Business Immigration
Programs

Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) is the overall name for a group of wide-ranging programs that temporarily allow foreigners to come to Canada. The priority of Canadian employers is to hire available Canadians to work on their companies. When Canadians cannot be found, employers use various Temporary Foreign Worker Program streams to get the workers they need for their businesses.

1. Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications

LMIA applicants require approval by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). We specialize in that process, starting from posting and running advertisements following strict Service Canada standards, preparing the submission of LMIA applications, and filling subsequent work permit applications. LMIA is a verification process whereby ESDC assesses an offer of employment to ensure that the employment of a foreign worker will not have a negative impact on the Canadian labor market. With LMIA applications, employers will be required to provide various business documents and information about the position they want to hire a foreign worker. In most cases, they would need to advertise during a specific period of time following strict ESDC police. For more information, please contact us.

2. LMIA exempt applications: International Mobility Program (IMP)

The International Mobility Program lets Canadian employers hire temporary workers without a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Multiple available streams serve Canada’s broader economic and cultural interests. Positions exempt from requiring an LMIA are those which:

Provide certain broad economic, cultural, or other competitive advantages for Canada, and
Provide reciprocal benefits for Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

3. Intra- Company Transfer Program (ICT)

As part of IMP, this option permits multinational companies with a branch, subsidiary or affiliate in Canada to transfer workers under certain conditions. The primary purpose of this application is to improve the management effectiveness and competitiveness of Canadian companies in the global market. Canadiana and foreign companies should have a qualifying relationship: the Canadian company should be a sister company, a branch, an affiliate, or a foreign company subsidiary. An employee should satisfy several criteria to qualify for this program, starting from professional experience, occupation, knowledge, and skills.

4. Free-Trade Agreements

Agreements such as USMCA, CETA, and FTAs signed with Korea, Chile, Peru, Columbia, and more enable LMIA exempt transfer of employees between Canada and specific countries. These programs are created for more effortless mobility of business visitors, professionals, intra-company transferees, traders, and investors.

In most cases, new applicants can request a work permit at the port of entry, such as when arriving at an airport or crossing the land border into Canada.

5. Owner-Operator LMIA applications

The Owner-Operator LMIA is a variation of Labour Market Impact Assessment the most suitable for business owners. You would need to demonstrate majority ownership in the company to be successful. From April 1st, 2021, these applications are not exempt from advertisements requirements. With this type of LMIA, you can get a work permit to work in Canada and further develop your company. Your spouse may be eligible for an Open-Work Permit. The type of person who would be ideal for an owner-operator LMIA may have the following characteristics:

Owns min of 51% of a Canadian business
Has relevant business experience in the field, either a previous owner-operator or senior management experience working for another company
She created at least one job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident or more.
The business has to be active, with signed contracts, invoices and business licenses in place.
There is no minimum investment amount other than as determined by the business plan.
Owner-operators can start their own new company or purchase an existing one

6. International Experience Canada (IEC)

This program has three different categories and it’s based in International Reciprocal youth exchange agreements. Canada has agreements with over thirty countries to make it easier for Canadian youth to work and travel abroad.

Business Immigration Programs