Infographic: Employer compliance inspections

For employers hiring temporary foreign workers through the International Mobility Program

An employer compliance inspection

• verifies that you are meeting your obligations when hiring foreign workers
• can happen anytime during the foreign worker’s employment or up to 6 years after a work permit is issued
• may include an on-site component, during which inspectors may interview anyone relevant to the inspection and check records
• requires that you have accurate records demonstrating compliance with immigration and labour laws
• will result in non-compliance if you don’t cooperate, ignore calls and messages

During the employment period

• have the required documents ready to show compliance
• make sure job duties, pay, and work conditions match the employment agreement, and the offer in the Employer Portal
• submit a voluntary disclosure to inform IRCC of any potential non-compliance with program conditions
• keep records if a worker didn’t work for you or left before their work permit expired
• post “Get to Know Your Rights” where workers can easily access it

If found non-compliant

• you’ll have an opportunity to share your account of the situation
• you have 30 days to pay the fine or set up payment arrangements
• penalties depend on the severity of non-compliance. Your business will be added to the public list of non-compliant employers if you receive a fine or a program ban

Additional resources

• A QR code that, when scanned, opens the employer compliance inspections page.
• Employer compliance inspection
• Employer Portal user guide – Canada.ca
• To report visa overstays or immigration violations, call the CBSA Border Watch Line at 1-888-502-9060.