If you are looking for a way to move to Canada for work in a hurry, look no further than the International Mobility Program. Using this program, Canadian employers can hire foreign workers without the need for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This makes it much easier to get your visa and move to Canada in just 2 weeks!
The International Mobility Program is also great for post-graduates who want to work in Canada after graduation. With the Post Graduation Work Permit, international students can gain valuable Canadian work experience.
What is International Mobility Program?
International Mobility Program is a way for Canadian employers to hire foreign workers without Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). International Mobility Program includes international agreements such as NAFTA, Worker mobility, International experience Canada and Post-Graduation Work Permit.
The International Mobility Program (IMP) also cover countries with International Agreements with Canada: International Agreements refers to the trade and cooperation between Canada and other countries. These agreements enables International students, International graduates and other workers to move to Canada quickly.
In addition, International Mobility Program allows International students who have completed their studies in Canada, apply for a work permit without requiring a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Highlights of Canada’s International Mobility Program (IMP)
- International Mobility Program allows Canadian employers to hire foreign workers without the need for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
- International students can gain valuable Canadian work experience with a Post Graduation Work Permit, facilitated by Canada’s IMP.
- International student graduates can apply for permanent residence under the Express Entry program. This gives them an additional 600 points towards their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.
- Processing time for the International Mobility Program is just two weeks. May be less or longer, depending on the visa office.
- Under the IMP, certain positions are exempt from requiring a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). International students and foreign workers should seek out these LMIA-exempt positions.
- IMP is also very suitable for professional from one of the NAFTA countries (U.S., Mexico, or Canada).
- The IMP is also applicable to temporary workers entering Canada as part of trade treaties. Example: Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) and the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA). It also include those coming to work in Canada under intra-company transferees.
Who is eligible for IMP?
The following conditions define people who are eligible to apply for Canada’s International Mobility Program (IMP).
- Young people within the ages of 18 to 35 years old.
- International students who have completed their studies in Canada and want to work.
- Professionals from a NAFTA country (U.S., Mexico, or Canada).
- Temporary workers entering Canada as part of trade treaties/agreements such as CUSMA and CETA, Canada-Chile FTA, Canada-Peru FTA, Canada-Colombia FTA, Canada-Korea FTA, and Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), and
- Intra-company transferees.
IMP Canada Exemptions
The International Mobility Program is open to all foreign workers, with a few exceptions. The program is not available to the following categories of workers.
- Those who are seeking refugee status in Canada.
- Foreign workers who are already working in Canada on a work permit that is exempt from a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
- International Mobility Program cannot be used by individuals who have previously worked in Canada without authorization.
- International workers whose work permits are exempt from LMIA may be eligible for International Mobility Program if they meet the above requirements.
- International students applying for Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) are also eligible to apply under International Mobility Program and can move to Canada within two weeks of their application submission.
How to Move to Canada under International Mobility Program?
There are a few steps that need to be taken in order to move to Canada under International Mobility Program.
1. Find eligible Employer
The first step to apply for Canada’s IMP is to find an eligible Canadian employer. Your employer must complete and submit an Offer of Employment form, along with other required documents, to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to get a Labour Market Impact Assessment exemption code.
International Mobility Program applies only to employers who have been exempted from the LMIA process. If you are an International Student, you do not need your employer’s assistance in applying for International Mobility Program if you are applying for PGWP.
2. Get Offer of Employment from Employer
The second step is to get an offer of employment (job offer) from your eligible Canadian employer. The offer must be in writing and include the following information:
- Job title.
- Start date.
- Salary.
- Duration of job contract.
Your employer must also provide you with a copy of their LMIA exemption code. The code is issued by the IRCC when your employer submits their offer of employment, along with other required documents, to the International Mobility Program Office at IRCC.
Eligible International Students who are seeking work permit under International Mobility Program do not need an Offer of Employment from an eligible Canadian employer if they are applying for PGWP.
3. Apply for International Mobility Program
In order to apply for International Mobility Program, you must submit an online application through the International Experience Canada (IEC) portal. The fee for IEC is $230 CAD. Do not forget to include your employer’s LMIA exemption code in your application form.
You can also use International Mobility Program to apply for International Experience Canada (IEC) Working Holiday Visa. International students who are applying for Post Graduation Work Permit do not need to use the IEC portal in order to move to Canada under International Mobility Program.
To successfully apply, you must provide all the details requested along with supporting documents required by IRCC. These include:
- Your International Mobility Program invitation from IRCC.
- A copy of your valid passport or travel document.
- Two recent photographs that meet the requirements for International Mobility Program (IMP).
- Proof of funds to support yourself in Canada i.e., bank statements, and other documents showing you have enough money to support yourself during your stay in Canada.
- Letter of Intent from your employer that includes the following information: Job title, job start date, salary grade and duration of temporary job contract.
- A copy of your offer of employment letter from your employer which must include their LMIA exemption code.
- Proof that you have a valid medical insurance policy that covers you for the duration of your stay in Canada.
Once you have submitted your application, it will be processed and you will receive a notification from IRCC once a decision has been made. If your application is approved, you will be issued with an International Mobility Program invitation letter which will allow you to travel to Canada and start working for your employer.
If you are an International Student who is applying for PGWP, you must provide a copy of your study permit and graduation certificate or letter from the school/university.
Foreign Mobility Program in various provinces of Canada
Alberta Temporary Workers Program is often used for international students and graduates of Canadian post secondary education programs, international co-op students and interns, skilled workers with an offer of employment in the province of Alberta, and their accompanying family members.
British Columbia IMP is often used for skilled temporary foreign workers with an offer of employment in the province of British Columbia, and their accompanying family members.
Manitoba International Mobility Program is often used for international students who have graduated from a Canadian post secondary education program and completed at least 50% of their studies in Manitoba, skilled workers with an offer of employment in Manitoba, and their accompanying family members.
New Brunswick Temporary Mobility Program is often used for international students who have graduated from a Canadian post secondary education program, skilled workers with an offer of employment in the province of New Brunswick, and their accompanying family members.
Nova Scotia International Mobility Program provide temporary work pathways for international students who have graduated from a Canadian post-secondary institution, skilled workers with an offer of employment in Nova Scotia and their accompanying family members
Ontario International Mobility Program helps international students who have graduated from a Canadian post secondary education program and completed at least half of their studies in Ontario, skilled workers with an offer of job in Ontario, and their accompanying family members.
Prince Edward Island IMP is used for international students who have graduated from a Canadian post secondary education program, skilled workers with an offer of employment in the province of Prince Edward Island, and their accompanying family members.
Quebec International Mobility Program – The Quebec government has its own immigration selection system known as the Quebec Experience Program.
Saskatchewan Mobility Program is often used for international students who have graduated from a Canadian post secondary education program, skilled workers with an offer of employment in Saskatchewan, and their accompanying family members.
Yukon Mobility Program is often used for international students who have graduated from a Canadian postsecondary education program, skilled workers with an offer of employment in Yukon, and their accompanying family members.
In conclusion, International Mobility Program is a great way for employers to hire foreign workers without the need for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). International students can stay in Canada after graduation as well. International graduates who have Canadian post-secondary education and work experience may be eligible for permanent immigration through Express Entry.
