Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
There are two ways through which an employer can hire a foreign worker; Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and International Mobility Program (IMP).
Temporary Foreign Worker Program : LMIA required
To hire a foreign worker an employer must first obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document issued by the Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) which verifies that the job offered to a foreign national could not be filled by a Canadian worker. So, in most cases, if a Canadian employer wants to hire a temporary foreign worker, they have to apply for an LMIA first and receive a positive decision.
A standard LMIA processing time usually takes about three to four months. Once it is approved, a positive LMIA allows the foreign worker to apply for a work permit.
To apply for a LMIA sponsored work permit, a worker needs:
* A positive LMIA does not allow a foreign worker to change their job, location or employer because the approval was based on those specific factors. In case any of these condition changes, the worker might have to seek for a new LMIA with the change in conditions.
The International Mobility Program (IMP) LMIA Not Required:
The International Mobility Program allows employers to hire temporary foreign workers without an LMIA. Under the IMP some categories of foreign workers are exempted from getting an approved LMIA before being hired by a Canadian Employer. These exemptions are based on a broader economic, cultural or competitive advantages for Canada and the reciprocal benefits enjoyed by Canadians and permanent residents
To qualify under the IMWU the applicant must be located outside Canada and a national of a visa exempt country.
The International Mobility Worker Unit (IMWU) has the authority to decide if the foreign worker falls under any of the exempted categories. Click here for more info on visa exempt countries
There are two ways through which an employer can hire a foreign worker; Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and International Mobility Program (IMP).
Temporary Foreign Worker Program : LMIA required
To hire a foreign worker an employer must first obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document issued by the Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) which verifies that the job offered to a foreign national could not be filled by a Canadian worker. So, in most cases, if a Canadian employer wants to hire a temporary foreign worker, they have to apply for an LMIA first and receive a positive decision.
A standard LMIA processing time usually takes about three to four months. Once it is approved, a positive LMIA allows the foreign worker to apply for a work permit.
To apply for a LMIA sponsored work permit, a worker needs:
- A job offer letter
- Details of the employment
- A copy of the LMIA, and
- The LMIA number
* A positive LMIA does not allow a foreign worker to change their job, location or employer because the approval was based on those specific factors. In case any of these condition changes, the worker might have to seek for a new LMIA with the change in conditions.
The International Mobility Program (IMP) LMIA Not Required:
The International Mobility Program allows employers to hire temporary foreign workers without an LMIA. Under the IMP some categories of foreign workers are exempted from getting an approved LMIA before being hired by a Canadian Employer. These exemptions are based on a broader economic, cultural or competitive advantages for Canada and the reciprocal benefits enjoyed by Canadians and permanent residents
To qualify under the IMWU the applicant must be located outside Canada and a national of a visa exempt country.
The International Mobility Worker Unit (IMWU) has the authority to decide if the foreign worker falls under any of the exempted categories. Click here for more info on visa exempt countries
