Can I Immigrate to Canada if I Do Not Have a Job Offer?

There are umteen reasons why people choose to migrate to Canada. The country embraces multiculturalism and immigrants. It is one of the world’s most inclusive countries, with a thriving economy to boot. People move to Canada to adopt a good lifestyle in a safe and secure place, grab opportunities and benefits, and enjoy world-class facilities at school or work.

When the thought of migrating to Canada comes to mind, people have a common question- “Can I migrate to Canada without a job offer?”

Although having a job offer could help, it is possible to migrate to Canada without a job offer. Popular immigration programs are known as “Express Entry”; they can help you immigrate without a job offer. It is a point-based system. It accommodates applicants that are seeking PR, i.e., Permanent Residence in Canada. Here are a few Express Entry Streams that will help you migrate to Canada without a valid job offer:

• FSWP – Federal Skilled Worker Program
• FSTP – Federal Skilled Trades Program
• CEC – Canadian Experience Class Program

This point-based system invites eligible candidates who secure the highest points out of 1200 to apply to the Express Entry pool. Having a job offer helps increase your CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) score.

If your migration plan involves going to Canada through either of the two programs- the FSTP or the FSWP, you will probably need a valid job offer. If you plan to move and settle in Canada with your family and lack the required funds to support you and your family, you will need a job offer.

The CEC, i.e., The Canadian Experience Class, has a somewhat limited appeal. In this, an applicant needs to have at least 12 months of full-time (or an equal amount in part-time) skilled work experience in Canada in the three years before you apply.

Express Entry applicants will require adequate work and education experience. The applicant must have good language and communication skills. Most applicants may not need a job offer on their files.

In the year 2016, the Canadian government made amends to the Express Entry system. One of the changes reduced the importance of having a Canadian job offer to enhance the applicant’s CRS score. Before November 2016, having a job offer would automatically add 600 points to the application. This guaranteed an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

The amendment declared that job offers no longer hold significant weight in the system. Today, if you receive a Canadian job offer- all you get is an additional 50 points. In case your job is in a senior managerial position, you will be awarded additional 200 points.

Best Options to Migrate to Canada Without a Job Offer:

1. Provincial Nominee Programs Canada

Through the PNP pathway, you can move to Canada without a job offer. The Provincial Nominee Programs do not require a job offer from an employer in the province. Excluding Nunavut and Quebec, other provinces and territories in Canada are a part of the PNP. Among the two, Nunavut does not have a provincial nomination system. In comparison, Quebec has an exclusive program of its own for the induction of immigrants.

Here’s a smooth and accessible way to move and settle in Canada. The Provincial Nominee Program allows Canadian provinces and territories to nominate individuals for a Canadian Permanent Residency. However, the PNP Program is different and separate from the Express Entry Program. It offers an additional 600 CRS points to applicants holding a select PNP when entering the Express Entry pool. In several cases, PNP programs have sent letters of interest to applicants with CRS scores under 400.

The PNP program encourages skilled international talent in provinces in Canada that are facing a shortage. So if you are an experienced professional with experience in technology, finance, education, marketing, or healthcare, you can explore opportunities in Canada through this PNP program.

The eligibility criteria for the PNP program vary according to the different provinces. The provinces induct immigrants to various ‘streams’. Now, what are streams? Immigration programs target a particular group of people into streams. Program streams could be specifically aimed at business people, semi-skilled workers, students, or even skilled workers.

Immigration programs under Provincial Nominee Programs Canada are designed exclusively. They are structured to adjust the existing gap in the labor force of the province or territory.

They are two ways you can apply through the PNP Program:

1. Paper-based process
2. Expert Entry

The paper-based process involves submitting a paper application for the PR visa. However, the first step is to apply to the province or territory for nomination under the non-express entry stream. If you meet the eligibility criteria and qualify through the process, you will get a nomination from the province. Only then can you apply for a Canadian PR Visa. The processing time is naturally longer.

For the Express Entry system, you can apply for nomination by directly contacting the province or territory. You may create an Express Entry profile or update an existing profile when you receive a positive response. The other option is to first create an Express Entry profile and indicating your province of interest. You can contact them and apply once you receive a notification of interest from them.

Also Read: How To Achieve Immigration Success During The Pandemic?

If you successfully get a provincial nomination, you will be awarded 600 additional points. This will enhance your total CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) score. For instance, if your application or profile is in the Express Entry Pool. There, your CRS is 400. When you achieve the provincial nomination, your CRS score shoots up to 1000! (Entry pool score+Provincial nomination)

The additional 600 points make a huge difference to your application. The chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) become almost 100%. You will then be very close to being provincially nominated for Canadian Permanent Residency in the next draw.

2. Canadian Investor Program

Here’s another way you can migrate to Canada without a job offer. It’s the Canadian Investor Program category. Depending upon your net worth and business experiences, you could qualify for immigration without a job offer.

To conclude,

It is possible to migrate to Canada without a job offer. There are multiple ways to apply and receive an invitation. A valid job offer will, of course, help you secure additional points. However, you are eligible to apply for immigration without a job offer.