A Canadian employer may require an LMIA to hire a temporary foreign worker. A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document issued by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) that permits an employer to hire a foreign temporary worker to fill labour shortages in certain occupations.
Free Immigration AssessmentInternational Mobility Program (IMP)
Certain foreign nationals are permitted to work in Canada without needing an LMIA. This is possible through the International Mobility Program (IMP). This program mainly has four streams, which are listed below in detail.
1. Competitiveness And Public Policy
This stream provides LMIA-exempt work permits to those foreign nationals whose work requires limited access to Canada’s labour market. This is necessary for public policy reasons to maintain competition between Canadian institutions and the economy.
One of the unique programs that come under this stream is Post Graduate Work Program (PGWP). According to this program, an open work permit for up to 3 years is issued to an international student who has graduated from a study program at any designated learning institution. They could work under a Canadian employer even without having a job offer at the time of their application for the work permit.
A program under this stream provides an open work permit to spouses and common-law partners of full-time international students and foreign nationals who have migrated as skilled workers to Canada.
Want to know the Exemptions to LMIA Requirements?
2. Significant Benefit
This stream provides work permits without LMIA to foreign nationals who offer Canada significant cultural, social, and economic benefits. It is determined by examining their previous records of achievements, using testimonials from people in the same field of work, etc.
Entrepreneurs/Self-Employed, Intra-Company Transfers, and PNP nominees as Entrepreneurs are some of the programs within the significant benefit stream of the IMP.
3. Reciprocal Employment
The third LMIA-exempt work permit stream allows foreign workers to work in Canada when Canadians have similar work opportunities abroad. It creates or helps maintain relationships with countries around the world.
Several programs like international agreements and international exchange programs help create work opportunities between countries.
CUSMA (Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement) is a trade agreement between Canada, the US, and Mexico. Admission of foreign nationals under these agreements benefits the country.
Under International Experience Canada (IEC), foreign nationals who apply through the IMP from countries that maintain working relationships with Canada do not require an LMIA.
Read To Know : Immigration Pathways to Canada: For Tech Talent
4. Charitable And Religious Workers
This stream is for people who desire to work in Canada to carry out duties for religious or charitable organizations. They can work without an LMIA in Canada. It includes work that relieves poverty or benefits the community through education and religion.
