Maple News reports that candidates in Canada’s Express Entry immigration system can significantly boost their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores—and improve their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence—by securing a valid job offer from a Canadian employer. Depending on the nature of the job, applicants may earn an additional 50 or 200 CRS points.
To qualify for the highly coveted 200-point bonus, the job must be in an executive-level role falling under National Occupational Classification (NOC) category 00, which includes senior management positions. These roles are rare and typically limited, with some—such as those for elected officials—only available to Canadian citizens. Most eligible applicants instead qualify for the 50-point bonus, awarded for offers in skilled occupations under NOC categories 0, A, or B.
A valid job offer, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), must be full-time (minimum 30 hours per week), paid, and non-seasonal. It must also be continuous and extend at least one year beyond the issuance of permanent resident status. In some cases—particularly for Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) applicants—the 30-hour requirement may be met through two part-time employers.
Generally, the job offer must be supported by a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), a document demonstrating that hiring the foreign national will not negatively impact Canada’s labor market. This added layer of validation ensures that the job offer is both legitimate and aligned with Canadian employment needs.
However, certain job offers are LMIA-exempt, particularly those under international agreements (such as NAFTA or CUSMA), intra-company transfers, or public interest scenarios. In these cases, applicants may still earn CRS points provided they’ve worked for the employer for at least one year and will continue to do so after obtaining permanent residence. It is essential that the employer named on the job offer matches the one on the applicant’s work permit.
Statistics show that only about 13% of ITA recipients in 2019 received additional points for a valid job offer, highlighting how challenging it can be to secure such roles. Nonetheless, those who do meet the criteria may gain a significant advantage in the competitive Express Entry pool.
Maple News recommends evaluating your eligibility early and consulting immigration professionals or employer networks to explore job opportunities in Canada that can strengthen your Express Entry profile.
By understanding these rules and targeting a valid job offer, Express Entry candidates can substantially improve their likelihood of receiving Canadian permanent residency.