How does a job offer help Express Entry applicants get CRS points? Express Entry applicants must be aware that only qualifying job offers are eligible for Comprehensive Ranking System points under arranged employment. 

CRS points are an integral part of the economic immigration journey for Express Entry applicants. These points rank applicant profiles against one another and play an integral role in determining who obtains an ITA from IRCC. 

Accordingly, all Express Entry applicants, irrespective of whether they apply to the FSTP, FSWP, or CEC, are constantly looking for ways to improve their CRS score & their chances of immigrating to Canada. 

One way applicants can improve their CRS score is by having ‘arranged employment’ for when they arrive in Canada. Arranged employment is valuable because it can provide an applicant with 50 or 200 additional CRS points. 

However, IRCC clarifies that only specific employment offers qualify for CRS points and that what qualifies as eligible employment changes depending on the program. 

FSWP & CEC 

Does a job offer help Express Entry applicants get CRS points? Well, yes! 

In order to be eligible for CRS points under ‘arranged employment,’ FSWP & CEC applicants must have a job offer that is: 

  • For one employer in an occupation that falls under a NOC 2021 code that is in any of the following TEER categories: 0, 1, 2, or 3
  • Not seasonal
  • Continuous, paid, & full-time 
  • Valid. Offered for a minimum of one year after IRCC issues the applicant their permanent resident visa 

The qualifying employers must either have a new positive LMIA that approves the offer & names the workers & their positions or a work permit that was issued based on a positive LMIA. 

Note that this applies to foreign nationals who are presently working in Canada in a NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 jobs. 

Applicants to both FSTP & CEC who have an existing LMIA-based work permit must: 

  • Work for an employer listed on their work permit 
  • Be authorized to work in Canada, both on the day they apply for a PR visa & when the visa is issued
  • Be offered, by their current employer, a full-time job if accepted as a PR

Foreign nationals with a valid LMIA-exempt work permit might also obtain CRS points for ‘arranged employment’ if: 

  • They are presently working for an employer specified on the work permit. 
  • They have one year of full-time work experience for that employer.
  • They have a valid employment offer from that employer for at least one year from the date that IRCC issues the applicant their PR visa. 

FSTP

In order to be eligible for CRS points under ‘arranged employment,’ FSTP workers must have a job offer that: 

  • Total 30 hours of employment per week
  • Is/ are for continuous, paid, full-time work spanning at least one year
  • Is/ are for work that falls under a qualifying skilled trade occupation 

The qualifying employer must either have a new positive LMIA that approves the offer & names the worker & their position or a work permit that was issued based on a positive LMIA. 

Note that this applies to foreign nationals who are presently working in Canada in a skilled trade job.

FSTP applicants must be aware that foreign nations with an existing LMIA-based work permit must: 

  • Work for an employer listed on their work permit 
  • Be authorized to work in Canada, both on the day they apply for a PR visa & when the visa is issued
  • Be offered, by their present employer, a full-time job if accepted as a PR

Note: This full-time job offer must be at least one year in length and be offered in a job at the same three-digit NOC level as your current job. 

Foreign nationals with a valid LMIA-exempt work permit for one of the listed skilled trade professions might also obtain CRS points for ‘arranged employment’ if they: 

  • Are presently working for an employer specified on the work permit 
  • Have a valid job offer from that employer for at least one year from the date that IRCC issues the candidate their PR visa.
  • Have one year of full-time work experience for the employers on your work permit    

Does My Work Permit Qualify As A Job Offer For Express Entry? 

How does a job offer help Express Entry applicants get CRS points? Well, IRCC clarifies that whether the candidate is working in Canada or abroad, a work permit does not qualify as a job offer for the purpose of obtaining CRS points as an Express Entry applicant. 

In addition to the above-listed information for each Express Entry-managed program, a job offer must also be: 

  • Recent 
  • In writing 
  • For a full-time, non-seasonal job
  • A minimum of  one year in length from the date the applicant is accepted as a Canadian PR
  • Accompanied by a positive LMIA from ESDC, unless LMIA-exempt  
  • Not from an embassy, high commission, or consulate in Canada 
  • Provides specific details about the job being offered, including pay, deductions, employment conditions, duties, etc.