International Mobility Program (IMP)
The International Mobility Program (IMP) allows Canadian employers to recruit temporary foreign workers without obtaining a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This program is designed for individuals who qualify under international agreements Canada is a part of, such as the Canada-United States-Mexico (CUSMA) agreement. The IMP facilitates hiring individuals with specialized skills or those participating in reciprocal employment agreements, significantly reducing the complexity and length of the usual immigration process.
Table of Contents
- International Mobility Program (IMP)
- Requirements For the International Mobility Program (IMP)
- Who Qualifies for International Mobility Programs (IMP)
- The Difference Between the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the International Mobility Program (IMP)
- Frequently Asked Questions International Mobility Program (IMP)
Requirements For the International Mobility Program (IMP)
The International Mobility Program allows employers to hire temporary workers without a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) when two requirements are met: first, where there are broad economic, cultural, or other competitive advantages for Canada or second, there are reciprocal benefits enjoyed by Canadians and permanent residents achieved through the employment of the temporary worker. These conditions are typically met under three common scenarios.
- The foreign worker meets the qualifications under a reciprocal treaty id est Canada, United States, Mexico (CUSMA).
- The foreign worker is a highly skilled individual from a multinational organization completing an intra-company transfer to a Canadian office branch.
- The foreign worker meets the requirements for an open work permit.
In any scenario, the hiring organization must complete three requirements to be eligible to hire a foreign worker:
- The employer must pay the CAD $230.00 employer compliance fee. This fee is not required for open-work permits.
- The employer must create an offer of employment form for the foreign worker applicant.
- The employer must confirm that the foreign national or the position qualifies for an LMIA exemption and submit the official job offer through the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) IMP Employer portal.
Once these steps are completed, the foreign national can apply for a work permit in Canada. Furthermore, the Applicant may be eligible for an expedited work permit if the proposed job is in a specific type of employment.
If the work permit application is approved, the foreign worker will receive a Letter of Introduction if they are applying outside of Canada, or an in-Canada approval letter, and a new work permit if they are currently in Canada. The Letter of Introduction is an initial approval subject to an in-person examination of the Applicant once they arrive in Canada. If approved, a border services officer swaps the Letter of Introduction for the work permit at the port of entry.
Who Qualifies for International Mobility Programs (IMP)
An applicant qualifies for International Mobility Programs (IMP) when the Applicant’s presence in Canada creates economic, cultural, etc., advantages for Canada or Canadians and permanent residents enjoy reciprocal benefits.
Individuals who qualify for the International Mobility Program (IMP) include participants across various categories designed to meet Canada’s economic, social, and cultural goals without requiring a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). The critical categories under the IMP include:
Participants in Free Trade Agreements
Free trade agreements provide reciprocal benefits for Canadian citizens. Each agreement has different provisions that specify the type of employees eligible to work without needing an LMIA.
Non-Exclusive List of Free Trade Agreements
- Canada-United States-Mexico Trade Agreement (CUSMA)
- Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA)
Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement - Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)
- Canada-Honduras Free Trade Agreement
- Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement (CKFTA)
- Canada-Panama Free Trade Agreement
- Canada-Peru Free Trade Agreement (CPFTA)
- Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement (CUFTA)
- Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)
Intra-Company Transfer
This category facilitates the transfer of key employees from multinational companies outside Canada to their operations in Canada, whether a branch, subsidiary or affiliate. Eligible employees typically include those in managerial or executive roles or those with specialized knowledge essential to the company’s operations. Intra-Company Transfers aim to support staff’s internal movement for corporate management, knowledge transfer, and enhancing Canadian operations.
To qualify, employees must have been employed continuously by the company outside Canada in a similar full-time position for at least one year in the three years immediately preceding the submission of the application. This pathway not only benefits transferring employees by allowing them to work in Canada but also supports the business objectives of the multinational company by facilitating global growth and leveraging international talent.
International Experience Canada (IEC)
Utilizing reciprocal agreements with participating countries, this program enables young individuals to work and travel in Canada through Working Holiday, Young Professionals, and International Co-op Internship programs. These options offer opportunities for cultural exchange and professional development by allowing participants to explore Canada, gain international work experience, and contribute to and learn from the Canadian workforce.
Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP)
The Postgraduate Work Permit (PGWP) is an open work permit available to students who have graduated from eligible Canadian post-secondary institutions. It allows them to work for any employer in Canada and is valid for up to two years, based on the length of the completed academic program. This permit is a component of the International Mobility Program (IMP).
The Spouse Open Work Permit (SOWP)
The Spouse Open Work Permit (SOWP) as part of the International Mobility Program (IMP), allows spouses or common-law partners of certain categories of temporary foreign workers and students to work in Canada. This permit is not job-specific, meaning these permit holders can work for any employer in Canada without needing a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). To be eligible, the temporary foreign worker or student must be authorized to work in Canada for at least six months or study at a Canadian post-secondary institution.
The Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)
The Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) in Canada serves as a transitional solution for individuals who have applied for permanent residence through specific economic immigration programs and are awaiting a decision by the IRCC. Applicants include those who have submitted their applications under Express Entry or other eligible permanent residency pathways and whose current temporary work permits are nearing expiration. The BOWP allows these applicants to continue working for any employer in Canada without being tied to a specific job or location, ensuring they maintain their legal work status. At the same time, their permanent residency application is processed.
The Difference Between the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the International Mobility Program (IMP)
Feature | TFWP | IMP |
Objective | To address short-term labor shortages by allowing employers to hire foreign workers when Canadians or permanent residents are not available. | To advance Canada’s broader economic, social, and cultural interests without impacting the Canadian labour market negatively. |
LMIA Requirement | Requires a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to hire foreign workers, demonstrating that no suitable Canadian worker is available for the job. | LMIA is not required. The program includes categories that benefit from reciprocal agreements or contribute to Canada’s interests. |
Type of Work Permit | Employer-specific work permits, tying the foreign worker to the employer who received the LMIA. | Includes both employer-specific and open work permits, depending on the stream or category under which the foreign worker is eligible. |
Examples of Streams | High-wage workers, Low-wage workers, Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program, Agricultural Stream, Caregivers. | Free trade agreements (e.g., CUSMA, CETA), International Experience Canada, Intra-Company Transferees, Significant Benefit, Reciprocal Employment. |
Duration | Typically linked to the length of the job offer or contract, up to a maximum of four years (renewable in certain cases). | Duration varies by stream, with some permits allowing for longer stays or pathways to permanent residency. |
Primary Benefit | Allows Canadian employers to fill immediate labor shortages in specific sectors. | Facilitates cultural exchange and capitalizes on global talent to meet Canada’s long-term economic and cultural goals. |
Frequently Asked Questions About the Canadian Experience Class
Can I apply for Canadian experience class outside Canada?
Yes, candidates can apply outside of Canada for the Canadian Experience Class if they fulfill the eligibility criteria, including having one year of work experience in Canada within three years immediately preceding the application. Candidates in Canada on a temporary work visa nearing its expiration can obtain a bridging open work permit, allowing them to maintain employment in Canada while awaiting their invitation to apply for permanent residency.
Do you need to show financial proof for the Canadian Experience Class?
No, if you receive an invitation under the Canadian Experience Class, the requirement to demonstrate financial proof does not apply to you. However, by default, the Express Entry system will request proof of funds documents from all candidates. To be exempt, invitees for permanent residency can fulfill this step by uploading a letter stating their invitation under the Canadian Experience Class or uploading evidence of a valid job offer, bypassing the need to show proof of funds.
Do internships and co-ops in Canada count toward Canadian Experience Class work experience?
No, however, it is a bit nuanced. The eligibility of a paid internship to count towards the Express Entry work experience requirement varies depending on its relation to your educational program. If your paid internship was conducted outside of your academic curriculum and not as a requirement for your degree or diploma, it could be considered valid work experience for Express Entry. This means that internships undertaken independently of academic obligations, where you gain practical skills relevant to your professional field, may contribute to fulfilling the work experience criteria for Express Entry applications.
Frequently Asked Questions International Mobility Program (IMP)
Who qualifies for the international mobility program?
Eligibility for the International Mobility Program (IMP) includes individuals in categories that support Canada’s economic and social goals. Key groups include professionals covered by free trade agreements like CUSMA and CETA, intra-company transferees, participants in the International Experience Canada program, those contributing a significant benefit to Canada, and spouses or dependents of skilled workers or students. These categories aim to simplify the entry of workers who fill specific needs or bring considerable advantages to Canada.
What are international mobility programs?
International Mobility Programs (IMPs) allow foreign nationals to work in Canada without needing a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). These programs enable workers to enter Canada under agreements that serve Canada’s broader economic, cultural, or social interests. IMPs include professionals under free trade agreements, intra-company transferees, participants in reciprocal youth exchange programs, and individuals who contribute significant benefits to Canada.
How long does it take to get a visa for the international mobility program in Canada?
The processing time for a visa under the International Mobility Program (IMP) in Canada depends on the specific work permit category, whether the work permit is an inside Canada or outside Canada application, the Applicant’s country of origin, and the volume of applications received by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Processing times can range from a few weeks to several months.
What is the difference between a temporary foreign worker program and an international mobility program?
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) requires that employers obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), proving a need for a foreign worker and showcasing there are no available Canadians or permanent residents to perform the job. On the other hand, the International Mobility Program (IMP) allows employers to hire foreign nationals without an LMIA, focusing on economic, cultural, or social benefits to Canada.
Can I change employers if I'm in Canada under the International Mobility Program (IMP)?
If you have an open work permit under specific categories of the International Mobility Program (IMP), you may change employers without needing to apply for a new work permit. This includes spouses or common-law partners of skilled workers or students and participants in the Working Holiday category of the International Experience Canada (IEC) program. However, if you have an employer-specific work permit under the IMP, such as an intra-company transferee, you must apply for a new one to change employers.
