The IRCC makes it clear that only specific employment offers are eligible for CRS points. The IRCC makes it clear that the requirements for qualified employment vary based on the program.

CEC and FSWP

For FSWP and CEC candidates to qualify for CRS points under the category of “arranged employment,” they need to have a job offer that is:

• For one employer, any of the following Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) categories apply to an employment that is classified under a National employment Classification (NOC) 2021 code: None, One, Two, or Three
• Constant, full-time, and compensated (at least 30 hours per week)
• Not cyclical

• Valid/offered for a minimum of a year following the candidate’s permanent resident (PR) visa being issued by the IRCC

*The qualified employer(s) must possess a work permit that was issued** based on a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or a fresh positive LMIA that accepts the offer and names the worker and their job.

**This is applicable to foreign nationals who hold NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 jobs and are actively employed in Canada.

Those who apply for the FSTP and CEC and who currently hold an LMIA-based work permit are required to:

• Be employed by the company that is mentioned on their work permit.
• Possess the right to work in Canada from the time they apply for a PR visa until the visa is granted.
• Be given the option to work full-time by their present employer(s) if they are hired as PRs.

A foreign person may also earn CRS points for “arranged employment” provided they have a valid LMIA-exempt work permit and are employed in a NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 role.

• Right now, they are employed by the company listed on their work permit.
• They have worked for that firm full-time for a year (or an equivalent number of months on a part-time basis).
• They have a legitimate job offer from that employer that will last for at least a year starting on the day the IRCC grants the candidate a PR visa.

FSTP

For FSTP workers to qualify for CRS points under the category of “arranged employment,” they need to have a job offer—or jobs—that:

• Total(s) 30 hours worked each week (if up to two different employers must make separate job offers)
• Is/are for ongoing, full-time, paid employment (at least 30 hours per week) for a minimum of one year

• Is/are for work that falls under a qualifying skilled trade occupation (under a qualifying NOC)

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

**This applies to foreign nationals who are currently working in Canada in a skilled trade job

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

• Be working for an employer listed on their work permit

• Possess the right to work in Canada from the time they apply for a PR visa until the visa is granted.

• Be given the option to work full-time by their present employer(s) if they are hired as PRs.

Note: This full-time employment offer needs to be for a position in the same three-digit level of the NOC as your existing position, and it needs to be extended for at least a year.

In addition, foreign nationals may earn CRS points for “arranged employment” provided they hold a valid LMIA-exempt work visa for any of the skilled trade jobs on the list.

• Right now, they are employed by the company listed on their work permit.
• The employer(s) on your work permit who are making the job offer have one year of full-time work experience (or an equivalent amount of part-time employment).
• They have a legitimate job offer from that company that will last for at least a year after the candidate’s PR visa is issued by the IRCC.

Does an Express Entry job offer come with a work permit?

IRCC makes it clear that a work visa does not count as a job offer for the purpose of earning CRS points as an Express Entry candidate, regardless of the candidate’s employment status in Canada or elsewhere.

A employment offer should include the following details for each Express Entry-managed program in addition to the ones mentioned above:

• Late
• In textual form
• For a permanent, full-time position
• A minimum of one year from the candidate’s acceptance date as a permanent resident of Canada
• Accompanied, unless LMIA-exempt, by a valid LMIA from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).

• Not from a Canadian high commission, embassy, or consulate

• gives particular information on the position being offered, such as the salary, benefits, responsibilities, and working circumstances (such as hours worked).