Temporary Foreign Worker Program — Express Entry
grant_single|update February 12, 2025
Canada
Hire skilled foreign workers immigrating to Canada
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|noCondition
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Other Support
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Health care and social assistance
grant_single|grantors
- Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
- Government of Canada
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
When qualified Canadians or permanent residents are not available, you could hire a foreign worker on a temporary basis, while also supporting that worker's permanent resident visa application. The job offer you make must meet the criteria of one of the e
grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program — Express Entry provides support to employers in Canada seeking to hire skilled foreign workers and assist their transition towards obtaining permanent residency. Financing modalities include fees and costs related to the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) application process.
- Employers must pay a processing fee of $1,000 for each position requested in a dual intent LMIA application.
- No refund for processing fees will be issued for negative LMIA decisions or if the application is withdrawn or cancelled, except if fees were collected in error.
- Employers are prohibited from recovering the processing fee from foreign workers.
- Transportation costs must be covered by employers for low-wage positions, ensuring the TFW's travel to and from their country of residence.
- Employers must provide or ensure the availability of suitable and affordable housing for low-wage TFWs.
- Private health insurance must be purchased by employers to cover TFWs during periods not covered by provincial/territorial health insurance, the cost of which must not be recovered from the TFWs.
- Online banking is available as a payment method for LMIA fees in certain cases, which is secure and fast, offered through most Canadian financial institutions.
grant_single_labels|projects
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program — Express Entry assists in filling labour shortages by allowing employers to hire foreign skilled workers temporarily while supporting their permanent residency application in Canada. Eligible activities include job offers under various economic immigration programs that align with specific criteria.
- Job offers for positions in management, professional, scientific, technical, or trade occupations under TEER categories 0/1/2/3 of the NOC.
- Providing employment for at least one year on a full-time basis.
- Ensuring positions are non-seasonal and meet specific program requirements.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$ 2,500
Hiring a foreign chef for a new specialty restaurant
$ 4,000
Hiring a senior marketing strategist for a cooperative
$ 3,500
Recruiting a bioengineer for a research project at a Montreal NPO
$ 4,500
Bringing an IT expert to Vancouver for a tech startup expansion
$ 2,500
Hiring an experienced welder for a manufacturing company
$ 5,000
Acquiring a data scientist for a Montreal based healthcare startup
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for participating in the Temporary Foreign Worker Program — Express Entry is governed by specific criteria for employers.
- Employers must not be embassies, high commissions, or consulates in Canada.
- Employers must not be on the ineligible employers list maintained by IRCC.
- Employers must have been in business for a minimum of 1 year.
- Employers cannot hire workers intending to reside in Quebec under this program.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Employers who can apply to hire temporary foreign workers (TFWs) under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program — Express Entry are those looking to fill skilled positions when Canadian citizens or permanent residents are not available. These employers include:- Businesses in Canada meeting labour needs with higher-skilled positions classified under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER 0/1/2/3.- Companies offering full-time, non-seasonal jobs for a minimum of one year.- Organizations supporting a foreign worker's permanent residency application through programs such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, or Canadian Experience Class.- Employers who are not new businesses (i.e., in operation for at least one year) and are not listed as ineligible by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).Employers are ineligible if they are:- Embassies, high commissions, or consulates in Canada.- Hiring foreign workers for positions expected to reside in Quebec.- On the IRCC’s list of ineligible employers.For specific cases regarding positions in Quebec, employers should refer to the Quebec Skilled Worker Program.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
Certain restrictions apply to the eligibility for this grant, focusing on the nature and status of the hiring entity. Specific limitations are imposed to ensure that offers are made by credible and compliant organizations.
- Embassies, high commissions, or consulates in Canada.
- Companies listed as ineligible employers by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
- New companies that have not been in business for at least one year.
- Employers hiring workers who plan to reside in the province of Quebec.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
This grant involves hiring skilled foreign workers to support their application for permanent residency by making eligible job offers under specific economic immigration programs. The activities ensure alignment with TEER levels of the National Occupational Classification and specific working conditions.
- Making job offers for TEER 0/1/2/3 positions under the Federal Skilled Worker Program or Canadian Experience Class.
- Offering positions in eligible skilled trades or technical occupations under the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
- Applying for a dual intent Labour Market Impact Assessment to facilitate temporary employment while a permanent residency application is processed.
- Ensuring job offers meet full-time, non-seasonal criteria and are for at least one year's duration.
- Providing employment durations of up to 3 years through LMIA for high-wage positions.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
This grant program does not specify eligible geographical areas within the provided context. It appears to be applicable nationwide across Canada, except for certain exclusions mentioned regarding the province of Quebec.
grant_single_labels|criteria
There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant:
- The employer must offer a job under one of the listed economic immigration programs.
- The job offer must meet specific criteria for each program, such as job types, hours of work, duration, and nature of the position.
grant_single_labels|apply
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grant_single_labels|otherInfo
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program — Express Entry includes essential considerations for participating employers:
- Employers must comply with restrictions related to recruiting temporary foreign workers and are not allowed to charge recruitment fees to the workers.
- The language requirements for job positions are typically limited to English or French unless a proper justification is provided.
- Employers should ensure that foreign workers hired for regulated occupations have the necessary certifications or licenses or are likely to obtain them upon arrival in Canada.
- For dual intent LMIA applications, employers must develop and adhere to a transition plan describing efforts to hire and train Canadians or permanent residents.
- By September 26, 2024, employers submitting dual intent LMIA applications for low-wage positions must provide suitable, affordable housing and pay round-trip transportation costs for temporary foreign workers.
- LMIA applications for low-wage positions in areas with a high unemployment rate (6% or higher) may be affected, with some applications not being processed starting September 2024.
- Employers need to be aware of limits or caps on the proportion of low-wage temporary foreign workers they can hire, which varies depending on the industry sector.
- Health insurance coverage must be provided by the employer for any period not covered by provincial or territorial health insurance.
- Employers are required to update TFW wages annually in accordance with the prevailing wage published by Job Bank.
Apply to this program
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