Temporary Foreign Worker Program — Express Entry
Canada
Hire skilled foreign workers immigrating to Canada
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|noCondition
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateFebruary 18, 2021
grant_single|financingType
Other Support
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- grant_single|allIndustries
grant_single|grantors
- Government of Canada
- Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
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|projects
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$5,000
Acquiring a data scientist for a Montreal based healthcare startup
$4,000
Hiring a senior marketing strategist for a cooperative
$2,500
Hiring a foreign chef for a new specialty restaurant
$4,500
Bringing an IT expert to Vancouver for a tech startup expansion
$2,500
Hiring an experienced welder for a manufacturing company
$3,500
Recruiting a bioengineer for a research project at a Montreal NPO
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for employers to make a job offer under the immigration programs is determined by specific criteria.
- The employer must not be an embassy, high commission, or consulate in Canada.
- The employer must not be on the list of ineligible employers maintained by IRCC.
- The employer must have been in business for a minimum of 1 year.
- The employer must not be hiring workers who intend to reside in the province of Quebec.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
There are eligible types of companies to hire skilled foreign workers under the Express Entry system for supporting their permanent residency application:
- Companies offering jobs in positions of NOC TEER 0/1/2/3
- Companies offering skilled trade or technical occupations (NOC TEER 2/3)
- Companies offering management, professional, scientific, technical, or trade occupations
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This grant is unavailable to certain companies due to their organizational status or operational activities. Restrictions are in place to align with immigration policies and ensure fair use of the Labour Market Impact Assessment.
- Embassies, high commissions, or consulates in Canada.
- Companies listed as ineligible employers by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
- Businesses that have not been operational for at least one year.
- Employers hiring workers intending 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_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|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:
- Step 1: Verify Eligibility
- Ensure your business is eligible by confirming it is not an embassy, high commission, consulate, on the IRCC ineligible list, new (less than 1 year in business), or hiring for Quebec.
- Step 2: Job Offer Preparation
- Prepare a job offer that meets the criteria of one of the economic immigration programs: FSWP, FSTP, or CEC.
- Verify the job position is in NOC TEER 0/1/2/3 and includes full-time, non-seasonal work for at least one year.
- Step 3: Recruitment and Advertisement
- Conduct recruitment efforts to show there are no qualified Canadians or permanent residents available for the job.
- Advertise the job as per the required standards set out by the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
- Step 4: Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) Application
- Compile necessary documentation for the LMIA application, including proof of recruitment efforts and job offer details.
- Submit the LMIA application to Service Canada, along with the processing fee.
- Step 5: Dual Intent LMIA
- If applicable, request a dual intent LMIA to support the foreign worker’s temporary work permit and permanent residence application.
- Step 6: Application Submission
- Ensure all documents are complete and accurate.
- Submit the final application package online or by mail, as required by the specific guidelines of the processing center.
- Step 7: Await Decision
- Monitor communications from Service Canada regarding the status of your LMIA application.
- Be prepared to respond to additional requests for information if necessary.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for hiring skilled foreign workers under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program:
- The policy changes from April 1, 2021, eliminated special provisions for "owner/operator" applications, aligning them with standard application processes.
- The employment duration for high-wage positions through the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) can now be requested for up to three years and may be extended in exceptional cases if justified.
- Employers hiring ineligible under these programs include those on the IRCC's ineligible employers list, new businesses under one year old, and those intending to have employees reside in Quebec.
- For applicants who are ineligible to hire or support skilled foreign workers under these programs, alternative options or modifications must be sought.
Apply to this program
Assisting Employers in Hiring Skilled Foreign Workers
The grant assists Canadian employers in hiring skilled foreign workers, facilitating their permanent residency journey. By offering support in processes such as the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), it aims to address labour shortages in specialized fields.
Detailed Insights on the Grant Supporting Skilled Labour Immigration
The Government of Canada recognizes the significant role that foreign workers play in fulfilling critical labour market demands when qualified Canadians and permanent residents are not available. To this end, employers can leverage the grant designed to support the hiring and permanent residency journey of skilled foreign workers. This grant is especially pertinent for companies looking to tap into global talent pools, providing them the necessary framework to extend job offers under Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Express Entry system. Here, employers can select from economic immigration programs including the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class, each with specific eligibility criteria aimed at streamlining the pathway to permanent residence for skilled workers.
The grant is structured to address the immediate and strategic labour needs of employers by facilitating the recruitment of qualified foreign workers through a dual intent Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This process allows employers to simultaneously support applications for both a permanent resident visa and a temporary work permit. By doing so, it offers a comprehensive approach that aligns with employers' immediate workforce requirements while also supporting long-term business growth through sustained skilled labour inputs.
This initiative is also tailored to ensure compliance with the national occupation classifications as outlined in NOC 2021, ensuring that job offers are rooted in accurately defined roles and responsibilities across TEER categories. Employers must extend offers for full-time, non-seasonal positions that meet necessary duration and wage requirements, reflecting fair and equitable treatment under Canadian employment standards. Notably, the program’s emphasis on non-seasonality underscores the strategic goal of fostering permanent economic residency and bolstering Canada’s skilled workforce network long-term.
Part of the grant’s utility lies in its flexibility and responsiveness to changing labour dynamics, such as the eligibility to modify employment duration in the LMIA applications based on the company’s evolving needs. This flexibility empowers companies to plan strategically, ensuring that their labour needs are met efficiently even amidst fluctuating market conditions. Additionally, by allowing employers to hire workers temporarily while their permanent residency applications process, the grant reinforces the dual benefits of immediate and potential future workforce stabilization.
Ultimately, the grant represents a significant opportunity for Canadian employers to enhance their operational capacity through the inclusion of skilled foreign workers, thereby contributing to their own growth while aiding Canada's broader economic integration goals. It supports a structured approach to human resource management by connecting employers to a global talent pool and positioning them for sustained competitive advantage in the market. Employers are thus encouraged to engage with this grant opportunity by aligning their hiring strategies with the stipulations outlined, thereby harnessing international expertise to meet domestic demands and propel future business success.
