Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program in Canada

With the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), Canadian employers can hire temporary foreign workers. The TFWP allows Canadian employers to hire temporary foreign workers for positions that couldn’t be filled by Canadian citizens or permanent residents. This program is jointly operated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).

If you wish to apply for a work permit through the TFWP, then you will require a valid job offer from a designated employer in Canada. You must also meet the admissibility requirements to enter Canada.

Employers will require a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to hire a foreign worker through the TFWP. A positive LMIA affirms that the employer has met the recruitment requirements. It also states that no Canadian citizen or permanent resident was available to fill the position offered to the temporary foreign worker. The LMIA should state an actual need for the foreign worker to fill a position critical to business operations.

The TFWP helps Canadian employers to hire foreign workers and provides foreign workers all the necessary rights and protections to work in Canada.

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How Can Canadian Employers Hire a Foreign Worker Through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program?

Canadian employers can hire a temporary foreign worker under the following streams provided by the TFWP:

High Wage Workers:

Canadian employers who want to hire highly skilled foreign workers who must be paid at or above the median hourly wage relevant to the province or territory where the business is located can apply through this stream.

Employers will be required to apply for an LMIA. The positive LMIA will reaffirm that no Canadian citizen or permanent resident was available for the position offered to the temporary foreign worker. A positive LMIA will authorize the foreign worker to apply for a work permit to the IRCC.

Low-Wage Workers:

Canadian employers who wish to hire temporary foreign workers paid less than the median hourly wage relevant to their province can apply through this stream.

They will be required to apply for an LMIA. To hire low-wage workers through this stream, the LMIA will require employers to meet certain workplace rights and safety requirements.

Once the LMIA is approved, the foreign worker can apply for a work permit before their LMIA expires.

Global Talent Stream:

The Global Talent Stream (GTS) is for businesses (employers) who want to fast-track the process of hiring a highly-skilled foreign temporary worker. The LMIA for work permits is processed faster, enabling Canadian businesses (employers) to hire faster.

Foreign Agricultural Workers:

The TFWP offers industry-specific streams for Canadian employers who want to hire temporary foreign workers in agriculture-related occupations.

Employers will be required to meet the following general requirements:

Have production of a commodity listed on Canada’s national commodity list
The job offer must be for an on-farm related occupation classified as National Occupational Classification (NOC) Codes: 0821, 0822, 8252, 8255, 8431, 8432, and 8611

If employers meet these conditions, they can hire a temporary foreign worker through the regular agricultural stream or the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP).

In-Home Caregivers:

Canadian families who want to hire a temporary foreign worker in caregiver occupations to provide services in a private residence to seniors, children or individuals with high medical needs can do so through this stream. Currently, there are 2 active streams for caregivers:

Foreign Academics:

Canadian institutions often hire foreign academics to improve the quality of education and ensure that Canadian education standards remain globally competitive.

Canadian institutions usually hire foreign workers in research positions that could be exempt from an LMIA requirement. However, if the foreign national does not qualify for an LMIA exemption, then the institution can apply through the TFWP for an LMIA.

How Can Canadian Employers Hire Temporary Foreign Workers Without an LMIA?

Canadian Employers can hire a temporary foreign worker without applying for an LMIA through the International Mobility Program (IMP). The IMP enables employers to hire temporary foreign workers without requiring an LMIA. The LMIA exemption is based on the following criteria:

Economic, cultural or other significant advantages for Canada
Reciprocal advantages enjoyed by Canadian citizens and permanent residents

Employers can also expedite the processing of work authorization applications through the Global Skills Strategy for foreign workers in certain positions.

However, foreign workers must be applying from outside the country. Also, foreign workers must meet 1 of the following conditions:

Employed in an occupation classified as National Occupational Classification (NOC) Skill level 0 or A
Have a positive LMIA issued through the GTS of the TFWP

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Temporary Foreign Worker Program

Quebec has significant autonomy over its immigration policy. Therefore, if you want to work in Quebec, there are certain distinctions:

Apply in French, except for caregiver positions
Get approved by both provincial and federal authorities

In some cases, employers in Quebec can obtain an LMIA exemption if the foreign worker they are hiring meets 1 of the following conditions:

Valid work permit
Have a Certificate of Selection (CSQ)
Residing in Quebec
Applied for the permanent resident under the Quebec Skilled Worker Program
Have facilitated LMIA that allows the employer to hire a foreign worker without meeting the recruitment criteria

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We hope that you found this resource topic informative, interesting and useful.

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Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program

How Can Canadian Employers Hire a Foreign Worker Through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program?

High Wage Workers:

Low-Wage Workers:

Global Talent Stream:

Foreign Agricultural Workers:

In-Home Caregivers:

Foreign Academics:

How Can Canadian Employers Hire Temporary Foreign Workers Without an LMIA?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Temporary Foreign Worker Program

Can a temporary foreign worker apply through TFWP to work in Quebec?

Questions About Immigration? My Visa Source Has Answers.

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Planning on entering the United States or Canada this year or in 2025? Avoid potential issues by consulting with a licensed immigration professional. Book a consulation today! Learn More

Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program

How Can Canadian Employers Hire a Foreign Worker Through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program?

High Wage Workers:

Low-Wage Workers:

Global Talent Stream:

Foreign Agricultural Workers:

In-Home Caregivers:

Foreign Academics:

How Can Canadian Employers Hire Temporary Foreign Workers Without an LMIA?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Temporary Foreign Worker Program

Can a temporary foreign worker apply through TFWP to work in Quebec?

Questions About Immigration? My Visa Source Has Answers.

Do You Have an Immigration Challenge That Needs Legal Help?

1-(888)-509-1987

Read More About:

See What Our Clients Are Experiencing

Overall Planned Canadian Permanent Resident Admissions

Your Source For Everything Immigration

Media

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR IMMIGRATION MAGAZINE

Planning on entering the United States or Canada this year or in 2025? Avoid potential issues by consulting with a licensed immigration professional. Book a consulation today!