Eligibility Guidance

We provide initial eligibility screening and strategy consultations for Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), work permits, family sponsorships, student and visitor routes, business/investor streams, and other immigration pathways.

Below is how you start, what we review in an eligibility guidance session, what you should bring/upload for reliable points calculations, and the next steps if you decide to retain us.

How to start

• Free online assessment (usual first step): Complete our free assessment form to give us the basic facts we need to screen your case. We use it to decide whether you are likely eligible for Express Entry, a PNP stream, or other pathways—and whether you need a deeper paid consultation.
• Contact channels:

- Phone: 416-733-3193 or 416-733-3737

- Toll-free (U.S.): 1-888-VISA(8472)-078

- Email: canada@moyal.com

- Contact form: You can also use the contact form on our website to send preliminary information.

What an eligibility guidance session covers

In an eligibility guidance consultation, we will:

• Confirm which class(es) you may qualify for (e.g., Express Entry / Federal Skilled Worker / Canadian Experience Class / PNP stream / family route / student or work permit).
• Translate your education, work experience, age, and language test results into a CRS-style points estimate for Express Entry, and explain how each component affects your ranking.
• Explain language test expectations and how to convert your language results to Canadian points ranges.
• Review your work experience and advise on documentation or third-party validation typically required to support experience claims.
• Identify if you have stronger options through a provincial nominee program or an employer-driven work permit route.
• Outline next steps and typical timelines for the route(s) we recommend.

What we do not do in an initial screening

During the eligibility check itself, we do not submit applications on your behalf. If you want application preparation or filing after the assessment, we will outline the scope, pricing, and timeline for those services separately.

Typical customer flow (what you will do)

1. Complete the free online assessment on our site so we can pre-screen basic eligibility.
2. If the free assessment indicates potential eligibility, we will invite you to schedule a consultation for a detailed review and points calculation.
3. During the consultation, we review documents you upload or bring and provide a recommended pathway and a checklist of evidence you will need to support an application.
4. If you instruct us to prepare an application, we will provide a written engagement letter with scope, fees, and timelines.

Express Entry overview (how the system works)

Express Entry is an online system used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to manage applications for permanent residence under certain economic immigration programs.

At a high level, Express Entry typically works like this:

1. Confirm you qualify for an Express Entry-managed program.
2. Create an Express Entry profile and enter the candidate pool.
3. Receive a ranking score (CRS-style points) based on your profile.
4. IRCC issues Invitations to Apply (ITAs) during rounds of invitations.
5. If you receive an ITA, you submit a permanent residence application with supporting documents.
6. IRCC processes the application and issues a decision.

Rounds of invitations and ranking

• Candidates in the pool are ranked against each other using a points system (commonly referred to as CRS points).
• IRCC conducts rounds of invitations and invites the highest-ranked candidates (or candidates who meet the round’s criteria).

Category-based Express Entry rounds (targeted draws)

IRCC may conduct category-based rounds of invitations that target candidates in the Express Entry pool whose occupation is in demand, even when their CRS score is lower than typical general draws.

To be eligible for an invitation through a category-based round, you must meet all requirements listed in the instructions for that round. IRCC then ranks the candidates in the pool who meet the category requirements and invites the top-ranking candidates to apply for permanent residence.

For 2023, IRCC selected the following in-demand categories:

• French-language proficiency
• Healthcare occupations
• Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations
• Trade occupations
• Transport occupations
• Agriculture and agri-food occupations

Express Entry high-wage occupations (effective November 3, 2026)

We receive questions about what IRCC calls “high-wage occupations” in the Express Entry system.

What is a high-wage occupation under Express Entry

Under Express Entry, a job is considered a high-wage occupation if the median wage of all people in Canada performing that job is at least 1.3 times higher than the average median wage of the overall Canadian workforce.

This is based on all people in Canada working under the same National Occupational Classification (NOC). It is not determined based on a person’s specific job position or salary.

High-wage occupations are grouped into 3 levels using NOC codes where the median wage is at least:

• Twice the average median wage
• 1.5 times, but less than twice, the average median wage
• 1.3 times, but less than 1.5 times, the average median wage

How high-wage occupation levels are determined

IRCC uses data from these sources over the last 3 years to determine the high-wage occupation level for each job:

• The Job Bank
• The Labour Force Survey
• The Census of Population

For each NOC, its high-wage occupation level is determined based on the highest level its median wage met in the last 3 years.

What happens if the high-wage list is updated after you receive an ITA

If the high-wage occupation list changes after IRCC issues an Invitation to Apply (ITA), IRCC keeps using the level that applied on the date they invited you.

This applies if a job:

• Moves levels on the list
• Is removed from the list
• Is added to the list

Express Entry high-wage occupations list

This list comes into effect on November 3, 2026. The list is based on data from 2023 to 2025.

NOCs with a median wage at least twice the average median wage

NOCs with a median wage at least 1.5 times, but less than twice, the average median wage

NOCs with a median wage at least 1.3 times, but less than 1.5 times, the average median wage

Express Entry CRS update: removal of job-offer points (effective March 25, 2025)

Effective March 25, 2025, IRCC is implementing changes to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) for both current candidates in the Express Entry pool and future applicants.

What is changing

CRS points for qualifying job offers (arranged employment) are removed. Previously, job-offer points could be awarded as follows:

• 200 points: job offers in occupations classified under Major Group 00 of the National Occupation Classification (NOC) matrix (for example, senior management positions)
• 50 points: job offers in any other skilled occupations

Who is affected

• If your Express Entry profile currently includes a qualifying job offer: the additional CRS points associated with this factor will be removed.
• If you do not currently have a qualifying job offer: you will no longer be able to gain additional CRS points for this factor as of March 25, 2025.

Timing (when you will see the change)

Although the change takes effect on March 25, 2025, it may take a few days for your CRS points to be updated accordingly in your Express Entry profile.

What does not change

• This change does not affect your eligibility to remain in the Express Entry pool.
• No action is required on your part.
• If you have an active Invitation To Apply (ITA) that has not expired or been declined, you are not affected by this change and will remain eligible for that specific round of invitation.

Express Entry job offers (arranged employment) update effective November 3, 2026

We are seeing questions about how job offers will be assessed under Express Entry as of November 3, 2026. Below is general information to help you understand the change and what you may need to do in your profile.

What is changing on November 3, 2026

As of November 3, 2026, IRCC is changing how it assesses job offers under Express Entry:

• A job offer can qualify even if you do not have a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
• Having an LMIA does not provide extra CRS points or profile priority.
• Job offers may be for an existing position or a new position, and may be with any employer.
• Officers will assess whether the job offer is genuine.

If you have a job offer that is not included in your Express Entry profile, you should update the profile before November 3, 2026.

Timing note (profile recalculation and invitations)

When the change takes effect, the system will recalculate existing profiles. This process may take up to two weeks. During that recalculation period, invitation rounds may be paused and then restarted once the recalculation is complete.

How to update your Express Entry profile if you have a job offer without an LMIA

As of November 3, 2026, IRCC indicates that the profile system may still require you to select that you have a positive LMIA, even if you do not need one for the job offer to qualify.

If you are updating a job offer in your profile under Work history, the following entries may be required in the LMIA fields:

If you have a new job offer (offer of arranged employment), information to update in your secure account profile may include:

• Start date
• Employer name and address
• LMIA number (if you have one)
• National Occupational Classification (NOC) code related to the job

Basics of what a job offer must include

In general, a job offer should:

• Be recent
• Be in writing
• Not be from an embassy, high commission, or consulate in Canada
• Set out details of the job being offered, such as:

- Pay and deductions

- Duties

- Conditions of employment (for example, hours of work)

A work permit by itself is not a job offer, including an open work permit.

If you do not have a valid job offer

If you do not have a valid job offer, you may need to provide proof of funds to be approved.

Examples of criteria for a valid Express Entry job offer

A valid job offer generally needs to be:

• From 1 employer
• Continuous
• Paid
• Full-time (at least 30 hours per week)
• Not seasonal
• For at least 1 year after you become a permanent resident
• In a NOC TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3

Who needs an LMIA in most cases

In many cases, an employer needs an LMIA to support a job offer for Express Entry. The employer is responsible for obtaining the LMIA when one is required.

An employer may need a new LMIA if:

• You do not already have a work permit
• Your work permit has expired
• You are working on an open work permit
• You have a job offer from an employer that is not listed on your work permit

Two examples of situations where the employer may not need a new LMIA are:

• You have already been working full-time (or an equal amount of part-time) for the employer with a work permit based on an LMIA, and you have a valid job offer
• Your job is in a category that is exempt from needing an LMIA

Ability to do the work and licensing

You may need to satisfy an officer that you:

• Are capable of doing the work you are offered
• Are likely to qualify to be licensed or certified by the relevant regulatory body once you are in Canada (if the job is regulated)

Licensing and certification rules vary by province and territory.

General information notice

The above information is general information only and is not intended to act as a legal document. If you want legal advice on how this affects your profile, your job offer, or your strategy, we can review the job offer and your supporting documents in a paid consultation.

Spouse open work permits (two common options)

A common question we receive is how to obtain a work permit for a spouse. In addition to normal work-permit requirements, there are programs that may allow a spouse to obtain an open work permit that does not require a job offer and is LMIA-exempt.

Option 1: SCLPC open work permit pilot (exemption code A74)

Under this program, a spouse may be issued an open work permit if they are an applicant in the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada (SCLPC) class prior to first-stage approval.

Under this pilot program, applicants may apply for an open work permit with, or any time after, the submission of their permanent residence application in the SCLPC class.

Eligibility (A74)

Officers will issue open work permits to SCLPC class applicants if they meet the following requirements:

• A complete permanent residence application has been submitted under the SCLPC class and is currently being processed, or has been received by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for processing.
• A Canadian citizen or permanent resident spouse has submitted a sponsorship application on their behalf.
• The SCLPC class applicant resides at the same address as the sponsor.
• The SCLPC class applicant has valid temporary resident status, or their application for restoration of status with authorization to work has been received and the officer is satisfied that the SCLPC class applicant is eligible for restoration.

Who does not qualify (A74)

The following do not qualify for an open work permit under this program:

• Applicants who have applied for permanent residence under the SCLPC class and have been refused, or have withdrawn that application, before submitting the open work permit pilot application.
• Applicants whose application for permanent residence is being processed under the spousal public policy (subcategory “PP” in the Global Case Management System (GCMS)) on the basis that they do not have a valid temporary resident status. (These applicants must wait until they receive approval in principle to be eligible to apply for an open work permit.)
• Applicants who have applied as members of the overseas family class, including those living in Canada.
• Applicants applying for the work permit pilot program at a port of entry.

Option 2: Public policy (starting January 30, 2023)

Starting January 30, 2023, spouses and dependent children of most work permit holders at all skill levels may be issued open work permits.

Eligibility (public policy)

To be eligible for an open work permit, you must be a spouse, common-law partner, or dependent child of:

• A work permit holder who:

- works in a job of any Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) category (0 to 5), or

- is the principal applicant and has an open work permit (for example, post-graduation work permit holders at all skill levels)

• An economic-class permanent residence applicant who holds a work permit

Who is not eligible (public policy)

The following are not eligible:

• Spouses and dependents of workers in a TEER 4 or 5 job under the low-wage stream of the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program and the Agricultural Stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

General information notice

The above information is general advice only and is not intended to act as a legal document.

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) — overview

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) are immigration programs run by Canadian provinces and territories. Through a PNP, a province/territory can nominate candidates for permanent residence based on that province/territory’s economic and labour-market needs.

How PNPs generally work

At a high level, the process typically looks like this:

1. You apply to a province or territory (or you receive an invitation from a province/territory under one of its streams).
2. If the province/territory approves you, you receive a nomination.
3. You apply for permanent residence to the federal government (IRCC).

PNP streams and Express Entry

PNP streams are often organized into two broad categories:

• Express Entry–aligned streams (enhanced nominations): If your nomination is linked to Express Entry, you may be able to apply through Express Entry.
• Non–Express Entry streams (base nominations): If your nomination is not linked to Express Entry, you typically apply to IRCC through a separate (non–Express Entry) process.

Provinces/territories with PNPs

Most provinces and territories run nominee programs. (Quebec has its own immigration programs and is not part of the PNP system in the same way.)

eTA eligibility expansion for certain countries (including the Philippines)

IRCC announced the addition of 13 countries to Canada’s electronic travel authorization (eTA) program. The Philippines is one of the countries included.

What this means (air travel)

If you are travelling to Canada by air, eligible travellers from these countries may no longer need to apply for a TRV (Temporary Resident Visa) / visitor visa. Instead, they can apply online for an eTA and pay the $7 fee.

Key eligibility condition

To qualify under this eTA change, the traveller must:

• have held a Canadian visa in the last 10 years, or
• currently hold a valid United States non-immigrant visa.

Countries included

Eligible travellers from the following countries can benefit from the program:

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Argentina
• Costa Rica
• Morocco
• Panama
• Philippines
• St. Kitts and Nevis
• St. Lucia
• St. Vincent and the Grenadines
• Seychelles
• Thailand
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Uruguay

If you already have a valid Canadian visa

If you already have a valid Canadian visa, you can continue to use it to travel to Canada.

Who still needs a visitor visa / TRV

You will still need a visitor visa / TRV if:

• you are not eligible for an eTA under the above condition, or
• you are travelling to Canada by a means other than air (for example, by car, bus, train, boat, or cruise ship).

Biometrics reuse (TR vs PR)

Biometrics reuse rules can affect timing and next steps for temporary-resident and permanent-resident applications.

Background

The reuse of biometrics was first implemented with the bio expansion in 2018, where biometrics collected under the temporary resident (TR) stream would be valid for 10 years and reused for subsequent TR applications.

Standard rules (outside of pandemic measures)

• TR stream: You are required to provide biometrics if you are applying for the first time, or if you provided biometrics more than 10 years ago. Biometrics collected in support of a TR application are valid for a 10-year period.
• PR stream: You are required to provide biometrics in support of any PR application, regardless of whether biometrics were previously collected and are still valid. Biometrics collected in support of a PR application remain valid until that PR application is finalized and closed.

Reuse scenarios

• TR → TR: TR biometrics that are still valid can be reused for subsequent TR applications.
• TR → PR: TR biometrics cannot be reused for a PR application.
• PR → TR: PR biometrics can be reused for a TR application as long as the PR application remains open.
• PR → PR: PR biometrics cannot be reused for subsequent PR applications.

General information notice

The above information is general advice only and is not intended to act as a legal document.

What we need from you for a reliable points calculation

Bring or upload copies of the following when you request a detailed consultation:

• Passport biographic page(s) and current status documents (if in Canada)
• Education credentials (degrees, diplomas) and, when applicable, an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) or transcript details
• Detailed work history (employer names, job titles, duties, start/end dates) and any letters of reference or pay stubs you have
• Language test scores (IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, or other) or test booking confirmation
• Proof of spouse/common-law partner details if you want a spouse-included points calculation

If you have the above documents available when you book, we can usually provide a more accurate CRS-style estimate during the consultation.

Operational details you can act on now

• Free online assessment: https://moyal.com/free-assessment/
• Head office address: 7 Hendon Ave, Toronto, Ontario M2M 4G8
• Email: canada@moyal.com
• Phone: 416-733-3193 / 416-733-3737
• Toll-free (U.S.): 1-888-VISA(8472)-078

Deliverables and follow-ups

• After a detailed consultation, we will summarize the recommended pathway and the documents you need.
• If you engage us for preparation and filing, we provide a written engagement letter that lists services, fees, and estimated timelines.

Our approach

We review each case with an eye to choosing the pathway that best fits your qualifications and timeline. Use the free assessment to give us a clear starting point; after that we will invite you to a tailored consultation for a precise points calculation and a documented strategy.