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How to Get Express Entry into Canada for Skilled Immigrants With Offer of Employment

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A work permit on its own is not a job offer, even if it is an open work permit.

Your job offer must also meet other criteria to be valid under the Express Entry program you qualify for below.

Federal Skilled Workers and Canadian Experience Class

A valid job offer has to be:

made by one employer
continuous
paid
full-time (at least 30 hours a week)
not seasonal
for at least one year after we issue your permanent resident visa
in a job that is NOC:
- Skill Type 0 or
- Skill Levels A or B

It also must be made :

by an employer 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 NOC 0, A or B job on a work permit that was issued based on an LMIA, and:
- you’re working for an employer listed on your work permit
- you’re authorized to work in Canada on the day you apply for a permanent resident visa, and when the visa is issued
- your current employer made you an offer to give you a full-time job for at least one year if you’re accepted as a permanent resident OR
if you have a valid work permit for a NOC 0, A or B job that is exempt from needing an LMIA, and you:
- are currently working for an employer specified on the work permit
- have one year of full-time work experience (or an equal amount of part-time work) for that employer
- have a valid job offer from that employer for at least one year after we issue your permanent resident visa

Federal Skilled Trades workers

A valid job offer has to be:

made by up to two employers
for continuous, paid, full-time work (at least 30 hours a week)
for at least one year
in a skilled trade occupation (jobs with 2016 NOC codes that start with 72, 73, 82, 92 as well as 632 and 633)

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It also must be made:

by employer(s) who have 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 a work permit that was issued based on a positive LMIA, and:
- you’re working for an employer listed on your work permit
- you’re authorized to work in Canada on the day you apply for a permanent resident visa and when the visa is issued
- your current employer(s) offered 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 OR
you have a valid work permit for one of the listed skilled trade occupation and it’s exempt from needing an LMIA, and you:
- are currently working for an employer specified on the work permit
- have one year of full-time work experience (or an equal amount of part-time work) for the employer(s) on your work permit who is making the offer and
- have a valid job offer from that employer for at least one year after we issue your permanent resident visa

Express Entry into Canada for Skilled Immigrants With Offer of Employment

Examples of a valid and non-valid job offer

In both examples, the LMIA supports the job offer as set out above, or is exempt from needing an LMIA.

Example 1

Two companies hire a heavy equipment operator. The LMIA lists both. Each employer is offering 16 hours of work per week for a minimum of one year.

This job offer is valid.

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Example 2

A construction company offers a plumber a position for 25 hours per week. It’s on a non-contract basis.

This job offer isn’t valid. A job must be for at least 30 hours a week to be full -time.

Jobs exempt from needing an LMIA

There are only two reasons the employer making you the offer doesn’t need to get a new LMIA:

if you’re already working for them with a work permit based on that LMIA
if you work in a job that doesn’t need an LMIA

Find out more about jobs that are exempt.

Your employer must get a new LMIA if:

your work permit has expired
you’re working on an open work permit
you have a job offer from an employer not listed on your work permit

Can you do the job?

Our officers must be convinced that you will:

be capable of doing the work you’re offered
likely qualify to be licensed or certified by the relevant regulatory body once you’re in Canada ( if the job is regulated in Canada)

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FAQs

1. Can I apply for Canada Express Entry with a job offer from a Canadian employer?

Yes. A valid job offer can support your Express Entry application, depending on the immigration program you qualify for. However, a job offer is not mandatory for all Express Entry programs, and since March 25, 2025, job offers no longer provide CRS points.

2. What makes a job offer valid for Express Entry?

Generally, the offer must be recent and in writing, and it should specify details such as your duties, pay and working conditions. For the Federal Skilled Worker Program, for example, a qualifying offer is normally for continuous, paid, full-time work of at least 30 hours per week for at least one year in a TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupation. An LMIA may also be required unless the position qualifies for an exemption.

3. How do I apply for Express Entry after receiving a Canadian job offer?

First, determine which Express Entry program you qualify for, prepare documents such as your language test results, educational credential assessment where required, work-experience records and job-offer documents, and create an Express Entry profile. If eligible, you enter the pool and are ranked according to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Being in the pool does not guarantee an invitation to apply for permanent residence.

4. Does having a Canadian job offer guarantee permanent residence?

No. A job offer does not automatically guarantee an invitation or permanent residence. You must meet the requirements of an Express Entry program, submit an accurate profile, obtain a competitive ranking where applicable, receive an invitation to apply, and satisfy IRCC’s application and admissibility requirements.

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