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If you are a Canadian employer who wants to hire foreign workers to fill jobs and address labour shortages, we can assist you in the LMIA process and in hiring foreign workers. We can help you file a Labour Market Impact Assessment to hire temporary foreign workers and help you manage the legal paperwork with hiring and managing foreign workers - and have your foreign worker application processed in as few as 9 days!
The government understands that Canadian companies are suffering from labour shortages and need workers, and the LMIA program is more flexible right now because the government needs to help the economy. Processing times for LMIA vary depending on the number of applications received by the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), and TFWP is transitioning to online submissions in April 2023.
On November 1, Canada announced that by 2025 the government wants to welcome 1.45 Million immigrants to Canada to address the labour shortage. Canada needs younger professionals; it also needs skilled workers. And it needs people who want to expand and grow in Canada.
What Is An LMIA?
Work Permits are required for foreign nationals who want to work during their time in Canada. These are issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and give authorization for someone to work legally in Canada. The work permit is going to explain the type of work the individual named can perform, the employer(s) they can provide labour, where they are going to work and how long they are given permission to work. In addition to a Work Permit, Temporary Foreign Workers may require an LMIA, or Labour Market Impact Assessment, which indicates that there is a demonstrated need for a foreign worker to fill the job, and also that no Canadian worker is available to do it. The LMIA must be "positive" and can be used as a job confirmation letter.
Employers have to work directly with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to apply for the LMIA or hire an immigration lawyer as their representative.
LMIA Exemptions
Some jobs qualify for LMIA exemptions:
- International Agreements R204 - When hiring foreign workers through specific international trade agreements (NAFTA as an example), the LMIA is not required
- Canadian interests R205 - A long list of groups that include charitable work, reciprocal employment, specially designated programs, and more
- "Other" R206-R208
- Additionally, employers are able to hire temporary workers through the International Mobility Program without the use of an LMIA.
Fast Track Processing for Temporary Foreign Workers
Canada's Global Talent Stream promises a 2-week fast-track for qualified applicants to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. Also known as the Global Talent Visa, this program delivers three benefits:
- 80% of Work Permit applications will be processed within two weeks of submission
- Work Permit exemptions will be granted to highly-skilled workers on short-term work assignments - these exemptions will also cover researchers involved in short-term research projects in Canada
- Provision of a dedicated service channel for companies intent on large job-creating investments in Canada
The average Labour Market Impact Assessment processing time for the Global Talent Stream in October 2022 was 9 days.
Compliance and HR Audits
Ackah Law also offers Employment Law and Human Resources Advisory services assist our corporate immigration clients with planning for terminations, layoffs and drafting employment and consulting agreements to ensure you are well protected. We are pleased to have on our team experienced employment and labour lawyers and human resources consultants that will be contracted with us to assist our clients.
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Do You Need Help Hiring Foreign Workers For Your Business In Canada?
To start the process, it is essential to be aware of all the immigration methods available to employers. If you are a Canadian employer who wants to hire foreign workers for your business, give us a call at Ackah Business Immigration Law at (403) 452-9515 or email us at contact@ackahlaw.com. With offices in Calgary, Toronto and Vancouver, Ackah Law can assist companies with all their global talent immigration needs.
