In ‘The International Mobility Program’ (IMP), Candidates from all over the world can be employed with work permits by Canadian employers. A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is not required under this program. IRCC), the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) jointly run the International Travel Program. This program can be used by the companies and businesses who are seeking to expand their ventures or products in Canada and need to migrate their staff to Canada..
In 2021, Canada issued 315,000 work permits in the IMP
The International Mobility Program (IMP) is an umbrella program that allows Canadian employers to hire temporary foreign workers without applying and obtaining the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Such operating permits may be opened or closed, depending on the specific program and broadcast. IMP work permits can be issued to people who fall into the terms of free trade agreements signed by Canada, several categories of Entrepreneurs or Employers, Exchange Studies, Spouses of International Employees and International Students, Internal Company Transfers and other categories. In total, Canada issued 243,250 work permits to the International Mobility Program in 2020, 62,710 less work permits compared to 2019. The main reason for the decline in 2020 is COVID-19.
Workers who are eligible for the International Mobility Program (IMP) are:
- Those entering Canada as part of trade treaties, such as the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) or the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA)
- And those entering Canada as intra-company transferees.
- Those who are entering Canada on an open work permit.
Hiring a foreign worker through the IMP Generally involves the payment of $230 as an employer compliance fee. If an employer is hiring a person of an open work permit holder, then the fee is not required. Other fee-exempt cases include a non-trade agreement, certain research positions, and charitable or religious work.
Job offers via the IMP should be made via the IRCC’s Employer Portal. Therefore employers must first register a profile to use the Employer Portal.
All the details of the job offer must be entered into the portal, the minimum education requirement, including a list of duties, experience required, plus wages and benefits.
The employers who are submitting a job offer receive an offer of employment number. This number is required to complete their work permit application.
Application Process of the Program
- In the IRCC employer portal, a Canadian employer needs to make an account and populates it with their company profile
- The employer completes the job profile with details like experience, education, wages, benefits available
- Using IRCC’s Employer Portal, the employer makes the job offer to the successful candidate
- Upon submission of the job, the employer sends the unique employment number which is auto-generated to the successful candidate
- The successful candidate completes the application for the work permit and includes the unique employment number too
The successful candidate is eligible to receive many documents upon the approval of the work permit application:
When a selected candidate is outside Canada:
- A letter of introduction
- A work permit is issued at a Canadian port of entry
- When the selected candidate is present inside Canada, a work permit is granted to them.
DIFFERENT WAYS TO INTERNATIONAL MOBILITY PROGRAMS
Intra-Company Transferees
If a foreign national has been working on a full-time and continuous basis with an affiliated company abroad for at least one year in the three years immediately preceding their application for a Canadian work permit, they are currently employed as an executive, senior manager, functional manager, or have specialised knowledge, and will be assuming a similar position in Canada, they may be eligible for an initial Canadian work permit valid for up to three years on the basis that they are an intra-company transferee.
North American Free Trade Agreement
The North American Free Trade Agreement (“NAFTA”) is a trilateral reciprocal agreement between Canada, the United States of America, and Mexico which facilitates trade between these particular countries. Business visitors, certain professionals, intra-company transferees, and traders and investors who are citizens of the United States of America and/or Mexico may be eligible for admission to Canada or eligible for a Canadian work permit valid for an initial period of up to three years under NAFTA.
Other International Free Trade Agreements
Canada has also entered into bilateral Free Trade Agreements (“FTAs”) with numerous other countries which facilitate trade between Canada and these particular countries (e.g. the Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement, the Canada-Peru Free Trade Agreement, the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement, and the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement).
General Agreement on Trade in Services
Canada is a signatory to the General Agreement on Trade in Services (“GATS”) which facilitates trade between more than 140 member counties. Business visitors, certain professionals, and intra-company transferees who are citizens of at least one of the member countries may be eligible for admission to Canada or eligible for a Canadian work permit valid for an initial period of up to 90 days under GATS.
Significant Benefit to Canada
If a foreign national’s physical presence in Canada will result in a significant cultural, social, and/or economic benefit to Canada, he/she may be eligible for a Canadian work permit. This is a highly discretionary and subjective type of application.
Study Permits
If a foreign national intends to study in Canada, they will be required to obtain a Canadian study permit (unless one of a few limited exceptions apply). If a foreign national has been invited to enroll in a course/program of study at a “designated learning institution” in Canada, he/she may be eligible for a Canadian study permit.
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