What is an LMIA Exemption?
Normally, to hire a foreign worker, a Canadian employer must obtain a **Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)** to prove that no Canadian citizen or permanent resident is available to do the job.
However, under the **International Mobility Program (IMP)**, Canada exempts certain categories of workers from the LMIA requirement. These exemptions are categorized by unique **Exemption Codes** and aim to support broader economic, cultural, and bilateral interests.
Employer Compliance Portal Requirement: Even if you are exempt from an LMIA, your employer must still register your job offer in the official IRCC Employer Portal, submit an offer of employment, and pay a **$230 CAD employer compliance fee** before you can apply for your work permit.
📂 Compare Exemption Codes
Intra-Company Transfer (C12)
Designed for multinational corporations to temporarily transfer executive, managerial, or specialized knowledge employees to a parent, branch, affiliate, or subsidiary in Canada.
| Maximum Validity | Valid up to 7 years for executives/managers, and 5 years for specialized knowledge workers. |
| Key Recommendation | Perfect for startup founders transferring themselves from an overseas business to launch a new office in Canada. |
- Must have been employed full-time by the foreign company for at least 1 continuous year in the last 3 years.
- Must be coming to Canada to perform executive, senior managerial, or specialized knowledge work.
- The Canadian and foreign companies must have a qualifying corporate relationship (affiliate, subsidiary, branch, or parent).
⚖️ Step-by-Step Application Process
- Secure the Job Offer: Obtain a formal job offer letter detailing your salary, duties, and corporate location.
- Employer Submits Offer of Employment: Your employer logs into the **IRCC Employer Portal**, enters the specific LMIA Exemption Code (e.g. C12 or C16), uploads your details, and pays the **$230 CAD compliance fee**. They will receive an **Offer of Employment Number** (starts with 'A').
- Submit Work Permit Application: Apply online via your IRCC portal. Input the Offer of Employment Number, upload your credentials (degrees, reference letters, language test scores), and pay the **$155 CAD work permit processing fee**.
- Biometrics & Decision: Provide biometrics if required. Once approved, you will receive a Letter of Introduction (LOI) to present at the Port of Entry (border/airport) to print your physical work permit.
Top Exemption Codes
| C12 | Intra-Company Transfer |
| C16 | Francophone Mobility |
| C10 | Significant Benefit |
| C11 | Entrepreneurs |