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Source verified September 24, 2026
Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW)
Hire temporary foreign workers with LMIA support
Latest source updateLast Update: October 14, 2026Latest change: The Temporary Foreign Worker Program now includes new employer, representative, and abuse-free workplace requirements, along with updated document rules for some LMIA applications.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: October 14, 2026
Latest change: The Temporary Foreign Worker Program now includes new employer, representative, and abuse-free workplace requirements, along with updated document rules for some LMIA applications.
TFW application rules updated
The program requirements page now adds a new employer definition and assessment criteria for LMIA applications, including employer-worker relationship factors, misclassification rules, and consequences for non-compliance. It also adds detailed instructions for third-party representatives, recruiter responsibilities, and a review requirement for some employers who have not used the program in the past 6 years. The apply page for the Recognized Employer Pilot also changed: employer registration certificates must remain valid until the LMIA decision, and British Columbia applicants no longer need to submit the certificate if their business name appears on the public registry of active employer registrations.
Funding available
Varies by project
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Quebec, Canada
Overview
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program helps Canadian employers hire temporary foreign workers for temporary jobs when qualified Canadians and permanent residents are not available, generally through a Labour Market Impact Assessment. It covers hiring across streams such as high-wage and low-wage positions, primary agriculture, caregivers, foreign academics, and roles that support permanent residency.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Attract or retain talent
- Increase production or service capacity
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Quebec
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 1
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Employers
Who is not eligible
- Employers that regularly offer services in the sex industry, including striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massage.
- Employers on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada ineligibility list, including employers found non-compliant as a result of an employer compliance review and employers banned from the Temporary Foreign Worker Program because non-compliance was discovered during an inspection.
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Selection criteria
- Consistency of the job offer with federal, provincial or territorial agreements.
- Genuineness of the job offer, including whether the employer is actively engaged in the related business, the job matches the employer’s employment needs, the employer can fulfil the job offer terms, and the employer or third-party representative complies with relevant employment and recruitment legislation.
- Whether the job’s language requirement is limited to English or French, unless another language is a bona fide requirement.
- The impact of hiring a temporary foreign worker on the labour market, including wages and working conditions offered, the occupation, recruitment and advertisement efforts, benefits to the labour market, consultations with the appropriate union, and the effect on the settlement of a labour dispute.
How to apply
- Check if you need an LMIA.
- Post a job on Job Bank.
Processing and Agreement
- Service Canada assesses the LMIA application and issues a positive or negative LMIA decision.
- The assessment process includes verifying the consistency of the job offer with federal, provincial or territorial agreements, the genuineness of the job offer, language requirements, and the labour market impact.
- Service Canada may temporarily suspend LMIA processing when there is reason to suspect non-compliance that would put the health or safety of temporary foreign workers at serious risk.
- Once a decision is made in LMIA Online, the employer and third-party contact, if applicable, receive an email advising that a decision has been made and must log in to view the letter.
- If the LMIA is positive, the employer must provide the temporary foreign worker with the LMIA letter and Annex A and keep Annex B for records only.
Additional information
- The program includes multiple LMIA streams, including high-wage and low-wage positions, primary agriculture positions, applications to support permanent residency, Global Talent Stream, caregiver positions, and foreign academic positions.
- Employers must keep all relevant records for 6 years beginning on the first day of the period of employment for which the work permit was issued.
- Inspections may be on-site or virtual, announced or unannounced, and can take place up to 6 years after the temporary foreign worker has started working.
- Employers can voluntarily disclose compliance issues before an inspection is launched and may face a reduced penalty if issues are found.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) Program
What is the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW)?
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program helps Canadian employers hire temporary foreign workers for temporary jobs when qualified Canadians and permanent residents are not available, generally through a Labour Market Impact Assessment. It covers hiring across streams such as high-wage and low-wage positions, primary agriculture, caregivers, foreign academics, and roles that support permanent residency.
What is the deadline to apply?
The program is accepting continuous intake
Who is eligible for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) program?
To be eligible for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) program, you must:
The applicant must be a Canadian employer.
The employer must need to fill a temporary job.
Qualified Canadians or permanent residents must not be available.
Who can I contact for more information about the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW)?
You can contact Government of Canada or by phone at 1-800-367-5693.
Where is the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) available?
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) program is available the province of Quebec.
Is the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) is a Other Support
Who are the financial supporters of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW)?
Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) is funded by Government of Canada