Job offer
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Job offer basics
Changes to how we assess jobs offers
As of November 3, 2026, we're changing how we assess job offers under Express Entry:
- you don't need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) for a job offer to qualify
- having an LMIA will not give you more Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points or give your profile priority
- job offers may be for an existing or a new position and with any employer
- officers will assess whether a job offer is genuine
If you have a job offer that isn't included in your profile, you should update it before November 3, 2026.
The system will recalculate your existing profile when the changes take effect.
- This process may take up to two weeks.
- During this time we'll pause invitation rounds and will start again when it's complete.
What isn’t changing
If having a valid job offer is part of your eligibility criteria, this won't change. This includes:
- the Federal Skilled Trades Program
- the Federal Skilled Worker Program
- some streams under provincial nominee programs
Valid job offers to meet eligibility criteria can continue to be in either a non-high-wage or high-wage occupation, but an LMIA will no longer be required for these job offers.
You should still include the details of any job offers in your Express Entry profile so you stay eligible for these programs.
How to update your profile if you have a job offer without an LMIA
As of November 3, 2026, while our requirements will have changed, our online system will not yet reflect that change.
In your profile you will still be required to select that you have a positive LMIA, even though you don't need one.
In your profile, under "Work history", include that you have a job offer with the following details:
| Question or field | Response |
|---|---|
| Was a positive LMIA issued for the job offer in Canada? | Yes |
| LMIA Number | 00000 |
| LMIA Issuance Date | 2026-01-01 |
| LMIA Expiry Date | 2029-01-01 |
If you have a new job offer (offer of arranged employment), you need to update your Express Entry profile in your IRCC secure account with the:
- start date
- employer name and address
- labour market impact assessment (LMIA) number (if you have one)
- National Occupational Classification (NOC) code related to the job
Your job offer must:
- be recent
- be in writing
- not be from an embassy, high commission or consulate in Canada
- set out details of the job they’re offering you, such as:
- your pay and deductions
- your duties
- the conditions of employment, like your hours of work
A work permit on its own is not a job offer, even if it is an open work permit.
Your job offer must also meet other criteria to be valid under the Express Entry program you qualify for below.
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 (CRS)
Learn more about our updated requirements for a valid job offer to work as a physician.
Other requirements by program
Federal Skilled Workers Program
If you don’t have a valid job offer, you’ll need to provide proof of funds to be approved. A valid job offer has to be:
- from 1 employer
- continuous
- paid
- full-time (at least 30 hours a week)
- not seasonal
- for at least 1 year if you’re accepted as a permanent resident
- in a NOC TEER category 0, 1, 2 or 3
It must also 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 the 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 1 year if you’re accepted as a permanent resident, OR
- if you have a valid work permit for a NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 job that is exempt from needing an LMIA, and you:
- are currently working for the employer specified on the work permit
- have 1 year of full-time work experience (or an equal amount of part-time work) for that employer under any work permit
- have a valid job offer from that employer for at least 1 year if you’re accepted as a permanent resident
Federal Skilled Trades Program
If you don’t have a valid job offer, you’ll need a certificate of qualification in your skilled trade. A valid job offer has to be:
- made by up to 2 employers
- for continuous, paid, full-time work (at least 30 hours a week)
- for at least 1 year
- for 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
- Major Group 73, general trades
- Major Group 82, supervisors in natural resources, agriculture and related production
- Major Group 83, occupations in natural resources and related production
- Major Group 92, processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors, and utilities operators and controllers
- Major Group 93, central control and process operators and aircraft assembly assemblers and inspectors, excluding Sub-Major Group 932, aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors
- Minor Group 6320, cooks, butchers and bakers
- Unit Group 62200, chefs
- Major Group 72, technical trades and 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
- you have a valid work permit for 1 of the listed skilled trade occupations exempt from needing an LMIA, and you:
- are currently working for an employer specified on the work permit
- have 1 year of full-time work experience (or an equal amount of part-time work) for the employer(s) on your work permit who made the offer, and
- have a valid job offer from that employer for at least 1 year if you’re accepted as a permanent resident
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 of a valid job offer
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 of a non-valid job offer
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.
Canadian Experience Class
You don’t need a job offer to be eligible, but your employer may choose to give you one.
Provincial Nominee Program
You may need a valid job offer, depending on the Provincial Nominee Program you’re eligible for, to be considered.
Who needs an LMIA
In most cases, your employer needs a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to support your job offer for Express Entry.
Your future employer is responsible for getting you an LMIA if you need one.
Your employer must get a new LMIA if:
- you don't already have a work permit
- 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
There are only 2 reasons the employer making you the offer doesn’t need to get a new LMIA:
- if you’ve already been working full-time (or an equal amount of part-time) for them with a work permit based on an LMIA, and you have a valid job offer
- if you work in a job that doesn’t need an LMIA
Who doesn't need an LMIA
Your employer doesn’t need an LMIA to support your job offer if:
- you’ve been working full-time for the employer(s) on your work permit for at least 1 year (or an equal amount of part-time work)
- you have a valid job offer, and
- you have a valid work permit that is exempt from an LMIA under:
- an international agreement (like CUSMA or GATS, and non-trade agreements)
- This includes professionals, traders and investors.
- a federal-provincial agreement
- This includes “significant investment” projects.
- “Canadian interests” reasons, including:
- significant benefit: Your employer must show that hiring you will bring social, cultural, or economic benefits to Canada. This includes:
- self-employed engineers, artists, and technical workers
- intra-company transferees with specialized knowledge that will benefit Canada
- workers under the Francophone Mobility program
- reciprocal employment: If Canadians have similar opportunities abroad, you may get a job in Canada. This includes:
- professional coaches and athletes for Canadian teams
- exchange programs, like professors and visiting lecturers
- designated by the Minister: This includes:
- academics (researchers, lecturers, and professors) under a recognized federal program
- post-doctoral fellows, medical residents, and people with academic awards from Canadian schools
- charity and religious work: This doesn't include volunteers.
- significant benefit: Your employer must show that hiring you will bring social, cultural, or economic benefits to Canada. This includes:
- an international agreement (like CUSMA or GATS, and non-trade agreements)
Ability to do the work
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 in their jurisdiction. 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.