International Mobility Program

The International Mobility Program (IMP) is a program administered by the Government of Canada that allows Canadian employers to hire foreign workers without the need for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). An LMIA is a document that an employer in Canada must obtain from the government to hire a foreign worker for a specific job, and it demonstrates that there is a need for a foreign worker in that job and that there are no qualified Canadians available to do the work.

The IMP includes a number of different streams that allow Canadian employers to hire foreign workers, including:

1. International Experience Canada (IEC): This program allows young people from partner countries to work and travel in Canada for up to two years.
2. Intra-Company Transfers: This program allows multinational companies to transfer senior executives, managers, and specialized knowledge workers to their Canadian operations.
3. Global Talent Stream: This program is designed to help Canadian employers access highly skilled foreign workers in certain fields, including science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
4. International Free Trade Agreements: Canada has signed a number of free trade agreements that include provisions for the temporary entry of foreign workers.
5. Other categories: There are also a number of other categories under the IMP, including academic exchanges, humanitarian and compassionate cases, and reciprocal employment.

The IMP does not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment, foreign workers who come to Canada under the program must still meet certain requirements, including work permit requirements and admissibility requirements, such as security and medical checks.

Intra Company Transfers

Intra-Company Transfers (ICT) is a program under the International Mobility Program that allows multinational companies to transfer their executives, managers, and specialized knowledge workers to their Canadian operations. The program facilitates the temporary entry of foreign workers to Canada without the need for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

To be eligible for the ICT program, the following requirements must be met:

1. The foreign worker must have been employed with the company for at least one year before the transfer to Canada.
2. The foreign worker must hold a senior executive, managerial, or specialized knowledge position in the company.
3. The Canadian operation of the company must be a subsidiary, branch, or affiliate of the foreign company.
4. The foreign worker must not intend to enter the Canadian labor market on a permanent basis.

There are two types of Intra-Company Transfers under the ICT program:

1. Key Personnel: This category includes senior executives and managers who are responsible for directing the management of the company or a major component of it. They are allowed to stay in Canada for up to 120 days in a 12-month period.
2. Specialized Knowledge Workers: This category includes employees who have specialized knowledge that is essential to the company’s Canadian operations. They are allowed to stay in Canada for up to 3 years.

The ICT program does not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment, foreign workers who come to Canada under the program must still meet certain requirements, including work permit requirements and admissibility requirements, such as security and medical checks.

International Free Trade Agreements

International Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) are trade agreements signed between Canada and other countries that promote trade and investment between the signatory countries. Many of these FTAs also include provisions for the temporary entry of foreign workers.

Under these FTAs, Canadian employers may be able to hire foreign workers without the need for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) if the worker meets certain requirements. These requirements may include having a job offer in Canada, possessing certain qualifications, and meeting admissibility requirements, such as security and medical checks.

The FTAs that include provisions for the temporary entry of foreign workers to Canada are:

1. North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)/Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA): This agreement allows Canadian employers to hire certain professionals and business people from the United States and Mexico without the need for an LMIA.
2. Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA): This agreement allows Canadian employers to hire certain professionals and business people from European Union (EU) countries without the need for an LMIA.
3. Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP): This agreement allows Canadian employers to hire certain professionals and business people from CPTPP member countries without the need for an LMIA.
4. Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA): This agreement allows Canadian employers to hire certain professionals and business people from Chile without the need for an LMIA.
5. Canada-Peru Free Trade Agreement (CPFTA): This agreement allows Canadian employers to hire certain professionals and business people from Peru without the need for an LMIA.

The Requirements for each FTA may vary, and not all jobs or industries are covered under these agreements. Employers should consult the relevant FTA and seek legal advice to ensure they meet the necessary requirements before hiring foreign workers under these programs.

Other IMPs

In addition to the International Mobility Programs (IMP) streams mentioned earlier, there are several other programs that fall under the IMP. These programs allow foreign nationals to work in Canada for a temporary period without the need for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), although they may still require a work permit and meet certain admissibility requirements. Here are some examples of other IMPs:

1. International Co-op Internship Program: This program allows foreign students to gain work experience in Canada as part of their academic program. The program requires a valid job offer from a Canadian employer and a co-op or internship agreement with a Canadian educational institution.
2. Research Affiliate Program: This program allows foreign researchers to work in Canada on a temporary basis for research collaborations with Canadian institutions or universities. Participants must have a valid job offer and a research collaboration agreement with a Canadian institution or university.
3. Francophone Mobility Program: This program allows French-speaking foreign nationals to work in Canada in jobs that support the francophone community outside Quebec. Participants must have a valid job offer and meet language requirements.
4. Global Skills Strategy: This program allows Canadian employers to hire highly-skilled foreign nationals for jobs that are in-demand in Canada. Participants must have a valid job offer, meet certain wage requirements, and have a positive Labour Market Benefit Plan.
5. Spousal Work Permit Program: This program allows the spouses or common-law partners of foreign nationals who hold a valid work or study permit in Canada to obtain an open work permit. The open work permit allows the spouse or common-law partner to work in Canada for any employer for the duration of the permit.

Each program may have its own specific eligibility criteria and application process. Employers and foreign nationals interested in participating in these programs should consult the relevant program website or seek legal advice to ensure they meet the necessary requirements.