Overview

Regarding the process:

The International Mobility Program (IMP) allows employers to by-pass the LMIA process and hire temporary foreign workers, without the need for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Most of the time LMIA’s are required to hire temporary foreign workers but the IMP consists of LMIA exemptions.

The program assists employers in hiring temporary workers without an LMIA, where there are certain competitive advantages for Canada and/or a benefit economically or culturally. It could also be used in situations where there are reciprocal benefits that Canadians or permanent residents benefit from.

Categories under the International Mobility Program (IMP) include:

·         Intra-company transferees

·         International agreements with specific countries (examples being CUSMA, or CETA)

·         Post-Graduation Work Permits available to qualifying international graduates

·         Bridging Open Work Permits (available to those who are in the permanent residence application process)

·         International Experience Canada (IEC program)

·         Programs that bring significant social or cultural benefit to Canada

Typically, to hire a foreign worker through the International Mobility Program employers are required to pay a compliance fee in the IRCC Portal of $230 and submit an offer of employment. After submitting the offer of employment, the employer will obtain an offer of employment number. The temporary foreign worker can then apply for a work permit using the employment number in their work permit application.

There are certain exceptions where an employer is not required to submit an offer of employment or pay the compliance fee.  For example, if an employer is hiring an employee who is already on an open work permit, then submitting the job offer and paying the compliance fee through the employer portal is not required.

Overall, the International Mobility Program (IMP) can be a great option for employers to help meet their demands. According to the IRCC website, statistics show that in 2023 between January 1st and September 30th Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued over 1M work permits under the IMP.

Furthermore, the IMP operates based on demand, without any caps or limits on the total number of work permits that can be requested or issued within a year.