Who can apply

If you have an offer of permanent employment from a Canadian employer, it can improve your chances of having your federal skilled worker application approved.
Depending on your circumstances, the requirements for a valid offer of employment are different.

1. If you are currently working in Canada:
   • your current employer must have made an offer to give you a permanent job if you are accepted as a federal skilled worker, and
     
   • your temporary work permit must be valid both when you apply for a permanent resident visa and when the visa is issued.
   In addition:
   • your work permit must have been confirmed by Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) through a positive labour market opinion or
     
   • you must be in a category that is exempt from an Arranged Employment Opinion
   in order for your offer of employment to be valid.
2. In all other cases:You must not be working in Canada and you either
   • do not have a valid work permit or
     
   • you have a work permit, but your circumstances are different from those described in the first example.
   In this case, the offer of employment is valid if your prospective employer
   • has made an offer to hire you on an indeterminate basis if you are accepted as a federal skilled worker, and
     
   • has obtained a positive Arranged Employment Opinion from HRSDC
   and you
   • meet all required Canadian licensing or regulatory standards associated with the job