The International Mobility Program allows employers to hire temporary foreign workers without needing a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).In most cases, you’ll need to submit an offer of employment via the Employer Portal.Once you’ve completed your part, the temporary foreign worker will need to apply for a work permit.Upon the worker’s arrival, there are specific conditions and responsibilities that you, as an employer, must fulfill. Failure to meet these requirements could result in penalties.
Submitting an Offer of Employment
To hire a temporary worker through the International Mobility Program, you generally need to:
Pay the employer compliance fee of $230, and
Create and submit an offer of employment form through the Employer Portal.
Your offer of employment must include the following details:
Information about your business
Details about the foreign worker you wish to hire
Job description and responsibilities
Wage and benefits offered
Special Requirements for Hiring Certain Foreign Workers
Depending on the type of foreign worker you plan to hire, there may be specific requirements to follow.
Hiring a French-Speaking or Bilingual Worker Outside Quebec
You can hire a French-speaking or bilingual worker outside of Quebec without an LMIA if the worker:
Has moderate proficiency in speaking and listening in French
Will live and work outside of Quebec
Hiring an Overnight Camp Counsellor
You can hire an overnight camp counsellor through the International Mobility Program without needing an LMIA. In some cases, you may also be exempt from paying the employer compliance fee, depending on the worker’s situation.
Hiring a Worker Under the Innovation Stream
You can hire a foreign worker without an LMIA if you’re an employer involved in the Global Hypergrowth Project (GHP) and the job meets the following criteria:
The job is classified under National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3 (high-skilled).
You meet the wage assessment requirements for the offered job.
After Submitting an Offer of Employment
Once you’ve submitted an offer of employment through the Employer Portal, you will receive a 7-digit offer of employment number. You must provide this number to the temporary worker you intend to hire. With this number, the worker can complete and submit their work permit application.
Employer Responsibilities After Hiring a Temporary Foreign Worker
Once your temporary worker’s work permit is approved, you must:
Review their work permit and its expiry date.
Adhere to the conditions on the work permit, including job location, work duration, and job duties.
Ensure working conditions (pay, hours, etc.) match the offer of employment you submitted.
Provide medical insurance and workers’ compensation benefits as required.
Maintain active participation in the business for the duration of the work permit.
Comply with all federal, provincial, and territorial employment laws.
Ensure a safe, harassment-free workplace.
Be present for inspections and provide requested documents.
Pay for any required quarantine periods as per COVID-19 regulations.
Keep employment documents for 6 years to demonstrate compliance.
If the offer of employment changes, you must submit a voluntary disclosure form.
Inspections for Temporary Foreign Workers
If you hire a temporary foreign worker through the International Mobility Program, your business may be subject to inspections to ensure compliance with program requirements. Inspections help protect workers and verify that employers are using the program correctly. Inspections may occur if:
Your business is randomly selected.
There is suspicion of non-compliance.
You’ve had past compliance issues.
You hired a worker subject to Quarantine or Emergency Act orders.
There’s been a communicable disease outbreak at your work site.
If Multiple Employers Are Involved: The employer who submitted the offer of employment will be contacted, required to provide all documents, and held accountable for any non-compliance.All employers involved must meet their responsibilities and may be inspected, even if an authorized representative submitted the offers.If you wish to use an authorized representative after receiving an inspection notice, you must provide written consent for them to act on your behalf, along with any requested documents.
