What makes a job offer valid under Express Entry?

If you are planning to migrate to Canada in 2021, and have applied under the Express Entry system and you have a job offer as well, you might be wondering if the job offer is a valid one. A valid job offer under Express Entry can act in your favor and help you gain a permanent residency visa in Canada much faster.

As you are aware, the Express Entry system is a point-based system that manages applicants seeking permanent residency for those who can fill jobs where there is a lack of available skilled Canadian workers. Immigration candidates who submit their profiles to the Express Entry pool are assigned a CRS score out of 1200 points. The Express Entry draw is conducted at regular intervals and those with high CRS scores are invited to apply for the PR visa. Your CRS score increases if you have a  valid job offer in Canada.

Check if your job offer is a valid one

• A job offer is valid provided it meets the following conditions:
• It must be a full-time and non-seasonal job offer
• Job offer must be valid for at least one year
• Job offer must be for a skilled job which is listed as Skill Type 0, or Skill Level A or B in the 2016 National Occupational Classification

The job offer must be in writing and must contain details such as the pay and deductions, description of job duties, the conditions of employment such as the hours of work.

Your job offer must be valid under the Express Entry program that you have qualified for.

Valid job offer conditions under the Federal Skilled Workers (FSW) and Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

Your job offer must meet any one of the following three conditions:

1.Your job offer is from an employer with a new positive Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) in which the job offer is approved and mentions your name and your position.

2. You are currently working on a NOC 0, A or B job in Canada with a work permit issued on the basis of an LMIA
3. If you have a valid work permit that is exempt from requiring an LMIA for a NOC 0, A or B job.

Valid job offer conditions under the Federal Skilled Trades (FST)

If you have applied under the Federal Skilled Trades category the job offer must be made by two employers and the job offer must be in a skilled trade occupation in a skilled trade occupation in a job with 2016 NOC codes that start with 72, 73, 82, 92 as well as 632 and 633.

Your job offer must meet any one of the following three conditions:

1.Your job offer must be from an employer with a positive LMIA that approves the job offer and names you and the place of work.

2. You are in a skilled trade job in Canada under a work permit that was issued based on a positive LMIA.
3. You possess a valid work permit for one of the listed skilled trade occupations and it is exempt from requiring an LMIA.

LMIA conditions

The job offer will be termed valid if it is supported by a LMIA. The employer has to apply for this. Once your employer gets a positive LMIA, they must give a copy to you along with a written job offer.

Some job offers are however exempt from LMIA, find out if your job offer falls under this category.

Invalid job offers

Your job offer is not valid if your employer is an embassy, high commission or consulate based on Canada. A job offer from an ineligible employer makes it invalid or if your employer fails to get a positive LMIA or is not LMIA exempt, then your job offer is not valid.

Advantages of a valid job offer

A valid job offer as we mentioned earlier will give you additional points for your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.

You must include the LMIA number in your Express Entry application as proof that you have a valid job offer.

A valid job offer can act highly in your favor when you apply under the Express Entry system to migrate to Canada and will help you acquire a permanent residency.