Foreign Worker Without LMIA Visa
A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), originally known as a Labour Market Opinion (LMO), is a study published by Economic and Social Development Canada (ESDC) that examines the effects of employing a migrant worker in Canada.
What Is LMIA Exemption?
When receiving an LMIA from a Canadian business to hire a temporary foreign worker is not acceptable, there is a situation known as an LMIA-exemption. ESDC and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) jointly maintain a database of LMIA exemptions organised under the International Mobility Programme.
A positive LMIA states that a temporary foreign worker is required, whereas a negative LMIA states that a Canadian should fill the position. Although a temporary foreign worker must have an LMIA in order to be hired by a Canadian business, there are a number of exceptions to this rule.
Benefits
- There are different categories of foreign employees under the International Mobility Program that do not need an LMIA to work in Canada.
- These employees are usually working in high-priority positions and are thus excluded from the LMIA.
- Foreign nationals in particular cases, such as wives of qualified foreign employees, can also be exempted from receiving an LMIA document.
- Without an LMIA document, the spouses and common-law partners of some visa holders or immigration applicants may work in Canada.
- If they come under the Canadian Interests group, foreign employees can work in Canada without an LMIA. Such employees provide Canada with a major edge or find themselves in unusual job conditions.