A job offer in Canada

A job offer in Canada is an important element in the process of obtaining a work visa and immigrating. For a job offer to be approved, the Canadian employer must meet the requirements set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).

Definition

A job offer is an important document in the process of obtaining a work visa and immigrating to Canada. It is a formal letter from a Canadian employer to a foreign worker setting out details of the job, the wage and the working conditions.

A valid job offer can help a worker obtain aWork Permitor earn additional points underComprehensive Ranking System (CRS) trong Express Entry, improving their chances of immigrating to Canada.

Requirements

ESDC validates a job offer against the following conditions:

• The job offer must be genuine, meaning there is a real hiring need.
• The wage and working conditions must be attractive enough to draw Canadian workers and must not create unfair competition.
• The position must be full-time (at least 30 hours per week) and must not be seasonal work.

If these criteria are met, the employer may proceed with an application for aLabour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)to confirm the need to hire a foreign worker.

What it must contain

Canadian employers must prepare a formal employment contract or job offer letter as required byImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)andEmployment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). The mandatory content includes:

• The job title of the position offered.
• A job description, including the main duties and responsibilities.
• The requirements for the position – a list of the professional credentials, education, skills, experience and licences required (if any).
• The start date and, where applicable, the end date of the position.
• Details of the wage offered, including salary and any other forms of payment.
• The name and address of the employer, the address of the prospective employee’s place of work, and the contact details of someone at the Canadian company who can confirm the job offer.

In addition to verifying that the job offer is genuine, ESDC will make sure that the conditions offered by the employer meet Canadian labour standards.

Candidates looking for work in Canada must alsodistinguish between a job offer and a contract of employmentin order to establish their legal standing and protect their own interests.

Types of job offer relevant to the Canadian immigration process

Job offers relevant to the Canadian immigration process can be classified by their purpose:

A job offer supporting a work permit application

Some jobs in Canada require the international worker to have an LMIA before applying for a work permit. These cases include:

• Jobs in particular industries (agriculture, construction, engineering).
• Jobs paying below the provincial median wage.
• Jobs that are not LMIA-exempt.

A job offer supporting a permanent residence (PR) application

A worker with a valid job offer may receive an additional 50 – 200 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points in the Express Entry system, improving their chances of receiving anInvitation to Apply (ITA)for Canadian permanent residence. Specifically:

• 50 CRS points for jobs in theNational Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER 0, 1, 2, 3.
• 200 CRS points for jobs in National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER 00 senior management occupations.

The role of the LMIA in validating a job offer

An LMIA is a document confirming that no Canadian worker is qualified for the position and that the employer therefore needs to hire a foreign worker. There are 2 types of LMIA:

• High-wage LMIA – for jobs paying above the provincial median wage.
• Low-wage LMIA – for jobs paying below the provincial median wage.

The employer must submit an LMIA application and wait for ESDC to review it, a process that usually takes 8 – 12 weeks.

Finding work in Canada

Finding a job offer in Canada is an important step towards working legally and increasing your immigration score under programmes such as Express Entry or joiningProvincial Nominee Program (PNP). Below are some effective ways to find work in Canada:

Job boards

Canada has many reliable online job platforms that give candidates access to thousands of vacancies from employers:

• Canada Job Bank (www.jobbank.gc.ca) – the official job board of the Government of Canada.
• Indeed Canada (www.indeed.ca) – one of the largest job boards in the world.
• LinkedIn Canada (www.linkedin.com) – a professional network that lets candidates connect directly with employers and join job-search groups.

As a rule, Canadian employers who cannot find a local worker must advertise the vacancy in the media to seek local workers before they can be authorised to hire a foreign worker.

Attending job fairs and recruitment events

Job fairs in Canada are a good opportunity to meet employers face to face and submit an application:

• Express Entry Job Fair – an event for high-skilled foreign workers.
• Canada Career Expo – a job fair covering a wide range of professional fields.

Connecting with employers and industry networks

• Contact companies directly through their websites.
• Join job forums and groups on Facebook and LinkedIn.
• Ask friends and acquaintances to refer you to opportunities.

Important points to note

If the work takes place in the province ofQuebec, the job offer must also be approved by the provincial government. Workers should check the additional requirements specific to this province before applying for a work permit.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about job offers in Canada