contact the government of the specific province they wish to live in so that they can learn about relevant regulatory requirements.

A job offer will be INVALID if it consists of work at:

• An embassy in Canada
• A high commission in Canada
• A consulate in Canada

Interested employers: Kindly contact us here to receive further information.

Interested candidates: Find out whether you qualify to Canada by completing our free on-line evaluation. We will provide you with our evaluation within 1-2 business days.