There are two federal Canadian immigration programs through which an employer can hire Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs). These programs are how a TFW can get a closed work permit, which means their work permit will only allow them to work for a specific employer.
Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
To hire a TFW through the TFWP, a Canadian employer must submit a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to prove they are experiencing a labour shortage and that there aren’t enough Canadian or permanent residents to fill it.
International Mobility Program (IMP)
The IMP allows Canadian employers to hire TFWs by submitting an official job offer if the TFW is LMIA-exempt.
Employers can hire TFWs with open work permits at any time, provided the work permit is valid and the job offer does not fall under any potential restrictions.
Types of Temporary Foreign Workers
Many employers will have to submit an LMIA through the TFWP to hire a foreign worker. There are different ‘streams’ under the TFWP, each with specific conditions and uses. Which stream an employer should use depends on the type of work and what kind of qualifications they need the TFW to have.
Low-wage
Low-wage TFWs can be hired for a wide range of positions, provided the wage is below the provincial median wage where the job offer is located.
High-wage
High-wage TFWs, like low-wage ones, can be hired for many different positions. However, their wage must be at or above the provincial median wage where the job offer is located.
Agricultural
TFWs can be hired through this stream for work directly related to agriculture.
Global Talent Stream
This stream is for TFWs with highly specific or in-demand skills.
Caregiver
Employers can hire TFWs in this stream specifically to care for children, seniors or persons with medical needs.
Academic
Canadian post-secondary institutions can hire foreign academics through this stream.
An employer, or their paid third-party representative, will submit an LMIA under the stream that best suits their needs.
The employer, or a licensed recruiter, can then seek out, interview and hire foreign candidates who meet the job requirements.
Once the LMIA is approved, the TFW or their representative can submit a work permit application using that valid LMIA. What this process looks like depends on the TFW’s location, nationality and the type of job.
If a TFW is from an LMIA-exempt country or the job is LMIA-exempt, they can apply for a work permit with just a job offer through the IMP.
Once a closed LMIA work permit application is approved, the TFW can work for the employer for the established duration of their signed employment contract.
As a licensed recruiter and registered immigration consultant, Port to Port can represent both an employer and a foreign national. If you’re interested in guidance through hiring a TFW, book a free consultation with us today!