Who you can hire
Under the International Mobility Program (IMP), you can hire a temporary foreign worker without a labour market impact assessment (LMIA).
Workers who don’t need an LMIA
You don’t need an LMIA to hire these workers:
Workers with a work permit exemption
Some examples include:
Workers who have an open work permit
This means the worker can work for anyone in Canada, except for employers that either
- are on the list of employers who don’t meet their responsibilities, or
- regularly offer striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages
Some examples of workers eligible for an open work permit include:
- permanent residence applicants with a bridging open work permit
- Indigenous people separated by Canada’s border
- post-graduation work permit holders
- spouses or common-law partners of international students
- family members of some foreign workers
- applicants in the Working Holiday category of International Experience Canada (IEC)
Workers eligible for an employer-specific work permit (LMIA-exempt)
Some examples include:
- French-speaking workers outside Quebec
- Global Skills Strategy applicants (if the job is LMIA-exempt)
- applicants in these categories of IEC:
- Young Professionals
- International Co-op (Internship)
- workers under a free trade agreement
Work permit extension for workers in Quebec
Starting March 13, 2026, your worker may be eligible for a labour market impact assessment (LMIA) exemption.
Before you hire
Check if you need an LMIA if you’re not sure if you need one.
Workers can also answer a few questions to find out
- if they need a work permit
- which type of work permit is right for them
- if there are special instructions for them to apply
If you need an LMIA
You cannot hire through IMP. Instead, you must hire through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.