Work Permit
Many foreign workers temporarily come to work in Canada each year, to advance their knowledge, skills, experience and career opportunities. Others might fall in love with this beautiful country and successfully obtain their permanent residency after their work permit expires.
LMIA Required Work Permits
Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is usually required when hiring a foreign worker. Canadian employers need to get an LMIA to prove that hiring a foreign worker will not have a negative impact on Canada’s labour market. Before recruiting a foreign worker, a Canadian business may be required to get a (LMIA). A positive LMIA will demonstrate that a foreign worker is required to fill the position. Additionally, it will show that no Canadian citizen or permanent resident is qualified for the position.
LMIA Exempt Work Permits
There are many programs that allow international employees to obtain a work permit without an LMIA. Some of the most common LMIA-exempt permits are as follows.
1. International Trade Agreements
The most common trade agreement that brings foreign workers to Canada is the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). In addition to supporting the entry of business visitors, intra-company transferees, and investors, there is a list of professionals who can obtain a work permit with a Canadian employer without an LMIA. Other trade agreements that support the entry of foreign workers are the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), Canada-Peru, Canada-Chile, Canada-Colombia, and Canada-Korea international trade agreements.
2. Intra-Company Transferee
The Intra-company Transferee category permits foreign businesses to temporarily transfer qualified worker to Canada in order to boost Canadian entities’ competitiveness in international markets, increase executive effectiveness and grow Canadian exports.If you are currently employed by a multinational corporation and wish to enter Canada in order to work for one of that company’s parent, subsidiaries, branches, or affiliates, the Intra-Company Transferee program may be the best choice for you. Intra-Company transferees must have a work permit, which can be renewed for another year. Employees who are transferred inside the same company are excluded from obtaining the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
3. International Experience Canada
Under this program, foreign nationals from certain countries between the ages of 18 and 35 are permitted to visit and work in Canada for a maximum of two years. Working Holiday, Young Professionals, and Co-op Work Permit are the three subcategories of IEC Work Permit.
4. Accompanying Spouse Work Permit
It may be possible for a common-law partner or spouse to receive an open work permit that is valid for the same period as the other spouse’s study or work permit when they accompany a worker or student to Canada.
5. Student Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP)
Students can receive an open work permit through the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Program after graduating from qualifying Canada Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) and gain meaningful Canadian work experience. Depending on how long their study program was, post-secondary graduates are permitted to work for up to three years with a post-graduation work permit.
