LMIA And Work Permit

Work Permit in Canada.

There are four basic steps to getting a Temporary Work Permit in Canada:

    1. In most cases Employer needs to apply for Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to Service Canada;
    2. Employer extends temporary job offer to foreign workers;
    3. Foreign skilled worker applies for work permit to IRCC;
    4. Work permit is issued.

In order to work in Canada on a temporary basis, foreign skilled workers must have a temporary offer of employment from a Canadian employer and Canadian employer must be granted a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) by Employment and Social Development Canada (Service Canada).

Getting a positive LMIA is an important step in obtaining a temporary work permit (TWP) in Canada. It must be properly filed with Employment and Social Development Canada, certifying that a business can hire a temporary worker.

An LMIA verifies that there is a need for a temporary worker and that no Canadian applicants are available to do the job, giving priority to Canadian residents over foreign nationals. An Employer hiring a temporary worker through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) needs to apply for an LMIA and pay the required fee.

LMIAs are issued specifically based on the company that applied for it, as well as the job position that they used. If a work permit for a foreign worker has been issued based on it, the worker cannot work in any other occupation or relocate.

TIM’S Immigration has a high success rate in obtaining an LMIA. We help Canadian employers to choose the right strategy based on experience and knowledge is vital for an approved LMIA. 
While assessing a company for an LMIA, we take into consideration the latest changes in immigration law to minimize the chances of getting a negative result.

Once Canadian employer receives a positive LMIA, the application for the Work Permit must be submitted to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada. If the visa officer is satisfied that the foreign worker’s employment will not adversely affect employment in Canada for Canadians and that the foreign worker qualifies for the position, then a Canada Work Permit will be issued.

Citizens of countries that are exempt from Canadian visa requirements may seek the issuance of their Work Permit at the ports of entry to Canada instead of the Canadian Visa Missions overseas.

Normally Temporary Work Permit can be issued for a period of 2 years. If the foreign worker in Canada finds different employment, he must apply for a new Work Permit.

It is important to know that Work Permit may open the door to Canadian Permanent Residency. A foreign worker in possession of a Canadian work permit may qualify for Application for Permanent Residency in Canada under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), through a Skilled Worker category, or through one of the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP).