The Express Entry system awards points to potential applicants based on economic factors that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) deems will help new permanent residents become economically established in Canada.
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) awards points for factors including age, years of skilled work experience (in and outside Canada), French or English language ability, level of education, accompanying spouse’s education, language and Canadian work experience (if applicable), bilingualism, provincial nomination and more.
Have a job offer – you might get extra points!
You may qualify for additional points if you have a job offer that meets certain criteria. Not all job offers are eligible for extra points.
Only a qualifying offer of arranged employment is eligible for extra points. In most cases, your employer must apply to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to support the job offer. You may also be eligible for extra points if you have an LMIA-exempt work permit and a job offer from the employer named on your permit.
Conditions of the Job Offer
First and foremost, the job offer must be made by a single employer that is for continuous, full-time work in Canada having a duration of at least one year after the date on which you (the principal applicant in the application for permanent residence) become a permanent resident. Job offers from an embassy, high commission or consulate in Canada or an employer who has failed to meet the employer compliance requirements are ineligible.
Job offers for skilled trades occupations can be made by up to two (2) employers, and must be full-time, continuous for at least one year after permanent residence is approved.
Only job offers in an occupation that is listed in TEER Category 0, 1, 2 or 3 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) are eligible for extra points.
Offers of Employment with an LMIA
You will be awarded points for arranged employment if you have a job offer meeting the criteria above from an employer who has a valid LMIA. In the case of skilled trades, the job offer may be made by up to two employers.
Your application for permanent residence must be submitted during the LMIA’s validity period, which is typically 18 months. However, if you have a valid work permit issued based on an LMIA, you are eligible for additional points until your work permit expires, even if the LMIA is expired. You must also be working for the employer that made you the job offer and that employer must be named on your work permit in the case of an expired LMIA.
Offers of Employment without an LMIA
You may be eligible for arranged employment points if you have a job offer from an employer named on your work permit that was issued under the International Mobility Program (IMP) in the International agreements/arrangements or Canadian Interests categories. In these cases, an LMIA is not required to be eligible for extra points.
If you fall into this category, your work permit must continue to be valid at the time of registration and application, your employer must be named on your work permit and you must have accumulated at least one year of full-time work experience, or equivalent part-time, for that employer in Canada.
Points Awarded based on Skill Level
The amount of points awarded for arranged employment depends on the skill level of the qualifying job offer.
Offers of employment for senior managers (NOC 00 – C-suite, president and vice-president, general manager, executive director, etc.) are awarded 200 points. All other job offers (TEER 0, 1, 2, and 3) are awarded 50 points.
Points can be revoked
There are a number of cases in which points for arranged employment can be revoked, including:
- If the LMIA is suspended or revoked by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC);
- If the offer is revoked by the employer or is no longer a qualifying offer of arranged employment (i.e. the LMIA or work permit expires before the PR application is submitted);
- If you are unable to perform the duties of the employment or are unlikely to agree to perform them.
In these cases, your CRS score must be adjusted accordingly.
TL;DR
Job offers must meet certain conditions in order for you to qualify for arranged employment points. The job offer must be for continuous, full-time work in Canada having a duration of at least one year after the date on which you become a permanent resident. An LMIA is usually required, unless you have a valid employer-specific, LMIA-exempt work permit.
Written on July 12, 2024 by Brooke Finlay
