International Mobility Program (IMP)

The International Mobility Program lets you (the employer) hire a temporary worker without the need of an LMIA.

Generally, following are broad categories of workers who may be hired by an employer without the need of an LMIA:

• Open Work Permit holders: Open Work Permit holders have almost no restrictions on employment in Canada. They can seek employment with almost any employer. Some examples of an Open Work Permit are:
  1. a Postgraduate work permit (a work permit granted to an international student after completion of their studies),
  2. A Spouse of a skilled worker in Canada
  3. A Bridging Open Work Permit holder- someone who has already applied for PR in Canada, etc.
      
• Intra-company transferees: This category enables multi-national companies to transfer eligible employees from outside of Canada to Canada the purpose of improving management effectiveness, expanding Canadian exports, and enhancing competitiveness in overseas markets. This exemption from the need of an LMIA exists as Intra-company transferees cause transfer of new skill, knowledge and expertise to Canada. A company can seek to get qualified Intra Company transferees from any country.
• Workers under the CUSMA (Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, formerly NAFTA), or the CETA (Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement): which are usually for specific occupations for which the worker must be qualified.