Program delivery update: Work permits issued to seafood-processing workers
This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.
December 5, 2018
In 2016, Employment and Social Development Canada asked Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to provide officers with processing requirements to expedite the applications of seafood-processing workers (seasonal fish-plant workers) who are exempt from the low-wage cap, due to local labour conditions. These workers should be issued Labour Market Impact Assessments, with a maximum work duration of 180 consecutive days from entry to Canada.
There are 2 peak seasons for the seafood-processing industry, 1 in the spring (May to June) and another in the fall (November to December), so officers see surges in work permit applications during these periods.
The procedures for expedited processing that are outlined in these program delivery instructions are in place until the end of December 2019.