LMIA

New Innovation Stream under the IMP

There are many options for foreign nationals in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) sector looking to work in Canada

Effective May 1st, Alberta is lifting restrictions on the hiring of new temporary foreign workers.

Starting August 28, visitors in Canada on a temporary visa can no longer apply for work permits from within the country. This policy, initially introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic in August 2020, aimed to assist visitors stranded due to border closures.

Canada has launched a new work permit under the Innovation Stream of the International Mobility Program (IMP), aiming to attract skilled foreign workers. This initiative is part of the Tech Talent Strategy, launched in 2023 to make Canada a global tech leader.

Canadian food services employers will be able to hire up to 30% of their workforce through the TFWP, and other changes coming for temporary foreign workers.

Starting September 26, Canada will stop processing Low-Wage Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) in some metropolitan areas with unemployment rates of 6% or higher.

Canada is starting a program called Recognized Employer Pilot (REP) to help with worker shortages. 

IRCC data show where foreign workers got jobs in Canada under the International Mobility Program last year.
Most of Canada’s foreign workers fall under the International Mobility Program (IMP). In 2021, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued more than 315,000 work permits under the IMP alone. The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) accounted for about 104,000 work permits issued.

You may be self-employed and still be eligible for Canadian immigration streams. Most economic immigration streams require proof of at least a year’s worth of work. 

The Canadian regions that could potentially see a reduction of temporary foreign workers due to Employment and Social Development Canada's (ESDC) recent policy include Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs) with an unemployment rate equal to or higher than 6%. Based on the latest data, the following CMAs are likely to be affected:

If you are working in Quebec and holding a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ), you need to have a valid work permit while you are waiting on a decision for your immigration application.

An Iranian home renovation manager's work permit was denied by the Canadian Federal Court due to her IELTS score of 5.

ESDC has expanded the Global Talent Stream to a variety of eligible engineering positions.

General Requirements for All Travelers to Canada

advertisement of job opening for at least four weeks in the Canadian job market for at least four weeks before applying for an LMIA is the first step of the work permit process.

The Significant Benefit Work Permit is a path to a work permit that does not require an LMIA.

A recent study from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business titled “Labour shortages are back with a vengeance” found that 54% of businesses could not find all the staff they need, with only 42% reporting being able to fully staff their operations.

As a producer, you may be exempt from needing a work permit whereas production crew members and actors may get an LMIA-exempt work permit.Movie and TV shoots generate jobs, revenue, and infrastructure development. As such, the Canadian government offers facilitated work permit processing for foreign film industry workers to shoot on location in Canada.

IRCC checks if the employer is actively engaged in business, verifying legal existence, operation in Canada, and stability. They review the business start date, type, number of employees, income, and main activities. New or obscure businesses get extra scrutiny.