Work Permits
In order to qualify for a Canadian work permit, you are required to have a job offer; however, there are exceptions to this general rule.
What is an LMIA?
An LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) is a document from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) that a Canadian employer must obtain to hire a temporary foreign worker.
The officer will consider the impact of hiring a foreign worker on the Canadian labour market and if the employer’s request is approved, a foreign national will be allowed to apply for a work permit to work for this particular employer. A positive LMIA confirms there is a need for a foreign worker because no Canadian citizens or permanent residents are available to fill the job.
Certain situations are exempt from requiring an LMIA, such as those based on reciprocal agreements, significant benefits to Canada, or international treaties. Examples include intra-company transfers, open work permits, and work related to charitable or religious activities.
Francophone Mobility Work Permit
The Francophone Mobility Program is a special Canadian work permit program designed to attract French-speaking foreign workers to work in provinces and territories outside of Quebec.
This type of work permit application does not need an LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) – this is a major benefit.
To be eligible, you must:
- Have a job offer in any TEER category outside of Quebec (unless the offer of employment is for a job in a primary agriculture occupation under TEER 4 and 5)
- Prove that your speaking and listening skills in French are at a level 5 or higher in the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) scale.
- Meet the general eligibility requirements for a work permit
TEF Canada scores equivalency to NCLC 5:
- Listening: 352-392
- Speaking: 387-421
TCF Canada scores equivalency to NCLC 5:
- Listening: 369-397
- Speaking: 6
Steps your Canadian employer must take before you can apply for a work permit:
- Submit a job offer to IRCC via the Employer Portal (a portal for employers who hire temporary workers) using the code confirming that you do not need an LMIA – C16 (Mobilité Francophone).
- Pay the 230 CAD fee via the Employer Portal.
- Provide you with a seven-digit job offer number, which is required for your work permit application.
We support Francophone Mobility Work Permit applications. If you are an employer or an employee and would like to discuss the application process further, please contact us at bulantseva.immigration@gmail.