The Express Entry system in Canada is a popular immigration program that allows skilled workers from all over the world to immigrate and become permanent residents. The program is based on a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which assigns points to candidates based on various criteria such as age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and others. Getting a job offer from a Canadian employer is one of the most effective ways to boost your CRS points and increase your chances of being invited to apply for permanent residency.

In this blog post, we will look at how to get a job offer in Canada and how it can boost your Express Entry points significantly. We will also offer advice on job search strategies, networking, and other resources to assist you in achieving your goal of immigrating to Canada via the Express Entry system.

Overview of Express Entry Points

One way for people to immigrate to Canada is through the Express Entry system. It is a point-based system that assesses potential candidates based on factors such as age, education, language proficiency, work experience, and others. The system assigns points to each candidate using a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), and those with the highest scores are invited to apply for permanent residency.

The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is the most important aspect of the Express Entry system. It is a point-based system that evaluates potential candidates based on a variety of criteria. Age, education, language proficiency, work experience, and other factors are among them. The top scorers are then invited to apply for permanent residency in Canada.

Points are assigned based on the individual profile of each candidate. A candidate can receive a maximum of 1,200 points. This score is determined by four major factors: Factors affecting core human capital, spouse or common-law partner factors, skill transferability factors, and additional factors.

The most important factor is the Core Human Capital Factors category, which is worth a maximum of 500 points. Age, education, language proficiency, and work experience are all considered in this category. The higher the overall CRS score, the higher the score in this category.

The Spouse or Common-Law Partner Factors category has a maximum point value of 40. It evaluates a candidate’s spouse or common-law partner’s level of education and language proficiency.

The Skill Transferability Factors category has a maximum point value of 100. This section evaluates a candidate’s ability to transfer skills to the Canadian labor market. This category takes into account factors such as education, work experience, and language proficiency.

The Additional Factors category has a maximum point value of 600. A valid job offer in Canada, a provincial nomination, and a sibling who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident all fall into this category.

The CRS calculation takes age into account. Candidates between the ages of 20 and 29 receive the most points in this category, which is 110. Candidates over the age of 45 do not receive any points in this category.

Another important factor in the CRS calculation is language proficiency. Language proficiency in English and/or French can earn candidates up to 290 points. The candidate’s ability to read, write, speak, and listen in either language determines this score.

Another important factor in the CRS calculation is education. Candidates can receive up to 230 points for their education, depending on their level of education. A Master’s degree or higher will earn you the most points.

Work experience is also a significant factor in calculating the CRS. Candidates’ work experience can be worth up to 80 points. A candidate with at least three years of full-time work experience in a skilled occupation will be awarded the most points in this category.

A job offer can greatly improve a candidate’s CRS score. A valid job offer can boost a candidate’s score by up to 200 points. The job offer must be in a skilled occupation and must be backed up by a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or be exempt from one.

The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is the most important aspect of the Express Entry system. Points are assigned based on a variety of factors, including age, education, language proficiency, work experience, and others. A candidate can receive a maximum of 1,200 points. A job offer can increase a candidate’s CRS score by as much as 200 points. To maximize your chances, you must first understand how the CRS works and how points are awarded.

What Exactly is a “Valid” Job Offer?

A job offer is considered valid by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC),  if it is full-time, continuous paid work. Full-time means working at least 30 hours per week for one employer—or up to two for candidates in the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). It cannot be seasonal work, and it must last at least one year after you receive your permanent resident visa.

It must also be in a skilled occupation, which means it falls under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system categories 00, 0, A, or B.

To receive points, your employer must typically obtain a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). An LMIA is a document that employers frequently require when hiring a foreign worker. It is intended to demonstrate that hiring a foreign worker will not hurt the Canadian job market.

Certain occupations, however, are exempt from the LMIA. You can also claim job offer points for these occupations if you have worked for them for a year and will continue to work for them for at least one year after receiving your permanent resident visa. Your current employer must also be listed on your work permit.

To put it another way, you can only get points for the job offer if:

It is for a full-time, continuous, paid position in a skilled occupation for at least one year; your employer has a positive LMIA that approves the offer and names you and your position; or you are currently working for the same employer listed on your LMIA-based work permit, and you are authorized to work in Canada on the day of your application and when the permanent resident visa is issued, and you have a valid job offer for at least one year after you get your permanent resident visa.

The important criterion that most people overlook is that your job offer must be supported by an LMIA or be LMIA-exempt to receive CRS points.

If you are working in Canada on an open work permit, such as a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), and your employer has not completed an LMIA, you cannot receive job offer points. Although an open work permit can help you get points for having Canadian work experience and may make you eligible for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), it does not allow you to get the 50 or 200-point award for having a job offer. Your employer should obtain an LMIA if you want the points for the job offer.

Furthermore, the immigration officer reviewing your file must be convinced that you are capable of performing the job that has been offered to you. If you work in a regulated occupation, IRCC will consider whether you are likely to be licensed or certified by a Canadian regulatory body.

Certification requirements are determined by provinces and territories. The website of the Canadian government contains information on the licensing and regulatory requirements for specific professions. You can also contact the relevant body in the province or territory where you intend to settle to inquire about licensing and certification.

How to Find a Job in Canada for Express Entry Points

There are numerous ways to look for a job in Canada. However, before you begin your job search, you must ensure that you are prepared for the Canadian job application process. Follow these simple steps to prepare yourself and increase your chances of landing a job in Canada:

Step One: Format your CV by Canadian standards.

CVs in Canada must follow a specific format (also called resumes). The format may differ from what you’re used to in your home country. Check out our guide on how to format a Canadian resume to ensure you’re on the right track.

Step 2: Create a cover letter that Canadian employers will appreciate.

Most Canadian employers expect job applicants to submit a cover letter with their initial application. You may lose out if you do not include a cover letter or use the format. Make sure to read our guide on how to write a Canadian cover letter.

Step 3: Make sure you’re taking advantage of LinkedIn.

Many employers use LinkedIn, a social networking site for working professionals, to fill open job positions. Check out our recommendations for how to make LinkedIn work for you.

Step 4: Apply for the appropriate jobs.

Take the time to look for positions that match your qualifications and create an eye-catching application. To begin your job search, we recommend visiting the Moving2Canada Jobs Board. You will receive a job seeker validation code after creating an eligible Express Entry profile, which will allow you to register your profile with the Canadian job bank. Furthermore, many Canadian jobs are advertised on job boards and social media platforms such as Indeed, LinkedIn, and ZipRecruiter.

When looking for a job in Canada, please be cautious of scams. There have been numerous reports of hopeful immigrants being duped by fake companies making false job offers for Canadian immigration. A legitimate employer will never ask you to pay for an employment offer, and you cannot legally be asked to pay immigration fees in connection with your job offer. If you have any doubts about the legitimacy of a job offer, please consult with an immigration expert.

How do I know if my job offer from Canada is genuine?

You may have heard that some unscrupulous individuals and organizations provide “fake” job offers to Canadian immigration applicants for a fee. In Canada, you should never pay anyone for a job.

Several other red flags should cause you to question whether or not a job offer is genuine. In this great video, one of our recommended Canadian immigration consultants, Deanne Acres-Lans from Canada Abroad, explains how to spot a Canadian immigration job offer scam:

The Impact of a Job Offer on Express Entry Points

The Canadian government has implemented the Express Entry system to make the immigration process easier for skilled workers who want to settle permanently in Canada. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is used to assess and rank candidates based on their skills, work experience, language proficiency, and other factors. A valid job offer can have a significant impact on a candidate’s CRS score, adding up to 200 points.

The Canadian government wants to attract skilled workers who can help the Canadian economy. As a result, a legitimate job offer from a Canadian employer is highly valued in the CRS. The job must be full-time, and the employer must have received a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). If the job offer meets these criteria, the candidate is eligible for CRS points.

Depending on the type of job, a valid job offer can add up to 50 or 200 points to a candidate’s CRS score. The candidate can claim 50 points if the job offer is in a National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill level 0, A, or B. If the job offer is in NOC skill level C or D, the candidate can earn 200 points. This is because jobs in NOC skill levels C or D are considered low-skilled and in high demand in certain regions of Canada.

Language proficiency is one of the most important factors in the CRS, and a job offer can have a positive or negative impact on it. Candidates with a valid job offer from a Canadian employer are eligible for bonus points under the CRS. Candidates must, however, demonstrate proficiency in either English or French by taking an approved language test. The language test measures a candidate’s ability to read, write, speak, and listen in the target language. Even if the candidate has a valid job offer, if they do not meet the minimum language proficiency requirements, they may not receive any language proficiency points.

Another factor in the CRS is education, and a job offer can influence it positively or negatively. Depending on the nature of the job, candidates with a valid job offer from a Canadian employer may not need a high level of education. Candidates with higher levels of education, on the other hand, can claim additional points under the CRS. As a result, if a candidate has a valid job offer but a low level of education, they may not receive as many points as a candidate with a higher level of education under the CRS.

Work experience is also an important factor in the CRS, and a job offer can have an impact on it either positively or negatively. Candidates with a valid job offer from a Canadian employer are eligible for bonus points under the CRS. Candidates with more work experience, on the other hand, can claim additional points under the CRS even if they do not have a job offer. As a result, a candidate with a valid job offer but less work experience may not receive as many points as a candidate with more work experience under the CRS.

A valid job offer can affect the invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residency in addition to adding points to the CRS score. Candidates with a valid job offer from a Canadian employer are eligible for an ITA even if their CRS score is not the highest. This is because the Canadian government prefers candidates who have a job offer. After all, they are more likely to successfully integrate into the Canadian labor market. As a result, a candidate with a valid job offer may be eligible for an ITA even if their CRS score is lower than that of other candidates.

To receive an ITA, candidates must also meet other eligibility criteria, such as medical and security checks. As a result, a job offer does not guarantee that a candidate will be granted an ITA for permanent residency.

It is critical to remember that a job offer must be current at the time of the invitation to apply for permanent residency. If a candidate’s job offer expires or becomes ineligible before receiving an ITA, they may be ineligible for additional CRS points or an ITA. As a result, candidates should make certain that their job offer is still valid throughout the application process.

Furthermore, candidates who have a valid job offer must ensure that the job offer meets the Canadian government’s minimum requirements. The job offer must be by Canadian labor laws and pay standards, and the employer must provide a safe and healthy workplace. Candidates should conduct extensive research on the employer and the job offer to ensure that they will have a positive experience working in Canada.

Conclusion

Finally, getting a job offer in Canada is a great way to boost your CRS points and increase your chances of being invited to apply for permanent residency through the Express Entry system. You can improve your chances of getting a job offer and optimizing your Express Entry points by following the tips and strategies outlined in this blog post. Remember to prioritize networking, personalizing your job applications, and staying current on Canadian job market trends. Through the Express Entry system, you can make your dream of immigrating to Canada a reality if you are persistent and dedicated. Best wishes on your journey!