Employer Specific Work Permit
In general, a foreign worker, who is not a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident requires a work permit to work legally in Canada. There are some occupations which are exempted from requiring a work permit. However, mostly a work is required from Immigration, refugee, and Citizenship Canada. in most cases, he or she will need to obtain a work permit from Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
Hiring a foreign worker is a critical question for government of Canada and Canadian employers. It is necessary to evaluate the impact of recruitment of a foreign worker on the labour market in Canada, that is why, a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), is required before submission of a work permit for a foreign worker.
LMIA application is submitted to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)/Service Canada which determines the Canadian labour market will be positively or negatively impacted by the employment of the foreign worker. A LMIA may be required in order for a work permit to be issued.
It is a comprehensive process which starts by the recruitment efforts done by the employer to hire a Canadian first, and if the position is not fulfilled by the Canadians then only it can be offered to foreign nationals.
Based on the opinion of ESDC, if a positive LMIA is issued then the foreign worker can apply for a work permit to IRCC.
