What is a job offer letter?

A job offer letter is a document that a Canadian employer gives you (as a temporary worker). It explains the details of your job.

Generally, a job offer letter (or “employment letter”) is less detailed than a contract.

The letter includes information about:

• your pay and deductions from your pay
• your job duties
• conditions of employment, such as hours of work

If you need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), include a copy of your job offer letter with your work permit application.

An “offer of employment” is not the same as a “job offer letter”. If your employer doesn’t need an LMIA to hire you for the job, they need to submit the offer of employment in the Employer Portal. Once submitted, the portal generates an offer of employment number that you need when you apply for your work permit.

Employer compliance exemptions

Some LMIA-exempt employers don’t need to submit an offer of employment and won’t have an offer of employment number for you. Find out how to get a work permit for these jobs.