FAQs: Canadian Job Offer Letter

If you want to work in Canada then you’ll most likely need a Canadian job offer letter as it’s one of the required documents for your work visa application. Canada readily welcomes foreign workers to help fill ongoing skills shortages and to transfer important skills to the Canadian workforce.

Approximately 159,030 foreign nationals have already been issued Canada work visas in 2021 through the International Mobility Program (IMP). Are you interested in working in Canada? We answer your most frequently asked questions about the Canada job offer letter below.

5 FAQs: Canada Job Offer Letter

1. What is a Canada job offer letter?

A Canada job offer letter or employment letter is a letter that a Canadian employer gives a foreign worker in order to work in Canada. The letter explains the details of your job but is less detailed than an employment contract. The letter will include information about your pay and deductions, your job duties, and conditions of employment such as work hours.

2. What is the difference between an offer of employment and a job offer letter?

An offer of employment is not the same as a job offer letter.

Offer of employment

A foreign worker who doesn’t need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to apply for a work permit in Canada won’t need to submit a job offer letter either. However, the employer who wishes to hire you must submit an offer of employment in the Employer Portal. This generates an offer of employment number that you’ll need instead of a job offer letter when applying for your work visa.

An offer of employment is a more detailed letter that follows a similar structure to that of an official contract between the Canadian company and the foreign worker they intend to hire. An offer of employment must include information about:

• the business/company;
• the foreign worker intended for the position;
• the job details; and
• wage and benefits

Job offer letter

On the other hand, if you need an LMIA to apply for your Canadian work permit then you’ll also need a job offer letter to apply for your work visa.

3. How to get a job offer letter in Canada?

Foreign workers have several ways to apply for a Canadian job offer. Firstly, it is possible to apply directly to any company based in Canada through online platforms or directly on their websites. Secondly, job portals like the Canadian Job Bank and Indeed Canada offer a wide selection of job posts. Most of them are free to access but you also can enlist the help of a recruitment agency to help you with your job search.

On the other hand, Canada offers different programs for in-demand foreign workers. One of the most popular is the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The PNPs allow provinces and territories to request specific job skills according to their needs.

4. How to verify a Canadian job offer letter?

With the increase of job offers, scams in the form of fake job offers also started to appear. And applicants must be aware and vigilant to catch them before starting their visa application and travel arrangements. The biggest red flag to look out for is any mention of payment to secure the job or to receive mandatory training.

5. What should a Canadian job offer look like?

See below for the general layout of a job offer letter:

Company logo

For professionalism and authenticity, the job offer letter must have the company’s official letterhead with a high-resolution image of the company logo.

Date and contact information

In the upper left-hand corner, you’ll typically find the date, the candidate’s first and last name, and their address.

Greeting/opening line

A job offer letter will start by addressing the employee and stating the job position being offered.

Job details

A Canadian job offer letter must include specifics about the position, as well as work logistics. This should include the formal title of the position, the anticipated start date, full or part-time status, the office location, work hours and the applicant’s direct manager/supervisor, and a brief description of the role and its responsibilities.

Compensation

The letter must explain the compensation package including specific details about how much the candidate will be paid on an annual, monthly, or hourly basis. The payment date and available payment method should also be included in addition to deductions and bonus or commission structures applicable to the role.

Employment Conditions

The letter must state whether the job offer is contingent on the candidate meeting certain targets (KPIs) or completing certain tasks.

How to Apply for a Canadian Work Permit

A job offer letter is only one of a few documents required for your work visa application. As soon as you’ve collected the rest of the required documents (see below) then you’re ready to submit your application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). If you plan to apply for a work permit from outside of Canada then the following requirements will apply to you:

What do you need for your work visa application

• Job offer letter from your prospective employer;
• Proof indicating you meet the requirements of the job being offered;
• A photocopy of the information page of your valid passport or travel document;
• Two ID size photos or you may be asked to give your biometrics;
• Photocopy of your Marriage License/Certificate;
• A copy of the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA); or
• An Offer of Employment number to a Foreign National Exempt from a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)

What are the different types of Canada work permits?

There are two types of work permits available; an open work permit and an employer-specific work permit. An open work permit does not require a valid job offer but is less commonly issued under specific conditions. One popular program is the International Experience Canada (IEC) through which open work permits are issued. These permits are also exempt from the LMIA requirement.

An employer-specific work permit is more commonly issued under both the International Mobility Program (IMP) and the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). The permit restricts foreign workers to work for one employer in a specific province and city.

Digital Visa Dashboard: Apply for Your Work Visa With Ease

Your most pressing questions are asked and answered to help get you closer to working in Canada with a valid job offer! Already got your Canadian job offer letter? Take the next step and apply for your work visa with ease by using our Digital Visa Dashboard.

Our affiliated visa consultants provide you with a document checklist and government forms to fill out plus a full verification of all documents to ensure that your visa application is fully optimized for success.