Employer Compliance Fee Canada: When It Must Be Paid

Employer Compliance Fee Canada is generally a CAN$230 fee paid by a Canadian employer when hiring a temporary foreign worker through an employer-specific, LMIA-exempt work permit category.

The fee is connected to the International Mobility Program, commonly called the IMP. It is normally paid when the employer submits an offer of employment through the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada Employer Portal.

In most cases, the employer must submit the job offer and pay the fee before the foreign worker submits the work permit application.

Some employers and work permit categories are exempt from the fee. Others do not need to use the Employer Portal at all. Understanding this distinction is important because incorrectly claiming an exemption can delay or result in refusal of the worker’s application.

Employer Compliance Fee Canada: Quick Overview

What Is the Employer Compliance Fee?

The employer compliance fee is a federal immigration fee connected to employer-specific work permits issued through the International Mobility Program.

The IMP allows eligible employers to hire certain foreign workers without first obtaining a Labour Market Impact Assessment.

Although an LMIA is not required, the employer may still have several obligations, including:

• Submitting an offer through the Employer Portal
• Selecting the correct LMIA exemption code
• Providing accurate wage and employment information
• Paying the employer compliance fee
• Providing the worker with an offer of employment number
• Providing employment that matches the submitted offer
• Keeping required employment records
• Cooperating with possible inspections

The fee is connected to the employer’s submitted offer. It is not the foreign worker’s work permit processing fee.

Why Does Canada Charge an Employer Compliance Fee?

Employers hiring under the IMP do not go through a Service Canada labour-market assessment in most cases.

Instead, IRCC uses an employer compliance system to review whether employers:

• Submitted a genuine offer
• Used an appropriate LMIA exemption
• Provided the wage and conditions promised
• Complied with federal and provincial employment laws
• Maintained a workplace free from abuse
• Kept documents required for an inspection

The fee supports the administration of this employer compliance regime.

Paying the fee does not purchase approval. IRCC can still refuse the worker’s application or inspect the employer after the work permit is issued.

Who Must Pay the Employer Compliance Fee?

The Canadian employer making the offer of employment is responsible for the fee.

The employer may use an authorized employee or representative to complete the portal submission, but the offer remains the employer’s submission and responsibility.

The employer should determine whether:

• The worker needs an employer-specific permit
• The position is LMIA-exempt
• The Employer Portal must be used
• A fee exemption applies

The worker should not treat the $230 amount as part of their personal work permit application fee.

When Must the Employer Compliance Fee Be Paid?

The fee must generally be paid before the foreign national submits the work permit application or an application to renew the employer-specific work permit.

The correct order is usually:

1. Confirm the LMIA exemption.
2. Prepare and sign the employment agreement.
3. Enter the offer in the Employer Portal.
4. Pay the employer compliance fee or document an exemption.
5. Transmit the offer.
6. Receive the offer of employment number.
7. Give the A-number and employment documents to the worker.
8. The worker submits the work permit application.

How Much Is the Employer Compliance Fee?

The standard fee is:

For example:

• One worker and one offer: $230
• Two workers with separate offers: generally $460
• Five workers with separate offers: generally $1,150

A separate offer is normally connected to each worker and work permit application.

Special Maximum Fee for a Group of Performing Artists

A special maximum fee may apply when an employer makes offers at the same time to a group of three or more foreign nationals consisting of performing artists and their staff.

The total employer compliance fee for the qualifying group is:

To use this maximum:

• There must be at least three foreign nationals
• They must be performing artists or qualifying staff
• The offers must be made at the same time

Employers should not assume that every group of three workers qualifies for the $690 maximum.

Employer Compliance Fee vs Other Canadian Work Permit Fees

The $230 compliance fee and $1,000 LMIA fee generally do not apply to the same job offer because one is normally used under the IMP and the other under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

When Is the Employer Compliance Fee Required?

The fee is generally required when:

• The worker needs an employer-specific work permit
• The job is exempt from an LMIA
• The employer must submit an offer through the Employer Portal
• No employer compliance fee exemption applies

Examples may include eligible employer-specific permits under:

• Francophone Mobility
• Intra-company transfers
• International trade agreements
• Significant-benefit categories
• International Experience Canada Young Professionals
• International Experience Canada International Co-op
• Certain federal-provincial agreements
• Some employer-supported rural or Francophone immigration pathways

The selected immigration category should be reviewed independently because not every LMIA-exempt offer requires the fee.

Read LMIA-Exempt Work Permit Canada: Who May Qualify.

Do Employers Pay the Fee for an Open Work Permit Holder?

No job-specific Employer Portal submission or employer compliance fee is normally required when hiring someone who already holds a valid open work permit.

An open work permit is generally not tied to one specific employer, job offer or A-number.

Examples can include eligible:

• Post-graduation work permit holders
• Bridging open work permit holders
• Spousal open work permit holders
• Working Holiday participants
• Vulnerable worker open work permit holders

The employer should still inspect the permit and confirm that the worker can legally perform the offered job.

Some open permits contain occupation, location or medical restrictions.

Do LMIA-Based Employers Pay the Employer Compliance Fee?

Employers hiring through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program generally do not pay the $230 employer compliance fee.

Instead, the employer normally applies to Service Canada for an LMIA and may pay the applicable LMIA processing fee.

An LMIA-based worker generally receives LMIA information rather than an Employer Portal A-number.

Read LMIA Canada Explained: What Workers and Employers Should Know.

Employers That May Not Need to Use the Employer Portal

Certain employers do not need to use the Employer Portal or pay the employer compliance fee.

Official examples include:

• International missions or consular posts
• Recognized international organizations
• Foreign governments
• Owners or operators of international bridges or tunnels

Workers in these situations may use different evidence instead of an offer of employment number.

The employer and worker should follow the specific work permit instructions for the category rather than creating an unnecessary portal offer.

Employers That Use the Portal but Do Not Pay the Fee

Some employers must submit the job offer through the Employer Portal but are exempt from paying the $230 fee.

In this situation, the employer generally:

1. Completes the Employer Portal offer.
2. Selects that the offer is exempt from the employer compliance fee.
3. Uploads proof of the exemption.
4. Transmits the offer without paying $230.
5. Receives the offer of employment number.
6. Gives the A-number to the worker.

The worker still needs the A-number if an Employer Portal offer is required.

Employer Portal Exemption vs Employer Compliance Fee Exemption

This distinction prevents two common mistakes:

• Assuming fee-exempt means no portal offer is required
• Submitting a portal offer for an employer that is fully exempt from the portal process

Examples of Employer Compliance Fee Exemptions

IRCC maintains a detailed list of fee exemptions. Examples may include qualifying work under certain:

• Non-trade international agreements
• Reciprocal cultural agreements
• Government-supported research programs
• Unremunerated charitable or religious work
• Specific public policies
• Certain Quebec work permit extensions

Selected Quebec Work Permit Extensions

A temporary public policy effective March 13, 2026 may allow certain workers in Quebec to extend an employer-specific work permit without an LMIA and without the $230 employer compliance fee.

The employer must still submit an offer through the Employer Portal and provide the worker with an A-number when all requirements are met.

Certain Government and Cultural Agreements

Some workers under non-trade international agreements or reciprocal cultural arrangements may be exempt from the work permit processing fee and the employer compliance fee.

Certain Research Positions

Selected scientists, scholars, postdoctoral fellows and research-chair positions sponsored through designated Canadian research organizations may qualify for a fee exemption.

Unremunerated Charitable or Religious Work

Some charitable or religious workers may qualify when they receive no remuneration other than limited living support or non-monetary benefits permitted under the applicable rules.

Receiving a normal salary may change the fee assessment.

How Does an Employer Prove a Fee Exemption?

When the Employer Portal asks whether the fee will be paid, the employer selects:

• Yes, the employer will pay the fee; or
• No, the offer is exempt from the fee.

A fee-exempt employer should upload supporting evidence in the proof-of-exemption field.

Evidence may include:

• A letter of explanation
• A program or public-policy approval document
• Evidence of participation in a qualifying agreement
• Research sponsorship documents
• Documents showing the work is unremunerated charitable or religious work
• Other documents requested by IRCC

The letter should explain:

• The relevant program, agreement or public policy
• The applicable LMIA exemption code
• Why the foreign worker is exempt from the work permit processing fee where relevant
• Why the employer compliance fee is not payable

IRCC’s Employer Portal guide warns that selecting the exemption response incorrectly may not be easily corrected and can result in refusal.

How to Pay the Employer Compliance Fee

In most cases, the payment is made during the Employer Portal submission.

The general process is:

1. Sign in to the Employer Portal.
2. Create the offer of employment.
3. Complete the business information form.
4. Complete the foreign worker form.
5. Complete the job-details form.
6. Complete the wage-and-benefits form.
7. Confirm that the $230 fee is payable.
8. Review and sign the employer declaration.
9. Select the transmit-and-pay option.
10. Complete the payment.
11. Save or print the receipt.
12. Confirm that the offer status changes to Submitted.
13. Retrieve the A-number from the Employment Queue.

The employer should not assume payment alone completed the offer. Confirm that the offer was transmitted successfully.

For the full portal process, see Employer Portal Canada: How LMIA-Exempt Job Offers Work.

Does the Employer Receive a Payment Receipt?

The Employer Portal provides a transaction receipt after the employer completes payment.

The employer should save:

• The transaction receipt
• The offer of employment number
• A copy of the employment agreement
• A copy of the submitted offer information
• Documents supporting the LMIA exemption
• Proof supporting any fee exemption

Employers should maintain relevant records because IRCC may inspect the employment arrangement after the work permit is issued.

What Should the Employer Give the Worker?

After submitting the offer, the employer should give the worker:

• The offer of employment number
• A signed employment agreement
• A job-offer letter where applicable
• Documents needed to prove the LMIA exemption
• Proof of fee payment where required by the worker’s specific program

For most employer-specific IMP applications, the worker proves submission by entering the A-number in the work permit application.

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

Should the Foreign Worker Pay the Employer Compliance Fee?

The employer compliance fee is legally payable by the employer making the offer.

It is not the worker’s personal work permit processing fee.

Workers should be cautious if an employer or recruiter:

• Sells an Employer Portal offer
• Demands payment for an A-number
• Claims the $230 payment guarantees approval
• Requests reimbursement through cash, cryptocurrency or gift cards
• Refuses to provide a written employment agreement

The worker is normally responsible for their own work permit, biometrics and other applicant fees unless another arrangement or fee exemption applies.

Employer Compliance Fee for Work Permit Extensions

A new employer-specific LMIA-exempt work permit application or extension generally requires:

• A new Employer Portal offer
• A new employer compliance fee, unless exempt
• A new offer of employment number

The employer should not reuse the A-number or fee from the application that produced the current work permit.

The new offer should cover only the future employment period for which the new work permit is requested.

See Work Permit Extension Canada: How to Apply Before Expiry.

Employer Compliance Fee When Changing Employers

An employer-specific work permit normally restricts the worker to the employer named on the permit.

When an LMIA-exempt worker changes employers, the new employer generally must:

1. Confirm that a valid LMIA exemption applies.
2. Submit a new Employer Portal offer.
3. Pay a new $230 fee or document a fee exemption.
4. Give the worker a new A-number.

The fee paid by the previous employer cannot normally be transferred to the new employer.

See Change Employers on a Work Permit in Canada.

Do Employers Pay Again When Correcting an Offer?

The answer depends on whether the offer has been matched to a work permit application and whether IRCC has issued the permit.

Material changes can include the employer, occupation, wage, duties, work location or LMIA exemption basis.

When Is the Employer Compliance Fee Refundable?

The fee may generally be refunded in two main situations:

1. IRCC refuses the worker’s work permit application.
2. The employer withdraws the offer and requests the refund before the work permit is issued.

The fee is generally not refunded after the work permit has already been issued merely because:

• The worker later decides not to remain in the job
• The employment ends early
• The employer changes its business plans after issuance

Employers should withdraw the offer promptly when they know the worker will not continue with the application.

Refund After a Work Permit Refusal

If IRCC refuses the work permit application, the employer compliance fee is generally refunded automatically.

The employer normally does not need to submit a separate refund request.

IRCC advises following its refund instructions if the employer has not received a refund notice within eight weeks.

The worker’s own work permit processing fee is subject to different refund rules and may not be refunded simply because the application was refused.

Refund When the Worker Is No Longer Coming to Canada

If the employer paid the fee but the worker will not proceed, the employer must withdraw the offer before the work permit is issued.

When the offer has not yet been matched, the portal may show a Withdraw application option.

After withdrawal:

• The offer status changes to withdrawn
• The refund is generally triggered automatically
• The money is normally returned to the original payment method

IRCC notes that some withdrawal-related refunds can take up to one year to process.

If the offer has already been matched to the worker’s application, the employer may need to contact IRCC rather than using the portal button.

Common Employer Compliance Fee Mistakes

Paying the Fee After the Worker Applies

The employer generally must complete the offer and fee before the work permit application is submitted.

Confusing the Fee With an LMIA Fee

The $230 compliance fee is for many LMIA-exempt IMP offers. It is not the Service Canada LMIA processing fee.

Paying for an Open Work Permit Holder

A job-specific portal offer and compliance fee are generally unnecessary when the employee already holds a valid open work permit.

Selecting Fee Exempt Without Evidence

The employer should upload documents clearly explaining the exemption.

Assuming Fee Exempt Means Portal Exempt

Some employers still need to submit an offer and provide an A-number even when no $230 payment is required.

Reusing a Previous Payment

A new application, extension or employer may require a new offer and payment.

Failing to Save the Receipt

Employers should retain proof of payment with the employment and compliance records.

Waiting Until After Work Permit Issuance to Withdraw

The employer should withdraw the offer before issuance to qualify for the withdrawal-based refund.

Employer Compliance Fee Scams and Warning Signs

The employer compliance fee can be misrepresented by fraudulent employers and recruiters.

Warning signs include:

• Selling a job offer or A-number for thousands of dollars
• Claiming that paying $230 guarantees a work permit
• Requesting payment through cryptocurrency or gift cards
• Refusing to provide the employer’s legal name
• Providing no written employment agreement
• Giving an A-number before any real employer interview
• Promising automatic permanent residence
• Using an LMIA exemption code that does not match the job

Employer Compliance Fee Canada Checklist

Employer Checklist

• □ I confirmed whether the job requires an LMIA.
• □ I confirmed that the worker needs an employer-specific permit.
• □ I selected the correct LMIA exemption code.
• □ I confirmed whether an Employer Portal offer is required.
• □ I confirmed whether the $230 fee is payable.
• □ I did not assume that portal exemption and fee exemption are the same.
• □ I prepared evidence if claiming a fee exemption.
• □ I prepared a signed employment agreement.
• □ I entered accurate wage, duties and location information.
• □ I paid the fee before the worker applied.
• □ I saved the transaction receipt.
• □ I confirmed that the offer status shows Submitted.
• □ I gave the worker the correct A-number.
• □ I understand that an extension may require a new fee.
• □ I understand that a new employer must submit a new offer and fee.
• □ I will keep the required employment and payment records.

Worker Checklist

• □ I confirmed whether my permit is employer-specific or open.
• □ I received the A-number before submitting my application.
• □ I received a signed employment agreement.
• □ The employer, job, wage and location are accurate.
• □ I understand that the employer compliance fee is different from my work permit fee.
• □ I understand that payment does not guarantee approval.
• □ I will not purchase an A-number or job offer.
• □ I gathered evidence supporting my LMIA exemption.
• □ I will not begin work until legally authorized.

Related Immigration Guides

• Employer Portal Canada: How LMIA-Exempt Job Offers Work
• Offer of Employment Number Canada: What the A-Number Means
• LMIA-Exempt Work Permit Canada: Who May Qualify
• LMIA Canada Explained: What Workers and Employers Should Know
• Work Permit Canada Explained: Open vs Employer-Specific Work Permit
• Work Permit Extension Canada: How to Apply Before Expiry
• Change Employers on a Work Permit in Canada
• NOC TEER Canada: How to Choose the Right Code

Helpful Official Resources

• IRCC: What Is the Employer Compliance Fee?
• IRCC: How to Hire Through the International Mobility Program
• IRCC: Employer Compliance Exemptions
• IRCC: Employer Portal User Guide
• IRCC: Employer Portal Sign-In
• IRCC: Refund After Work Permit Refusal
• IRCC: Refund When the Worker Is Not Coming
• IRCC: Withdraw an Offer of Employment
• Canadian Immigration Regulations: Employer Fee

FAQ About Employer Compliance Fee Canada

What is the employer compliance fee in Canada?

It is a fee generally paid by employers submitting an employer-specific LMIA-exempt offer through the International Mobility Program.

How much is the employer compliance fee?

The standard fee is CAN$230 for each applicable offer of employment.

Who pays the $230 fee?

The employer making the offer of employment is legally responsible for paying the employer compliance fee.

When must the fee be paid?

It generally must be paid before the foreign worker submits the work permit application or renewal application.

Is the compliance fee the same as the work permit fee?

No. The employer compliance fee is normally paid by the employer. The work permit processing fee is normally paid by the applicant.

Is the compliance fee the same as the LMIA fee?

No. The compliance fee is generally used for employer-specific LMIA-exempt IMP offers. The LMIA fee applies to many Temporary Foreign Worker Program applications.

Do employers pay the fee for open work permit holders?

Generally no. An open work permit holder is not tied to a job-specific Employer Portal offer.

Does a fee exemption mean no Employer Portal offer is needed?

Not always. Some employers must submit an offer and obtain an A-number even though they do not pay the $230 fee.

How does an employer claim an exemption?

The employer selects the fee-exempt option in the Employer Portal and uploads documents explaining the applicable program, agreement or exemption.

Can the worker pay the employer compliance fee?

The fee is an employer obligation and is different from the worker’s own application fees.

Does paying the fee guarantee a work permit?

No. IRCC still assesses the LMIA exemption, employer, job, worker qualifications and admissibility.

Do employers pay again for a work permit extension?

A new employer-specific IMP extension generally requires a new portal offer, new A-number and new compliance fee unless an exemption applies.

Does a new employer need to pay a new fee?

Generally yes. The new employer normally submits a new offer and pays the fee before the worker applies for new authorization.

Can an employer get a refund after refusal?

Yes. The compliance fee is generally refunded automatically when IRCC refuses the connected work permit application.

Can an employer get a refund if the worker is not coming?

Yes, if the employer withdraws the offer before the work permit is issued. The refund is generally triggered automatically after withdrawal.

How long can a refund take?

Timing varies. IRCC advises following up if no refund notice is received within eight weeks after a refusal, while some withdrawal-related refunds can take up to one year.

Is there a group fee for performers?

Yes. The total fee may be capped at $690 when offers are made at the same time to a group of three or more performing artists and their staff.

Does the employer receive a receipt?

Yes. A transaction receipt can be printed or saved after the employer completes the payment.

Final Thoughts

Employer Compliance Fee Canada is generally a $230 employer payment connected to an employer-specific LMIA-exempt work permit offer.

The employer should determine whether the Employer Portal and fee apply, submit accurate employment information and complete the payment before the foreign worker applies.

Fee-exempt employers may still need to submit an offer and provide an A-number. Employers should upload clear evidence rather than assuming an exemption applies.

Keep the receipt, employment agreement and supporting records. If the work permit is refused or the offer is withdrawn before the permit is issued, the employer may receive a refund under the applicable rules.

Last updated: July 2026