Documents for Express Entry: Offer of employment

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 job offer is valid if the job is

• working for one employer
• continuous
• paid
• full-time (at least 30 hours a week)
• not seasonal
• for at least 1 year after we issue your permanent resident visa
• in a NOC TEER category 0, 1, 2 or 3

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 TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 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
  • 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 (a job under one of these NOC 2021 TEER 2 and 3 categories.)
    • Major Group 72, technical trades and transportation officers and controllers,
      • excluding Sub-Major Group 726, transportation officers and controllers

      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
        • 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

        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.

        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.

        If you’re a physician with a job offer in Canada

        We introduced a temporary public policy for foreign national physicians who

        • were invited to apply for permanent residence through Express Entry on or after April 25, 2023, and submitted an application
        • have a job offer to provide publicly funded medical services in Canada

        Under the policy, your job offer

        • is valid under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) even if the job being offered is not continuous and does not last for at least 1 year after we issue your permanent resident visa
        • allows you to earn points
          • for arranged employment under the FSWP selection factors
          • toward your total Express Entry score in the Comprehensive Ranking System

          Jobs exempt from needing an LMIA

          Your future employer is responsible for getting you an LMIA if you need one.

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

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

          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?

          You must convince our officers 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)

          Each province and territory designates their professions and trades. Requirements to be designated or certified vary by province.

          Get more information on licensing and regulatory requirements for specific professions or contact the relevant body in the province/territory where you plan to live.