Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
IRCC states: "If you determine that you need an LMIA, you’ll need to hire through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program."
IRCC also states: "A positive LMIA confirms that"
- "no Canadians or permanent residents are available to do the job"
- "there is a need for a temporary foreign worker"
(IRCC, Find out if you need a labour market impact assessment)
International Mobility Program (IMP)
IRCC states that the International Mobility Program "lets you hire temporary foreign workers without a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)" (IRCC, Hire through the International Mobility Program).
IRCC states: "In most cases, to hire a temporary worker through the International Mobility Program, you must" "create and submit an offer of employment form through the Employer Portal" (IRCC, Hire through the IMP). Fees are published by IRCC and updated regularly.
Check whether an LMIA is needed
IRCC states: "Most employers need an LMIA before they can hire a temporary foreign worker." "You can hire without an LMIA through the International Mobility Program." (IRCC, Find out if you need a labour market impact assessment) The LMIA fee is published by ESDC and updated regularly.
Workers Who Don't Need an LMIA
IRCC states: "Under the International Mobility Program (IMP), you can hire a temporary foreign worker without a labour market impact assessment (LMIA)." Examples from IRCC's list (IRCC, Who you can hire):
Workers with a work permit exemption
- • "highly skilled workers and researchers (Global Skills Strategy)"
- • "performers"
- • "full-time international students"
Workers who have an open work permit
- • "permanent residence applicants with a bridging open work permit"
- • "post-graduation work permit holders"
- • "spouses or common-law partners of international students"
- • "applicants in the Working Holiday category of International Experience Canada (IEC)"
Workers eligible for an employer-specific work permit (LMIA-exempt)
- • "French-speaking workers outside Quebec"
- • "Global Skills Strategy applicants (if the job is LMIA-exempt)"
- • "workers under a free trade agreement"
Work Permit Services
Open Work Permit
Open work permits and the categories IRCC lists.
Review detailsEmployer-Specific Work Permit
LMIA-based and LMIA-exempt employer-specific permits.
Review detailsCaregiver Work Permit
Work permits for caregivers.
Review detailsLMIA Applications
Labour Market Impact Assessments for employers.
Review detailsGlobal Talent Stream
ESDC’s Global Talent Stream.
Review detailsBusiness Visitor Visa
Business visitors under IRPR s. 186(a) and 187.
Review details