Work Permits
There are two types of work permit programs in Canada:
- Temporary Foreign Worker Program: A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is required for a foreign national to obtain a work permit
- International Mobility Program: An LMIA is not required for a foreign national to obtain a work permit
Other Than LMIA based work permits there are many different LMIA-exempt work permits, resulting from free trade agreements, such as the former North American Free Trade Agreement, now known as the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, or CUSMA. In addition to these employer sponsored work permits, there are a number of work permit options available to foreign workers who do not yet have a job offer, including working holidays, post-graduate work permits, and open spousal work permits. Workers who do not need an LMIA are categorized under the International Mobility Program.
These are among the common scenarios we come across daily
LMIA Required
These work permits require the employer to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment as part of the process.
LMIA Exempt
Certain circumstances allow for individuals to work in Canada without first obtaining a Labour Market Impact Assessment.
CUSMA
These are issued under the Canada-United-States-Me xico Agreement (formerly NAFTA), allowing work without an LMI
Intra-Company Transfers
These permits will allow a company to bring certain employees to Canada from its offices abroad without a LMIA
Business Visitor
In many cases, business visitors may work in Canada without a work permit, so long as they meet certain conditions and don’t enter the Canadian labour market
Post-Graduation Work Permits
After graduating from a Designated Learning Institution, international students in Canada may work for up to three years
