LMIA-Exempt Work Permit Canada: Who May Qualify

LMIA-exempt work permit Canada rules allow certain foreign nationals to apply for Canadian work authorization without requiring their employer to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment.

Most LMIA-exempt workers are processed through the International Mobility Program, commonly called the IMP. These exemptions exist because the work may provide economic, social or cultural benefits to Canada, support international agreements or create reciprocal opportunities for Canadians.

An LMIA exemption does not automatically mean that the worker can work without a permit. In most cases, the foreign national still needs an employer-specific or open work permit.

For many employer-specific LMIA-exempt permits, the employer must submit an offer through the IRCC Employer Portal, pay the applicable compliance fee and provide the worker with an offer of employment number before the work permit application is submitted.

LMIA-Exempt Work Permit Canada: Quick Overview

What Does LMIA-Exempt Mean?

Most Canadian employers who want to hire a temporary foreign worker must first receive a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment.

An LMIA-exempt category allows the worker to apply without that labour-market assessment because the employment serves another recognized Canadian interest.

The exemption may be based on:

• An international trade agreement
• A reciprocal employment arrangement
• A significant economic, social or cultural benefit
• An agreement between the federal government and a province or territory
• Canadian academic or research interests
• Charitable or religious work
• A public policy or immigration-program objective
• Eligibility for an open work permit

The employer and worker must prove that the facts meet the exact requirements of the selected exemption.

Simply stating that a worker is “important to the company” is not enough.

LMIA-Exempt vs Work-Permit-Exempt

These terms describe different immigration rules.

For the LMIA process itself, read LMIA Canada Explained: What Workers and Employers Should Know.

What Is the International Mobility Program?

The International Mobility Program allows Canadian employers to hire eligible foreign nationals without obtaining an LMIA.

Unlike the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, which focuses on filling labour shortages after assessing the Canadian labour market, the IMP focuses on broader Canadian interests.

The program includes more than 50 exemption categories, and each category has its own eligibility rules.

The IMP can include:

• Employer-specific work permits
• Open work permits
• International agreement permits
• Reciprocal employment permits
• Significant-benefit permits
• Special public-policy permits

IRCC, not the employer, makes the final decision on whether a worker qualifies.

Common LMIA-Exempt Work Permit Categories

This table gives examples only. Eligibility cannot be determined from the category name alone.

Work Permits Under International Agreements

Canada’s trade and international agreements can provide LMIA exemptions for eligible business people from participating countries.

Depending on the agreement, categories can include:

• Professionals
• Traders
• Investors
• Intra-company transferees
• Contractual service suppliers
• Independent professionals

Examples of agreements include CUSMA, CETA, CPTPP, the Canada–Korea Free Trade Agreement and other qualifying agreements.

Each agreement has specific rules covering citizenship, occupation, education, professional experience, employer relationships and work duration.

Being a citizen of a participating country does not automatically make every Canadian job LMIA-exempt.

Significant Benefit and Intra-Company Transfer Permits

Significant Benefit

Some workers may qualify when their employment is expected to create a significant economic, social or cultural benefit for Canada.

Evidence may include:

• A strong record of professional achievement
• Industry awards or recognition
• Patents, publications or original research
• A unique skill not readily available in Canada
• Documented business growth or job creation
• Support from recognized professional organizations
• Evidence of significant cultural or social contributions

This exemption normally requires detailed evidence. A general employer letter saying the applicant is talented is unlikely to be sufficient.

Intra-Company Transferees

Eligible employees may transfer to a related Canadian company as an executive, senior manager or worker with specialized knowledge.

IRCC may assess:

• The relationship between the foreign and Canadian businesses
• The employee’s previous work with the foreign company
• The proposed Canadian role
• Whether the Canadian business is actively operating
• Whether the claimed specialized knowledge is genuine and unusual

A transfer between unrelated businesses does not qualify merely because the companies cooperate commercially.

Francophone Mobility Work Permit

Francophone Mobility helps Canadian employers hire eligible French-speaking or bilingual foreign workers for jobs outside Quebec without an LMIA.

The worker must meet the current French-language and job requirements. The employer generally must:

• Submit the offer through the Employer Portal
• Use exemption code C16
• Pay the $230 compliance fee
• Give the worker the generated offer number

The work location must generally be outside Quebec.

Speaking some French does not automatically establish eligibility. The applicant must provide acceptable evidence of language ability under the current program rules.

Reciprocal Employment and International Experience Canada

Reciprocal employment exemptions are based on Canadians receiving similar opportunities abroad.

Examples may include:

• International Experience Canada
• Academic exchanges
• Cultural exchanges
• Certain performing arts or entertainment exchanges
• Other reciprocal arrangements

IEC participants may receive either an open or employer-specific permit depending on the category.

For example, Working Holiday permits are generally open, while Young Professionals and International Co-op permits are generally employer-specific.

LMIA-Exempt Open Work Permits

Open work permits allow an eligible foreign national to work for most Canadian employers without the employer obtaining an LMIA or submitting a job-specific offer through the Employer Portal.

Examples may include eligible:

• Post-graduation work permit holders
• Bridging open work permit applicants
• Spouses or common-law partners of certain workers
• Spouses or partners of eligible international students
• Sponsored spouses or partners in Canada
• Certain refugee claimants or protected persons
• Vulnerable workers
• Working Holiday participants

Each category has separate eligibility rules. A person cannot simply choose an open work permit because they do not have a job offer.

An employer hiring someone who already holds a valid open work permit generally does not submit an Employer Portal offer or pay the employer compliance fee.

Employer Steps for an LMIA-Exempt Job

For most employer-specific IMP cases, the employer should complete these steps before the worker applies.

1. Confirm that the position qualifies for an LMIA exemption.
2. Select the correct exemption category and code.
3. Prepare the employment agreement.
4. Create or access the Employer Portal account.
5. Submit the offer of employment information.
6. Explain how the job meets the selected exemption.
7. Pay the $230 employer compliance fee or upload proof of exemption.
8. Receive the offer of employment number.
9. Give the number and employment agreement to the worker.
10. Keep records and comply with the submitted employment conditions.

How the Employer Portal Works

The Employer Portal is the IRCC system used by employers to submit job information for most employer-specific LMIA-exempt workers.

The employer may need to provide:

• Business information
• Worker information
• Job title and NOC
• Duties and responsibilities
• Work location
• Wage and benefits
• Hours of work
• Employment start and end dates
• The LMIA exemption code
• An explanation of how the exemption applies

The information should match the employment agreement and the worker’s application.

For detailed instructions, read Employer Portal Canada: How LMIA-Exempt Job Offers Work.

What Is an Offer of Employment Number?

After the employer submits the offer through the Employer Portal, the system generates an offer of employment number.

The number normally:

• Starts with the letter A
• Is followed by 7 numbers
• Is connected to one submitted job offer
• Is entered in the worker’s work permit application

The number is not a work permit, visa or approval letter.

It generally cannot be reused for another work permit application after IRCC has made a decision on the application connected to it.

Read Offer of Employment Number Canada: What the A-Number Means.

Employer Compliance Fee

The employer compliance fee is generally CAN$230 for an employer-specific LMIA-exempt offer.

The employer pays the fee when submitting the offer through the Employer Portal.

Some employers and workers qualify for a fee exemption. Depending on the exemption, the employer may:

• Submit the offer without paying the fee
• Upload evidence explaining the fee exemption
• Be exempt from both the portal submission and compliance fee

Open work permit holders do not have a job-specific Employer Portal offer, so their employer generally does not pay the fee.

See Employer Compliance Fee Canada: When It Must Be Paid.

How the Worker Applies

After the employer completes the required steps, the foreign national applies for the work permit.

The general process is:

1. Confirm the LMIA exemption category.
2. Receive the employment agreement.
3. Receive the offer of employment number where required.
4. Gather evidence supporting the exemption.
5. Complete the appropriate online application.
6. Enter the A-number in the application.
7. Pay the worker application fees.
8. Submit biometrics if required.
9. Complete a medical examination if required.
10. Wait for IRCC’s decision before beginning work unless another authorization applies.

Applying with an A-number does not guarantee approval. IRCC still assesses whether the applicant and employment meet the exemption and general work permit requirements.

Documents Commonly Required

The personalized document checklist controls, but a worker may need:

• A valid passport
• The employment agreement
• The offer of employment number
• Evidence supporting the LMIA exemption
• Education credentials
• Professional licences or certifications
• Proof of previous employment
• Company relationship documents for an intra-company transfer
• Language evidence for Francophone Mobility
• Citizenship evidence for an international agreement
• Marriage or partnership evidence for a spousal permit
• Proof of current Canadian immigration status
• Biometrics and medical examination records where required

Work-experience documents should accurately match the duties and NOC connected to the offered position.

Use NOC TEER Canada: How to Choose the Right Code and Proof of Work Experience Canada when preparing supporting evidence.

Work Permit Fees

Always check the current official fee list before payment.

An employer should not ask the worker to reimburse a compliance fee that the employer is legally responsible for paying.

Work Permit Validity and Conditions

IRCC determines the final work permit validity period.

The validity may be limited by:

• Passport expiry
• The employment agreement
• The applicable exemption category
• Maximum periods allowed under an agreement
• Medical examination validity
• Program-specific rules

An employer-specific permit may list:

• The employer
• The occupation
• The work location
• The validity period
• Medical or occupation restrictions

The worker must follow all printed conditions.

Employer Obligations Under the IMP

An employer who hires an LMIA-exempt worker must provide employment that is substantially the same as the offer submitted to IRCC.

The employer must generally:

• Provide the promised wage and benefits
• Provide the stated job and duties
• Follow federal, provincial and territorial employment laws
• Maintain a workplace free from abuse
• Keep supporting employment records for 6 years
• Cooperate with an inspection
• Report significant changes or possible non-compliance where required

IRCC may inspect employers during the employment period or for up to six years after the permit was issued.

Consequences of non-compliance can include:

• Warnings
• Administrative monetary penalties
• Temporary or permanent hiring bans
• Publication on the non-compliant employer list
• Impact on current or future foreign worker applications

Can an LMIA-Exempt Worker Change Employers?

An open work permit holder can generally change employers while the permit remains valid, subject to any occupation or medical restrictions.

An employer-specific permit holder generally cannot begin working for a different employer using the existing permit.

The new employer may need to:

• Confirm that a new LMIA exemption applies
• Submit a new Employer Portal offer
• Pay a new compliance fee
• Provide a new offer number

The worker then generally applies for a new employer-specific work permit.

Some eligible workers inside Canada can request authorization to begin the new job while IRCC processes the new permit application. Do not begin the job until that authorization or the new permit has been issued.

LMIA-Exempt Work Permits and Permanent Residence

An LMIA-exempt work permit is a temporary work authorization. It does not automatically grant permanent residence.

Canadian work experience gained under a valid permit may help an applicant qualify for immigration programs such as the Canadian Experience Class or a Provincial Nominee Program when all program requirements are met.

A qualifying employer-specific LMIA-exempt job offer may also matter for certain Express Entry eligibility rules if the applicant meets the specific job-offer conditions.

However, since March 25, 2025, Express Entry no longer awards the previous 50 or 200 additional CRS points solely for arranged employment.

An open work permit by itself is not considered a valid Express Entry job offer because it is not tied to a specific employer.

Common Refusal Reasons

Possible refusal reasons include:

• The selected LMIA exemption does not apply
• The employer submitted the offer after the worker applied
• The employer did not pay the compliance fee
• The A-number is missing, incorrect or already used
• The job duties do not match the exemption or NOC
• The applicant does not meet an international agreement’s requirements
• Insufficient evidence of significant benefit
• The foreign and Canadian companies do not have a qualifying relationship
• The applicant lacks the qualifications to perform the job
• The employer is ineligible or non-compliant
• The applicant is inadmissible
• IRCC is not satisfied that the applicant will comply with temporary-resident conditions

A refusal does not necessarily mean that a future application is impossible. The employer and worker should first identify and address the actual refusal reason.

LMIA-Exempt Job Scams and Warning Signs

LMIA-exempt applications can also be targeted by job-offer scams.

Warning signs include:

• An employer promising that every foreign worker is LMIA-exempt
• A recruiter selling an exemption code
• A fake A-number that does not match an Employer Portal submission
• A demand that the worker pay the employer compliance fee
• A promise of guaranteed work permit approval
• A job offer with no legitimate employer interview
• Duties that differ from the submitted occupation
• Requests for false language, education or company records

LMIA-Exempt Work Permit Canada Checklist

Employer Checklist

• □ I confirmed that a specific LMIA exemption applies.
• □ I selected the correct exemption code.
• □ The offered job and duties meet the exemption requirements.
• □ I selected the correct NOC.
• □ I prepared a complete employment agreement.
• □ I submitted the offer through the Employer Portal where required.
• □ I submitted the offer before the worker applied.
• □ I paid the $230 compliance fee or documented an exemption.
• □ I gave the worker the A-number.
• □ I will provide the wage, duties and conditions listed in the offer.
• □ I will retain employment records for 6 years.

Worker Checklist

• □ I confirmed that I meet the exemption requirements.
• □ I received a written employment agreement.
• □ I received the correct A-number where required.
• □ My job title, duties, wage and location are accurate.
• □ I gathered documents proving the exemption.
• □ I included education, licence and experience records where required.
• □ I paid the correct work permit fees.
• □ I completed biometrics or a medical exam where required.
• □ I did not assume that LMIA-exempt means work-permit-exempt.
• □ I will not begin work until legally authorized.
• □ I will follow the employer, occupation and location conditions on the permit.

Related Immigration Guides

• LMIA Canada Explained: What Workers and Employers Should Know
• Employer Portal Canada: How LMIA-Exempt Job Offers Work
• Offer of Employment Number Canada: What the A-Number Means
• Employer Compliance Fee Canada: When It Must Be Paid
• Work Permit Canada Explained: Open vs Employer-Specific Work Permit
• NOC TEER Canada: How to Choose the Right Code
• Proof of Work Experience Canada: What Applicants Need
• Maintained Status in Canada Explained: What It Means

Helpful Official Resources

• IRCC: Find Out If an LMIA Is Required
• IRCC: International Mobility Program
• IRCC: How to Hire Through the IMP
• IRCC: Employer Portal
• IRCC: Employer Compliance Exemptions
• IRCC: Employer-Specific Work Permits
• IRCC: Work Under a Free Trade Agreement
• IRCC: Francophone Mobility Work Permit
• IRCC: Employer Responsibilities After Hiring

FAQ About LMIA-Exempt Work Permit Canada

What is an LMIA-exempt work permit?

It is a work permit issued without the employer obtaining a Labour Market Impact Assessment because the worker and employment qualify under a specific exemption.

Does LMIA-exempt mean I can work without a permit?

No. Most LMIA-exempt workers still need a work permit. A separate work permit exemption must apply for a person to work without one.

Who decides whether I qualify for an exemption?

IRCC or the responsible border officer makes the final decision after reviewing the employer’s submission and the worker’s evidence.

Does every LMIA-exempt employer use the Employer Portal?

Most employers supporting employer-specific LMIA-exempt permits use the portal. Open work permit employment and certain compliance-exempt situations do not require a job-specific portal offer.

How much is the employer compliance fee?

It is generally $230 for an employer-specific LMIA-exempt offer unless a fee exemption applies.

What is an A-number?

It is the offer of employment number generated after an employer submits an offer through the Employer Portal. It starts with A and is followed by 7 numbers.

Can the employer submit the offer after I apply?

In most employer-specific IMP cases, the offer and applicable compliance fee must be submitted before the worker submits the work permit application.

Can an A-number be reused?

It generally cannot be reused after IRCC has made a decision on the work permit application connected to that number.

Can an open work permit holder work without an LMIA?

Yes. An employer normally does not need an LMIA to hire a person who already holds a valid open work permit, subject to any restrictions on that permit.

Can anyone apply for an open work permit?

No. Open work permits are available only under specific immigration categories and public policies.

Does Francophone Mobility require an LMIA?

No, when the worker and employment meet the program’s requirements. The employer generally uses code C16, submits a portal offer and pays the compliance fee.

Can a free trade agreement make my job LMIA-exempt?

Possibly. The applicant must meet the citizenship, occupation, qualification and employment requirements of the applicable agreement.

Does an intra-company transfer require an LMIA?

Eligible executives, senior managers and specialized-knowledge workers may qualify for an LMIA-exempt employer-specific work permit.

Can I change employers with an LMIA-exempt permit?

Open permit holders can generally change employers. Employer-specific permit holders usually need a new offer and new work authorization before beginning the new job.

Does an LMIA-exempt permit give CRS points?

The permit itself does not grant job-offer CRS points. The former additional CRS points for arranged employment were removed on March 25, 2025.

Can LMIA-exempt work experience count for CEC?

Authorized Canadian work experience may count if it meets the Canadian Experience Class requirements, including eligible NOC, paid work and the required hours and period.

How long is an LMIA-exempt work permit valid?

Validity depends on the exemption, job offer, passport validity and program rules. IRCC determines the final dates.

Can the employer charge me the compliance fee?

The compliance fee is an employer obligation. Workers should be cautious if an employer demands reimbursement for it.

Final Thoughts

LMIA-exempt work permit Canada rules provide several pathways for eligible foreign nationals to work without an employer completing a labour-market assessment.

The exemption must be based on a recognized category such as an international agreement, reciprocal employment, significant benefit, Francophone Mobility or eligibility for an open work permit.

For most employer-specific IMP applications, the employer must submit the offer and compliance fee before the worker applies. The worker should receive the employment agreement and correct A-number and provide evidence showing how the exemption applies.

Do not confuse LMIA exemption with permission to work without a permit. Wait until valid work authorization is issued and follow every employer, occupation and location condition listed on the document.

Last updated: July 2026