Additional Requirements and Fees Coming Soon for LMIA Exempt Work Permit Applications

Beginning February 21, 2015, employers applying for work permits for foreign nationals who are exempt from the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process will be required to submit additional information about their business. LMIA-exempt work permit applications will also be subject to an additional processing fee of CAD$230. 

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) yesterday announced the new requirements and fees for the International Mobility Program – the LMIA exempt work permit program that includes intracompany transferees and permits issued under free trade agreements such as NAFTA. CIC is holding a briefing on the changes, which Fragomen is attending, on February 16. CIC is expected to release details about what additional corporate information will be required for LMIA-exempt work permit applications, and how to pay the additional fees, during that briefing. We will follow the briefing with a client alert on the additional information. 

The additional fee is expected to fund additional compliance efforts. As reported previously, employers can expect higher scrutiny in the hiring and treatment of foreign workers under all immigration programs. 

Additional Fee for Open Work Permits 

CIC also announced the introduction of an additional processing fee of CAD$100 for individuals applying for open work permits. In general, open work permits allow holders to work for any employer and are used by individuals who apply under the working holiday classification of the International Experience Canada program or the Post Graduate Work Permit Program; by spouses and common-law partners of foreign workers and international students; and by certain permanent residence applicants who are already in Canada. 

What This Means for Employers 

CIC’s newest announcement serves as yet another reminder that employers hiring foreign workers can expect increased immigration compliance efforts and government enforcement actions. LMIA-exempt work permit applications may also take longer to prepare as a result of the new requirements. 

Fragomen is holding a conference call at 12pm EST on Thursday, February 12, during which we will discuss the new requirements for LMIA-exempt work permit applications and the new Express Entry permanent residence program. Updated invitations will be sent out shortly. 

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected]. 

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