Canada's immigration department, IRCC, clarifies that job offers under the International Mobility Program are not reviewed until a work permit application is officially submitted. This process means employers first provide an offer of employment number, which applicants then use for their employer specific work permit application.

An immigration officer assesses the employer's offer and the work permit application together. This combined review ensures the applicant qualifies for specific Labour Market Impact Assessment exemptions and that the job offer itself is genuine.

IRCC has updated its instructions to reflect this sequence. Employers submit an offer through the Employer Portal and receive an offer of employment number, which begins with the letter A. The applicant then uses this number to apply for an employer specific work permit. The assessment of the employer's job offer by an immigration officer occurs only after the work permit application has been submitted.

Key organizations involved are IRCC and employers utilizing Canada's Employer Portal. Employers generally pay a $230 employer compliance fee. If IRCC has concerns about a job offer, employers are typically given 15 days to respond.

Specific LMIA exemption codes include C16 for Francophone Mobility, C20 for Reciprocal Employment, and C62 and C63 for Intra Company Transfers. Job classifications use TEER levels 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. Francophone Mobility requires an NCLC level of at least 5.

This process impacts applicants by requiring them to understand that an offer of employment number does not signify approval. Their work permit application triggers the job offer assessment. Employers may also be asked to provide additional evidence if IRCC has concerns about the genuineness of a job offer. Both parties must ensure consistency in job details and adherence to specific LMIA exemption requirements.

If an officer has concerns about the genuineness of a job offer, IRCC can request additional evidence from the employer, who is generally given 15 days to respond. If IRCC intends to use information unknown to the applicant for a negative decision, the applicant should generally be given an opportunity to respond.

The main takeaway is that an offer of employment number does not mean IRCC has approved a job offer. The assessment of an International Mobility Program job offer for genuineness and compliance with specific LMIA exemption requirements occurs only after the work permit application is submitted.