As a general rule, the individuals applying for Canadian work permit need a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). In certain cased, there are a number of exemptions. The group of programs that are exempt from LMIA requirements are called International Mobility Programs.
Following individuals are except from requiring a Labour Market Opinion:
Workers covered under international agreements
- For example The Canada-United-States-Mexico-Agreement (CUSMA) work permits. This allows the professionals, entrepreneurs and investors to obtain work permits without a labor market opinion.
Legal partners and children or dependants of Foreign Workers holding a Canadian work permit.
- This is not applicable for the spouses of working holiday visa holders.
Co-op students
- When internship or work placement is a part of the educational program, the students need not to get a labor market opinion.
PhD students pursuing a post-doctoral fellowship
- Students who are pursuing a post-doctoral fellowship program at an institution in Canada. Exception is not applicable for the individuals who were granted a PhD from a Canadian university.
Intra-company Transfers
- International professionals working with the branches of a Canadian company and want to come to Canada in a managerial position do not need a labor market opinion.
Religious Workers
- International individuals who work for religious institutions or charitable organizations.
French-speaking skilled Workers
- For the international students who are French speakers and skilled workers with specialization and having a valid job offer in a province or somewhere outside Quebec are exempted from requiring LMIA.
Minister-Designated Exemptions
It works on certain circumstances and depends on the discretion of the government body of immigration.
- Recognized federal program’s sponsored Academicians
- Medical residents and fellows
Note: It is important to note that being exempted from the LMIA requirement doesn’t mean that the international individual is exempt from a work permit. You still need to obtain a work permit to legally work in Canada.
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