Job Offer for Immigration to Canada
To get a work visa, work permit, and immigrate to Canada, a foreign professional needs a job offer from a Canadian employer.
A job offer is one of the requirements in many Canadian immigration programs. It may also be necessary for obtaining a visa and a temporary (non-seasonal) work permit in Canada. In Canadian legislation, a job offer may be referred to in various ways: job offer, offer of employment, offer of arranged employment, employment offer.
For most provincial immigration programs, having a job offer from a provincial employer is mandatory. For federal immigration programs, a job offer is not required but can earn additional points in the Express Entry system.
Additionally, the Global Talent Stream (GTS) program offers a fast-track visa process for highly skilled foreign professionals in technical fields. This can be crucial for those seeking work in the technology sector.
Procedures for Employers
When a Canadian employer wants to make a job offer to a foreigner, they prepare a Formal Employment Contract or Job Offer Letter for the future foreign worker and submit it for approval to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). This document must include:
- the job title;
- job description, including main duties;
- job requirements — necessary education, skills, experience, and licenses, if applicable;
- details on start and end dates (if applicable) of the position;
- compensation details — both salary and other forms of payment;
- employer's name and address, future workplace address, and contact information for the Canadian employer's representative who can describe the job offer.
Along with verifying the job offer's authenticity, ESDC will check that the conditions offered by the Canadian company to the foreigner meet Canadian standards. After this, ESDC will approve the job offer along with a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). The LMIA proves that the employer couldn't find a suitable Canadian citizen or resident for the position. Then, IRCC will grant the future foreign worker a work permit for this specific employer.
Wage Standards and Labour Rights
ESDC checks job offer conditions to ensure they meet Canadian employment standards, including minimum wage requirements. Minimum wages vary by province: for example, in 2024, the minimum wage in Ontario is $16.55 CAD per hour, while in Alberta it's $15 CAD per hour. Employers must offer foreigners conditions that meet these standards.
Canadian labour laws are constantly updated to improve worker protection. In 2024, new laws were passed to enhance working conditions, including protection against unfair dismissals and stricter requirements for contract terms and compensation.
Working in Quebec
If the job is in Quebec, the job offer must also be approved by the Quebec government. Quebec's immigration programs have their own features, and it's important to stay updated, as significant changes have been made to hiring processes and work permit issuance in recent years.
