Canada Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
Temporary Foreign Worker Employee Program
Temporary Worker Program must be able to demonstrate that there are no Canadian citizens or permanent residents who are ready, willing and able to do what is specified in the role. This evidence comes in the form of Labor Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs). The process for obtaining
Temporary Foreign Worker Assistance (LMIA) includes:
- The period during which the work was properly published.
- $1,000 application fee (paid by employer);
- Create a change plan that demonstrates the employer’s intention to take steps to reduce dependence on foreign workers over time (also applies to jobs for which others pay more); And
- Adhere to strict standards. For more information about the
LMIA exemption
There are several ways Canadian employers can avoid the LMIA application process; this is hiring through temporary work permits outside of the Temporary Worker Scheme. This can be done if the recruitment takes place through one of the many methods of the International Mobility Program (IMP), which provides for the employment of foreign employees who are not subject to Search Business Intelligence Analysis (LMIA).
TFWP | IMP |
LMIA required | No LMIA required |
Work permits status | May be open or closed |
Purpose | To advance broader interests |
Criteria | Based on international agreements and specific needs |
Application stream | Varies based on occupation and agreements |
Application processing | Varies; some have two-week standard |
Employer requirements | May or may not require search for Canadian workers |
Transition plan | Not mandatory for employers |
Fees | Compliance fee or none for open work permits |
Processing oversight | Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) |
Foreign workers were transferred to permanent residence
Many temporary foreign workers in Canada have established bases in the country. These roots may be financial, social, family, or a combination of these. Fortunately, foreign workers can transfer to permanent residence in Canada, depending on their circumstances.
Some business immigration programs in Canada give priority to working in Canada. Foreign workers who have worked in a skilled trade in Canada for at least one year may qualify for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), one of the government jobs administered through the Express Entry system. Considering Canadian work experience awarded through the Quality Assurance System (CRS), CEC candidates are easily invited to apply for permanent residence.
Foreign workers who are not eligible for Express Entry or have difficulty meeting the CRS limit in the Express Entry program may have other options selected as one of the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP). Many states use the PNP to help foreign workers in certain states transition to permanent residence. In some cases, this can be done even if the foreign worker is working in an unskilled position.
will also provide immigration options for foreign workers who are the spouse or common-law partner of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
The TFWP is a program that allows Canadian employers to hire foreign workers to fill temporary labor shortages when qualified Canadians are not available.
Foreign workers from other countries can apply for jobs through the TFWP if they have a job offer from a Canadian employer who has obtained the necessary approvals.
An LMIA is a document that a Canadian employer must obtain to hire a foreign worker. It shows that there is a need for a foreign worker to fill the job and that no Canadian worker is available to do it.
The length of stay for foreign workers under the TFWP varies depending on the job and the specific circumstances, but it is generally temporary and can range from a few months to a few years.
Foreign workers on the TFWP can apply for permanent residency through various immigration programs, such as the Express Entry system, if they meet the eligibility requirements.
