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Canadian Work Permits, LMIA Employer Sponsorship & Open Work Permits
Foreign nationals working in Canada require an employer-specific or open work permit under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) or International Mobility Program (IMP). Employers hiring through TFWP must secure a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) proving no Canadian citizen or permanent resident was available for the job.
Key 2026 Statutory & Regulatory Checkpoints:
- High-wage vs Low-wage LMIA streams and 20% employer cap restrictions for low-wage positions.
- LMIA-exempt work permits under the International Mobility Program (C10, C11, intra-company transferees, CUSMA).
- Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWP) rules for spouses of highly skilled workers and master’s/doctoral students.
Frequently Asked Questions: Work Permits & LMIA
An LMIA is a document issued by ESDC that an employer in Canada may need to get before hiring a foreign worker, confirming that hiring a foreign national will not negatively affect the Canadian labour market.
Spouses of foreign workers employed in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupations under eligible high-skilled streams qualify for a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) matching the primary worker’s visa validity.