Getting points for a job offer as an applicant of Canada’s Express Entry system isn’t as hard as they make it look.
getting an eligible job offer from a Canadian employer is really all you need to do as an applicant to maximize your points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) and consequently receive the invitation to apply (ITA) for immigration to Canada.
That been said, it isn’t all job offers that are admissible for CRS points. So In this article, we would be given you all the needed information about what makes a job offer admissible for points, the points you get for eligible jobs, in addition to some tips and tricks to help you find a job offer for Express Entry immigration to Canada.
What job offers can you claim CRS points for in Express Entry?
Fact is, not all job offers would get you CRS points on your Express Entry profile. For you to earn points on your Express Entry profile, the job offer you have needs to be considered valid under the Express Entry program.
The immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has explicitly stated that for a job to be regarded as valid under the Express Entry program, the job offer in Canada ought to be for a job that is:
- A non-seasonal and full-time.
- Last for at least a year.
- Ought to be for a job offer that is either for Skill Level 0, A, or B, in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) list.
- Fully accompanied by a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), or exempted from needing one.
When claiming points for any job offer under the Express Entry program, you would need to provide a copy of the written job offer indicating your position, salary, duties, and conditions of employment (if any). And also, you must add proof of your positive LMIA or LMIA-exemption.
What is a Labour Market Impact Assessment, and do I need it for a job offer for Express Entry?
Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIA) are documents gotten by a Canadian employer who desires to hire a foreign worker to fill an open position in Canada. Only the Canadian employer is allowed to apply for an LMIA, foreign workers cannot on their own apply.
LMIAs are used in assessing if or not hiring those foreign talents would have a negative or positive impact on the Canadian labor market. To apply for an LMIA, Canadian employers must include the following information about their business:
- What position they desire to fill with that foreign worker, and
- Proof of their efforts to employ a Citizen or permanent resident of Canada to fill the position without avail.
LMIAs are submitted only to the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). ESDC is responsible for reviewing all submitted LMIAs to determine if an LMIA is positive or negative.
All foreign workers would be required to have a positive LMIA with their job offers in order for the job offer to count towards their Express Entry profile and CRS score. There are exceptions to these LMIA rules and we’d be discussing LMIA-exempt job offers below.
LMIA-Exempt Job Offers
Canadian employers are exempted from needing an LMIA to employ foreign workers in some cases. There are three wide categories of LMIA exemptions, which are:
- Exemptions through the international trade agreements, like CUSMA;
- Exemptions through the agreements between the federal government of Canada and provincial governments; and
- Exemptions based on the “Canadian interests”, like an intra-company transfer.
For more recent and updated details on LMIA-exemptions, please visit the IRCC’s guidelines on what jobs are exempted from needing an LMIA. If you desire to claim points for an LMIA-exempted job offer during your Express Entry process, you would need to prove to the IRCC that your offer matches the exemption criteria when you are given the invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
How many CRS points do you get for a job offer for Express Entry?
As regards the number of CSR points awarded for a job offer on the Express Entry program, this is solely dependent on the NOC code of that offered position.
You would be getting between 50 or 200 points, which is equally dependent on the skill level of that offered position, Only upper management positions are given the highest amount of 200 CSR points.
- 200 points: Job offers that begins with NOC code 00
- 50 points: Every other job offer at NOC skill level 0, A, or B
How to find a Canadian job offer for Express Entry
In today’s post-pandemic world, lots of ways have emerged from which you can successfully search for and get Canadian job offers.
But, before kicking off your job hunt adventure, you have to ensure that you’re adequately prepared for the application process. Below are the simple steps you should follow to prepare yourself and increase your chances of finding a Canadian job offer:
Step 1: Format your CV to the Canadian standards
In Canada, the traditional resume format is what thrives. There’s a huge chance it differs from that which is used in your home country, so please check and double-check to confirm you’re using the right format.
Step 2: Include a cover letter
Although the effectiveness is still widely debated in Canada, most recruiting managers still expect you to send an accompanying cover letter with your initial application. So not including it or using the wrong format would be detrimental to your application.
Step 3: Ensure you’re using LinkedIn to your advantage
LinkedIn as a social networking platform for working professionals is used daily by lots of employers to fill open job positions.
Step 4: Apply for the right jobs
You need to specifically find job roles that fit your experience and to put together an outstanding application. To land job roles that best fit your experience, we recommend you begin by checking the online Jobs Board.
After you have created an eligible Express Entry profile, a job seeker validation code would be assigned to you that will enable you to register your profile with the Canadian job bank.
Also, lots of Canadian jobs are advertised via job boards and social media platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Ziprecruiter.
Kindly be conscious of fraudulent entities when searching for a Canadian job. In lots of instances in recent years, prospective immigrants are being defrauded by fake entities extending fraudulent offers of employment for Canadian immigration.
If you are concerned about if a job offer is legitimate, kindly enlist the help of an immigration expert.
How do I know if my Canadian immigration job offer is real?
If you’ve looked hard enough, then you’d have definitely seen series of stories online about unscrupulous people and organizations who defraud prospective Canadian immigrants by issuing them “fake” job offers typically for a fee. Never pay any individual or entity for a job in Canada.
