Canada’s Express Entry system is a points-based system for managing applications for certain economic immigration programs. Known as the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), it ranks candidates based on their skills, work experience, language ability, education, and other factors. One potential avenue for gaining points is through securing a job offer from a Canadian employer. However, you may find yourself puzzled if you did not receive points for your job offer. This article aims to clarify the reasons why this might have happened.
First, it’s crucial to understand the conditions that make a job offer eligible for points in the Express Entry system. To answer “Yes” to the question, “Does [your name] have a job offer in Canada?”, the following two conditions must be met:
- A Canadian employer (or up to two for the Federal Skilled Trades Program) has offered you a full-time, non-seasonal job that will last one year or more.
- The job offer is supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), or it is exempt from needing an LMIA.
A Labour Market Impact Assessment is a document that a Canadian employer may need to obtain before hiring a foreign worker. It is a proof that no Canadian citizen or permanent resident is available to do the job, and therefore, a foreign worker is needed.
If you are currently working in Canada but have not received a job offer that is supported by an LMIA (or is exempt from needing one), you should:
- Answer “No” to the question regarding a job offer.
- Create a Job Match account in Job Bank. This is an online platform where employers can find potential candidates, and job seekers can find employment opportunities.
It’s worth noting that from January 1, 2015, to November 19, 2016, job offers that did not need an LMIA were not considered valid for Express Entry. However, the system now accepts certain job offers that don’t need an LMIA.
There are several reasons why you may not have received points for your job offer, even if it seemed to meet these conditions:
- Job Level: The job offer must meet the requirements of the National Occupational Classification (NOC). It should be in the NOC 00, 0, A, or B categories.
- Job Offer Validation: The Canadian employer offering the job must also meet certain criteria, and the job offer must be validated.
- Express Entry Profile Update: Perhaps your Express Entry profile was not updated to reflect the job offer, or there could be an error in the way it was entered.
- Mismatch in NOC code: The job duties in your offer letter might not align with the NOC code you chose.
If you’ve ensured all of the above, and you’re still wondering why you didn’t receive points, it would be advisable to seek professional help. Consult with an immigration expert or contact the Canadian immigration authorities directly for clarification.
Remember that the Express Entry program is a competitive system, and the highest-ranked candidates are invited to apply for permanent residence. Hence, ensuring that all information in your profile, including your job offer, is accurately represented is crucial to improving your chances of success.
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