Work Permit
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) allows Canadian employers the ability to temporarily hire foreign nationals in order to fill shortages in Canada’s labour force. The TFWP is jointly operated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).
The TFWP helps Canadian employers hire the foreign talent they need. It also makes sure that these foreign workers get the rights and protections they deserve to be safely employed in Canada.
One key characteristic of the TFWP is the requirement for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Any employer wishing to hire a foreign national through TFWP must first obtain an LMIA demonstrating that they were unable to find a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to fill the position. Only after obtaining an LMIA will an employer be able to officially hire a foreign national, enabling the foreign national, in turn, to apply for a Canadian work permit or Canadian permanent residence.