{"id":38193,"date":"2017-09-15T08:47:52","date_gmt":"2017-09-15T08:47:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/immigrationca.staging.wpengine.com\/?p=38193\/"},"modified":"2025-09-03T15:22:17","modified_gmt":"2025-09-03T19:22:17","slug":"international-mobility-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/international-mobility-program\/","title":{"rendered":"International Mobility Program"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">On This Page You Will Find<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>What the International Mobility Program (IMP) is<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How Canadian employers can hire LMIA-exempt foreign workers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Steps for foreign workers applying for a Canadian work permit<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Special exemption categories under the IMP<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Employer responsibilities, inspections and penalties<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>The International Mobility Program (IMP) allows Canadian employers to hire foreign<a href=\"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/jobs-that-are-exempt-from-the-lmia-requirement\/\"> workers without needing a Labour Market Impact Assessment<\/a> (LMIA). For foreign workers, it offers a streamlined route to a Canadian<a href=\"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/canada-work-visa\/\"> work permit<\/a> under a wide range of LMIA-exempt categories. Whether you are an employer looking to fill a position quickly or a worker hoping to gain valuable Canadian experience, the IMP offers flexibility and efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What the International Mobility Program Offers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The IMP supports Canada\u2019s economic and cultural interests and encourages international cooperation by allowing foreign workers to enter Canada under LMIA-exempt work permits. Examples include trade agreement professionals, intra-company transferees, open work permit holders, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unlike the<a href=\"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/labour-market-impact-assessments-lmia-in-canada\/\"> Temporary Foreign Worker Program<\/a> (TFWP), which requires employers to prove they cannot find a Canadian for the job, the IMP allows for faster hiring and easier processing where exemptions apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Types of Work Permits under the International Mobility Program (IMP)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>According to official sources and trusted summaries, the IMP includes the following <strong>work permit categories<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Work permits under Free Trade Agreements<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong>Includes professionals covered by CUSMA, CETA, and similar agreements, who are granted LMIA\u2011exempt work permits based on economic or reciprocal benefit grounds.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/intra-company-transferees\/\"><strong>Intra\u2011Company Transferee Permits<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong><\/a>Enables multinational companies to transfer key staff \u2013 executives, managers, specialists \u2013 to Canadian branches without needing an LMIA.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/international-experience-canada-program\/\"><strong>International Experience Canada<\/strong><\/a><strong> (IEC) Permits<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong>Covers youth mobility exchange participants (e.g., working holiday, young professionals, international co-op) under bilateral youth exchange programs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/post-graduation-work-permit\/\"><strong>Post\u2011Graduation Work Permits<\/strong><\/a><strong> (PGWP)<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong>Allows eligible international graduates to work in Canada after completing their studies \u2013 LMIA is not required.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Spousal or Common\u2011Law Partner<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/open-work-permit-in-canada\"><strong> <\/strong><strong>Open Work Permits<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong><\/a>Enables certain spouses or common-law partners of skilled workers or full-time students to work in Canada without an LMIA.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Bridging Open Work Permits (BOWP)<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong>Available to applicants who are awaiting a decision on a permanent residence application \u2013 these open permits allow them to keep working while they wait.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Francophone Mobility (Francophone or Bilingual Workers Outside Quebec)<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong>Allows employers to hire French-speaking or bilingual workers outside Quebec without an LMIA as part of supporting Francophone communities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Other Significant\u2011Benefit Permits<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong>For roles that bring notable economic, social, or cultural benefits to Canada \u2013 e.g., unique professionals, researchers, or in emerging sectors such as innovation streams.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Additional Context on Permit Types<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Open vs Employer\u2011Specific Permits<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Open Work Permits<\/strong>: Holders may work for any employer in Canada (e.g., PGWP, BOWP, IEC, spouse permits).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Employer\u2011Specific (Closed) Permits<\/strong>: Tied to a specific employer and position; typically require submission of an offer via Employer Portal and possibly compliance fees.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) designates whether a permit is open or employer-specific, depending on the stream and eligibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Summary Table: IMP Work Permit Types<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Work Permit Type<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Open vs Employer-Specific<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Free Trade Agreement Professionals<\/td><td>Typically employer-specific<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Intra\u2011Company Transferees<\/td><td>Employer-specific<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>IEC Participants<\/td><td>Often open work permit<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Post\u2011Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)<\/td><td>Open work permit<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Spousal\/Common\u2011Law Partner Work Permit<\/td><td>Open work permit<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)<\/td><td>Open work permit<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Francophone Mobility (outside Quebec)<\/td><td>Employer-specific (offer submission needed)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Other Significant-Benefit Situations (e.g., innovation)<\/td><td>May be employer-specific<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Employers Can Hire Through the IMP<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To hire a foreign worker through the IMP, most employers must:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Pay the <strong>$230 employer compliance fee<\/strong> (unless exempt)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Submit an <strong>offer of employment<\/strong> through the IRCC Employer Portal<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Provide the worker with a <strong>7-digit offer of employment number<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This number allows the foreign national to apply for a work permit. The application is reviewed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and, if approved, a letter of introduction or work permit is issued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some categories, such as open work permit holders or certain charitable and academic roles, are <strong>exempt from the compliance fee<\/strong> and offer submission requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Work Permit Process for Foreign Workers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Once a valid offer is submitted:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Workers outside Canada receive a <strong>letter of introduction<\/strong>, exchanged for a work permit at the port of entry<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Workers in Canada or eligible to apply at a port of entry may receive a <strong>work permit by mail<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Work permit holders must comply with the terms listed, such as employer, job title, location, and duration<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Applicants must ensure they have the correct <strong>entry document<\/strong> (eTA or visitor visa), and in some cases may require a <strong>medical exam<\/strong> or <strong>exit documentation<\/strong> from their home country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Special IMP Categories<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Some workers and employers benefit from additional LMIA exemptions under unique categories:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>French-speaking workers outside Quebec<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong>Eligible if the worker has moderate proficiency in French and the job is outside Quebec.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Global Hypergrowth Project (GHP) Innovation Stream<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong>For high-growth firms hiring workers in TEER categories 0\u20133 with appropriate wages.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Overnight camp counsellors<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong>These positions are exempt from the LMIA and may be exempt from the compliance fee depending on the situation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Employer Responsibilities After Hiring<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Employers must:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Verify the worker\u2019s valid permit and abide by its conditions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Offer wages and working conditions as stated in the offer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ensure a safe, abuse-free workplace<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Provide health and safety coverage in line with provincial law<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Retain records for at least six years<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be ready for <strong>government inspections<\/strong>, which may involve document checks, interviews, and site visits<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Failure to comply can lead to penalties, including fines, bans from hiring, and inclusion on a public list of non-compliant employers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FAQ<\/h3>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<div id=\"faq-question-1756927149559\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h4 class=\"rank-math-question \">Who can be hired through the International Mobility Program?<\/h4>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Employers can hire foreign workers without an LMIA if the job falls under an eligible IMP category, such as trade agreement roles, open work permits, or intra-company transfers.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1756927158109\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h4 class=\"rank-math-question \">Do all employers have to pay the $230 compliance fee?<\/h4>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>No. Employers hiring open work permit holders or workers in specific fee-exempt roles, such as some academic or charitable positions, do not need to pay the fee.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1756927162707\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h4 class=\"rank-math-question \">How does a foreign worker apply for a work permit under IMP?<\/h4>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>The employer submits an offer of employment through the IRCC Employer Portal. The worker then applies for a work permit using the offer number provided.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1756927167571\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h4 class=\"rank-math-question \">Can an employer be inspected under the IMP?<\/h4>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Yes. Employers may be randomly selected for inspection or chosen due to previous violations or concerns. They must provide records and respond to all requests.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1756927172723\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h4 class=\"rank-math-question \">What happens if an employer violates IMP rules?<\/h4>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Penalties range from warning letters to bans from hiring foreign workers and monetary fines of up to $100,000 per violation, depending on severity and compliance history.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The International Mobility Program lets Canadian employers hire LMIA-exempt foreign workers. Learn how to apply, meet conditions, and avoid penalties.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":147747,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[198],"tags":[76055,78310,78311,78309,78312],"class_list":["post-38193","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-c210-canadian-work-permit","tag-canada-work-permit-process","tag-hire-foreign-worker-canada","tag-imp-employer-guide","tag-international-mobility-program-canada","tag-lmia-exempt-work-permit-2","category-198","description-off"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38193","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38193"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38193\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/147747"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38193"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=38193"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38193"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}