International Mobility Program (IMP)
International Mobility Program (IMP) allows Canadian employers to hire temporary foreign workers to work in Canada without obtaining a Labour Market Impact Assessment from ESDC. Canadian employers are exempted from the requirement to get an LMIA if hiring the foreign worker is based on:
broader economic, cultural or other competitive advantages for Canada; and
reciprocal benefits enjoyed by Canadians and permanent residents.
Canadian Immigration law provides specific situations where based on International agreements or arrangements, or humanitarian reasons foreign workers can apply for a work permits in Canada without an LMIA. These situations are captured by LMIA exemption streams (via unique administrative codes) described in more details below:
Canada has entered in a number of international agreements with other countries that allow Canadian employers hire foreign workers without a need of obtaining an LMIA. International Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) contain provisions that facilitate, on a reciprocal basis, temporary entry for business persons. In other words, under these international Free Trade Agreements admission of foreign workers is considered of significant benefit to Canada and each Free Trade Agreement encompasses a range of LMIA-exemptions, for example:
The Free Trade Agreements with Chile, Peru, Columbia, and Korea, as well as CUSMA (Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement) allow temporary entry to business visitors, professionals, intra-company transferees, and traders and investors.
The Canada-European Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and The Agreement on Trade Continuity between Canada and the UK (CUKTCA) allow temporary entry to business visitors, professionals, intra-company transferees and investors.
The General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) authorizes professionals and GATS intra-company transferees to enter Canada under exemption codes T33 and C12.
There is also a number of other International Free Trade Agreements between Canada and other countries that allow foreign workers to obtain work permit in Canada without an LMIA. You may find a full list of the Free Trade Agreements here:
R204: International Agreements and arrangements
A large number of Work Permits processed under International Mobility Program fall under the broad category of Canadian Interest exemptions. Indeed, IMP lets Canadian employers hire temporary foreign workers without an LMIA where there are broader economic, cultural or other competitive advantages for Canada or there are reciprocal benefits enjoyed by Canadians and permanent residents. To benefit from this type of LMIA exemption, Canadian Employer must show that the work of a foreign national will significantly benefit or provide opportunities for Canadians or permanent residents socially, culturally or economically. Some of the most frequently used LMIA-exemption codes under the R205 include:
R205: Canadian Interests
C10 - Significant benefit
C11 - Entrepreneurs: Self-employed or potential provincial nominee as an entrepreneur
C62 - Intra-company transferees (including GATS)
C13 - Emergency repair or repair personnel for out-of-warranty equipment
C14 - Television and film production workers
A75 - Permanent resident facilitation work permit categories
Caregivers under the HCCPP or HSWP
Certain Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) holders currently in Quebec
Yukon Community Pilot (YCP)
Start-up business class (SUV) permanent resident visa applicants
C21 - International Experience Canada Program
C50 or C51 - Religious or Charitable Work