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LMIA exempt Work Permits

SIIS Canada  /  Canada Immigration  /  Work  /  LMIA exempt Work Permits

LMIA exempt Work Permits

LMIA-exempt job offers – skilled immigrants (Express Entry)

In most cases, employers need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to support job offers for Express Entry but some jobs do not need an LMIA.
Your employer doesn’t need an LMIA to support your job offer if:

  • Applicant has been working full-time for the employer on your work permit for at least 1 year (or an equal amount of part-time work) and employer is offering a valid job offer.
  • Also has a valid work permit that is exempt from an LMIA under:
  • an international agreement
  • a federal-provincial agreement
  • the “Canadian interests” category

For skilled trade jobs, up to 2 employers can make a job offer can applicant must work for both those employers.

Jobs exempt from the LMIA

Some job offers may be exempt from needing an LMIA for the applicant who has applied under Express Entry, in the case if current temporary job is LMIA-exempt, states a specific employer or employers (for skilled trade jobs, up to two employers can make a job offer), and is:

  • covered by an international agreement like CUSMA or GATS, and non-trade agreements. This can include professionals, traders and investors, or an agreement between Canada and a province or territory. This includes “significant investment” projects.
  • exempt for “Canadian interests” reasons:
  • “significant benefit” – if employer can prove that employee will bring an important social, cultural, and/or economic benefit to Canada. This can include: general: Self-employed engineers, technical workers, creative and performing artists, etc.
  • workers transferred within a company (intra-company transferees with specialized knowledge) – only those that will benefit Canada with their skills and experience
  • workers under Mobilité francophone
  • reciprocal employment – lets foreign workers get jobs in Canada : general (such as professional coaches and athletes working for Canadian teams)
  • International Experience Canada – a work abroad program for youth and young professionals
  • people in exchange programs like professors and visiting lecturers
  • designated by the Minister
  • academics, including researchers, guest lecturers and visiting professors (sponsored through a recognized federal program)
  • competitiveness and public policy
  • medical residents and fellows
  • post-doctoral fellows and people who have won academic awards from Canadian schools
  • Charity and religious work (not including volunteers)

In cases where an LMIA is required for a work permit, you can find more information about LMIA-based Work Permits here.