Canada Introduces New LMIA-Exempt Work Permit for Tech Talent

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has unveiled a new work permit under the Innovation Stream of the International Mobility Program (IMP). This initiative is part of the Tech Talent Strategy launched in 2023, aimed at attracting skilled talent to enhance Canada’s position as a global tech leader.

New LMIA-Exempt Work Permit for Tech Companies

Skilled foreign workers who receive job offers from employers involved in the Global Hypergrowth Project can now apply for an employer-specific work permit. The government has identified eight companies as industry leaders and innovators with significant potential. Eligible workers will be able to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)-exempt work permit.

Note: An LMIA is typically a document required by the Canadian government to support the issuance of some employer-specific work permits. It is issued by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and assesses the impact of hiring a foreign worker on the Canadian labour market.

Eligibility Criteria for New LMIA-Exempt Work Permit for Tech Innovators

To qualify for a work permit under the Innovation Stream, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Job Offer: Have a job offer from an employer participating in the Global Hypergrowth Project (GHP).
High-Skilled Occupation: The job offer must be in a high-skilled occupation, classified under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) categories 0, 1, 2, or 3.
Education and Experience: Possess the necessary education and experience as specified in the employment requirements section of the NOC for the intended occupation.

This stream is open to eligible applicants both inside and outside of Canada. Applicants may qualify for faster processing times if the occupation they have been hired for falls under TEER categories 0 or 1 of the NOC.

Employer Requirements

Before applicants can submit their application to the Innovation Stream, their employers must:

Submit an offer of employment
Pay a $230 CAD employer compliance fee
Provide the employee (or potential employee) with an offer of employment number

Participating LMIA-Exempt Employers

The Canadian government has identified the following employers as aligning with their “industrial innovation goals”:

Ada Support Inc. (Toronto): AI-driven customer service platform
AlayaCare: AI-powered home care management platform
CellCarta (Montreal): Precision medicine and biomarker research
Clarius Mobile Health (British Columbia): Wireless ultrasound technology
Clio (Burnaby): Cloud-based legal practice management software
Duchesnay Pharmaceutical Group (Blainville): Innovative medicines developer
Lightspeed Commerce (Montreal): Retail and restaurant management solutions
Vive Crop Protection (Mississauga): Advanced crop protection products

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Recent Changes to Work Permits and LMIAs

This new permit comes amid recent restrictions on work permits and LMIAs:

As of August 26, the Canadian government suspended processing of low-wage LMIAs in census metropolitan areas (CMAs) with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher. Exceptions are made for jobs in food security sectors, construction, and healthcare.
The government has also rolled back temporary COVID-era policies that allowed some visitors to apply for job-supported work permits from within Canada. While visitors can still apply for other types of work permits within the country, they may no longer apply for job-supported work permits, with or without an LMIA.

These recent changes highlight Canada’s targeted approach to immigration, focusing on attracting highly skilled talent in specific sectors while managing overall immigration levels.

Need Help?

Navigating Canada’s evolving tech immigration landscape can be complex. That’s where ELAAR Immigration Consultancy’s expertise becomes invaluable. Keshav Sharma, a licensed Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), leads our team of experienced professionals who specialize in cases just like yours.

Our experts are well-versed in the intricacies of the new LMIA-exempt work permit for tech innovators, as well as other pathways to work and live in Canada. We can guide you through: