Hire a foreign worker without an LMIA
LMIA exemptions indicate instances where Canadian employers can hire foreign workers without an LMIA.
The International Mobility Program (IMP) is a program offered by the Government of Canada that allows Canadian employers to hire foreign workers without needing a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). The IMP is designed to help Canadian employers fill labour shortages, bring in specialised talent, and promote the exchange of knowledge and expertise between Canada and other countries. The program offers a range of work permits that are LMIA exempt.
International Agreement:
LMIA exemptions are significantly influenced by international agreements between Canada and other countries. These agreements enable the transfer of certain types of employees between Canada and partner nations, contingent upon demonstrating a positive impact. Canada has negotiated various Free Trade Agreements, each encompassing a variety of LMIA exemptions, aiming to facilitate seamless cross-border employment transitions.
Free trade agreements: NAFTA, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Korea, European Union.
Intra-Company Transfer
This allows multinational companies to transfer their employees to Canada for temporary work assignments in order to improve the quality of their business for the benefit of Canadians. The employee must have been working for the company for a certain period of time prior and have specialized knowledge or be in a senior management position.
International Experience Canada:
This type of work permit allows young people from certain countries to work and travel in Canada for up to two years. The IEC program has three categories: Working Holiday, Young Professional, and International Co-op.
Global Talent Stream:
This type of work permit allows employers in Canada to bring in highly skilled foreign workers in certain occupations without the need for an LMIA. The GTS program is intended to help companies fill high-demand positions in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
Researcher Work Permit:
This type of work permit allows foreign researchers to work in Canada temporarily to conduct research activities. The researcher must be employed by a designated research organization in Canada.
Canadian Interest Exemptions:
Another common type of LMIA exemption is within Canadian Interest exemptions. These exemptions need to show that they benefit Canada, either by helping Canadians or by maintaining reciprocal employment relationships with other countries. To qualify for an LMIA exemption under the significant benefit for Canadians category, the employment of a foreign national must provide significant social or cultural benefits to Canada. Immigration officers typically look at the foreign national's past achievements and consider recommendations from experts in their field to assess this benefit.