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Source verified August 14, 2026
Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) — Express Entry
Support skilled workers’ permanent residency
Latest source updateLast Update: October 11, 2026Latest change: Canada updated the refusal-to-process table for low-wage CMA positions and added new employer registration certificate instructions for certain provinces.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: October 11, 2026
Latest change: Canada updated the refusal-to-process table for low-wage CMA positions and added new employer registration certificate instructions for certain provinces.
LMIA refusal rules and employer document requirements updated
The Refusal to process a Labour Market Impact Assessment application page now shows the low-wage CMA refusal table updated for applications submitted from October 9, 2026 to January 7, 2027, with the next table update scheduled for January 8, 2027. The Business legitimacy page now requires the employer registration certificate to remain valid until the LMIA decision, or longer if provincial rules require, and it clarifies that British Columbia applicants do not submit the certificate with the application but must have the business name on the public registry of active employer registrations.
Funding available
Varies by project
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Canada
Who can apply
Employers who wish to hire skilled foreign workers and support their permanent resident visa application.
See full eligibility
Overview
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program guides Canadian employers and authorized third-party representatives submitting Labour Market Impact Assessment applications to hire temporary foreign workers in Canada when needed. It covers high-wage and low-wage positions, recruitment and advertisement, wages, business legitimacy, working conditions, housing, transportation, health insurance, and LMIA processing rules.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Attract or retain talent
- Obtain certifications or accreditations
- Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Sole proprietorship
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- All industries
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- All dimensions
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 1
Documents Needed
- A valid provincial employer registration certificate, or proof of exemption, if hiring temporary foreign workers in British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan or Nova Scotia.
Official resources
Program guide
Application form
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Employers who wish to hire skilled foreign workers and support their permanent resident visa application.
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 that have been found non-compliant as result of an employer compliance review, banned from the Temporary Foreign Worker Program because non-compliance was discovered during an inspection, or in default of payment of an administrative monetary penalty.
- Employers that are new and have not been in business for a minimum of 1 year.
- Employers hiring workers who intend to reside in the province of Quebec.
Eligible geographic areas
- Rural areas outside census metropolitan areas (CMAs) in participating provinces and territories.
- Economic regions of Montréal and Laval.
How to apply
- Apply using LMIA Online.
- Canadian employers need to have a payroll account number associated with a business number issued by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
- Create your own user account on Job Bank.
- Register the business on Job Bank before submitting an LMIA application.
- Sign into LMIA Online using the same log-in information you use to access your Job Bank for employers account.
- Create, fill out and submit your LMIA application from the Employer Dashboard.
- Upload any required documents.
Processing and Agreement
- Service Canada will assess the LMIA application submitted by the employer to determine what impact hiring a foreign worker would have on Canada’s job market.
- Based on the application and the documents received, the Department will issue a positive or negative LMIA.
- Once the assessment process is complete, the employer will be notified in writing of the final decision of their LMIA application.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) — Express Entry Program
What is the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) — Express Entry?
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program guides Canadian employers and authorized third-party representatives submitting Labour Market Impact Assessment applications to hire temporary foreign workers in Canada when needed. It covers high-wage and low-wage positions, recruitment and advertisement, wages, business legitimacy, working conditions, housing, transportation, health insurance, and LMIA processing rules.
What is the deadline to apply?
The program is accepting continuous intake
Who is eligible for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) — Express Entry program?
To be eligible for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) — Express Entry program, you must:
The employment offered must be a full-time position with a minimum of 30 hours of work per week.
For low-wage positions, the job offer must be advertised for a minimum of 8 consecutive weeks in the 3 months before applying.
For low-wage positions, employers must target youth in recruitment efforts.
Who can I contact for more information about the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) — Express Entry?
You can contact Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) by email at EDSC.DEMANDE.FORMULAIRE.PTET-TFWP.FORM.REQUEST.ESDC@servicecanada.gc.ca or by phone at 1-800-367-5693.
Where is the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) — Express Entry available?
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) — Express Entry program is available across Canada.
Is the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) — Express Entry a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) — Express Entry is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) — Express Entry?
Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) — Express Entry is funded by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)