A PGWP holder asked whether any LMIA gives the 50 CRS job-offer points, and whether under a year with the employer disqualifies them. The thread's answers (member-sourced — verify current IRCC rules, since job-offer points rules have been revised over time):
- Not all LMIAs are equal.
- A pre-approved / generic LMIA only supports a closed work permit — it does not give CRS points.
- To claim the 50 points, your employer must file a PR-supporting LMIA with your name on it.
- Two flavors of PR-supporting LMIA. When the employer files, you choose:
- LMIA + closed work permit, tying you to the employer; or
- LMIA only, without a closed WP — the option members recommended for PGWP holders who want the points but no employment restrictions on their open permit.
- Who files it: the employer files the PR-supporting LMIA, because it requires the company's tax documents. In practice you or the employer can hire an RCIC consultant to prepare everything. You can also opt into the closed-WP version before your PGWP expires if you want to keep working for that employer beyond the PGWP.
- On the one-year wording: the requirement is that the job offer be valid for at least one year from when you become a permanent resident — members read this as being about the offer's forward duration, not about how long you've already worked there.
- Don't forget the points you earn anyway: after a year of Canadian work on your PGWP you gain Canadian-experience points on top of your Canadian-study points — LMIA or not.