Many skilled workers make the mistake of thinking that failure to get a job in Canada means their dream of working and settling in Canada is over. Getting a job is certainly a long-term requirement to have a stable and settled life in Canada.

However, it’s completely wrong to say that Canada immigration is impossible unless you have a job offer in hand. There are many options available to skilled workers where absence of a job offer in Canada does not affect your prospects of getting an Invitation to Apply.

All Skilled Worker Immigration Programs Under Express Entry

Express Entry is an application system for the three federal programs and all EE-streams of Provincial Nomination Programs for skilled workers. Not having a job offer is not a big negative because a Canadian job is not a mandatory requirement under any program covered by Express Entry.

Your chances of getting an Invitation to Apply in an Express Entry draw depends on your CRS score. Your CRS score is calculated on the basis of multiple factors including your age, your educational qualifications, your work experience—Canadian and foreign, language proficiency, and other adaptability factors.

A Canadian job offer can boost your CRS score by 50 to 200 points, which can definitely improve your chances of getting an ITA. However, learning a second language and boosting your language proficiency scores or combining foreign experience with second language proficiency too can help boost your scores.

If you analyze the CRS score grid, then you will see many opportunities to boost your score by either getting an advanced degree or boosting your language skills or by focusing on the adaptability aspects of skilled worker immigration.

If you get an ITA, then you can move to Canada and become a permanent resident as long as you have enough settlement funds. Searching for a job after you have become a PR can be a lot easier.

Practically speaking, moving to Canada without a job will be tough, but it is not impossible. So, not finding a job should never be a reason for you to conclude that your Canada immigration dream is over.

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LMIA-Exempt Work Permits

One reason why people struggle to find jobs in Canada is that employers don’t want to put in the time, effort, and money required to get an approved Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

LMIA is mandatory for all TFWP applicants. However, there is no LMIA requirement for the International Mobility Program. One work permit option under the IMP that you can consider is the Mobilité francophone work permit.

Any skilled worker with high proficiency in French can qualify for this work permit. Combining such strategies to get a job and qualify for work permit with the no-job-required immigration program will boost your chances of quickly moving to Canada.

Intra-Company Transfer Work Permit

Who says you need to find a job with a Canadian employer to work and live in Canada? If your existing employer plans on expanding into Canada, then you can easily get an Intra-Company Transfer work permit under the IMP.

Like other IMP work permits, there is no LMIA required for this work permit as well. Once you enter Canada and work here for one year, then you can apply for permanent residence based on your Canadian experience.

This means you can make your Canadian dream come true by focusing on the right employer on your country who is keen on expanding into a developed market like Canada.

As you can see, there are so many options for somebody without a Canadian job offer in hand to enter and live in the country. If none of these options work, then you consider something like becoming an entrepreneur to move to Canada through its numerous PNP business immigration streams or through the Startup visa program.

Or if you can afford the break in your work, then consider coming to Canada for a degree. An advanced degree will boost your CV while the Canadian experience will give you time to build your professional network and explore good job options suited to your career.

The job-work permit-immigrate route is a great way to move to Canada but don’t make the mistake of treating it as the only option. Consider working with an immigration professional for better understanding of all the job and no-job options available for skilled workers like you.