Options for the International Worker
By Alison Langford
In an effort to support business needs and ensure that we are “open for business”, the Canadian Government provides a number of options to foreign workers wanting to come to Canada.
First and foremost, foreign workers coming to Canada need a work permit which they are able to attain through one of the following immigration programs: the International Experience Class, Labour Market Impact Assessment, post-secondary education and Express Entry. The most effective and efficient option will vary based on the position, the worker selected, and the current location of the worker.
The team at Chemistry Consulting Group has the experience and knowledge to assist you with your international recruitment needs. The following is a brief summary of the various types of immigration programs:
International Experience Class (IEC)
This option is available for individuals who are between 18 and 35 years of age. (Please note that the qualifying age may vary from country to country.) There are 3 streams under the IEC program and these visas are normally 12 – 24 months in duration.
- Working holiday: Provides an open work permit which allows the worker to do any job at any location
- Young professionals: This stream is focused on skilled positions and requires a job offer from a Canadian employer. The work permit is specific to the employer.
- Co-op: This program requires that the worker is a post-secondary student and that their university confirms eligibility for the co-op term. The visa is time-limited with the expectation that the worker will return to school in their country of origin.
For more details: www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/iec.html
Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
This process requires that the employer apply to Service Canada (SC) for the opportunity to recruit a foreign worker. The employer must follow some very strict SC guidelines (from advertisement requirements to business viability) in order to be approved for an LMIA. There are three types of assessments: LMIA – low wage, LMIA – high wage, and Dual-intent LMIA. The LMIA program is the most common stream used by tourism and hospitality employers. It takes approximately 3 months for processing (4 weeks of advertising prior to submitting the application, and then 8 weeks for processing the application). The LMIA is valid for 6 months after being approved.
Once the LMIA is granted, a foreign worker can apply for that opportunity and get a work permit. These permits may be up to two years, depending on the position.
For more details: www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/hire-foreign-worker/temporary/find-need-labour-market-impact-assessment.html
Post-Secondary
If an individual has been accepted into an approved post-secondary program, they are normally provided with a working visa for a defined period of time upon completion. They may also have the opportunity to work during their school term on a part time basis, or through a co-op opportunity. Depending on the program, the spouse of an individual going to university may also be eligible for a work permit during this time.
For more details: www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada.html
Express Entry
Express Entry is a federal program that can be used by the worker to apply for permanent residency. It was designed with three main objectives in mind: 1) flexibility in selection and application management, 2) responsiveness to labour market and regional needs and 3) speed in application processing.
Potential candidates express their interest in immigrating to Canada by completing an online profile. This profile is assessed against the criteria of the three federal immigration programs – Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program and Canadian Experience Program. Candidates who meet the criteria are given a score by the system based on the information in their profile and are put into a pool. Those candidates with top scores get an invitation to apply for permanent residence. Express Entry also provides a link to the job bank that matches applicants/employees and employers through the job match option. In some cases, the program will allow for candidates to apply for work permit extensions.
For more details: www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/works.html
Going through the detailed and strict requirements involved in the process to support international workers can be a challenge. Immigration lawyers or Certified Immigration Consultants can help. Ask us if you have questions!