Employer Portal Canada: How LMIA-Exempt Job Offers Work

Employer Portal Canada is the secure online system many employers use to submit job offers for temporary foreign workers who qualify for an employer-specific work permit without a Labour Market Impact Assessment.

The portal is part of the International Mobility Program, commonly called the IMP. It allows the employer to provide Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, commonly known as IRCC, with information about the business, foreign worker, job, wage, benefits and LMIA exemption.

In most employer-specific LMIA-exempt cases, the employer must submit the offer and pay the employer compliance fee before the foreign worker applies for a work permit.

After a successful submission, the employer receives an offer of employment number beginning with the letter A. The worker enters this number in the work permit application so IRCC can connect the application with the employer’s job offer.

Employer Portal Canada: Quick Overview

What Is the Employer Portal?

The Employer Portal is an IRCC online service for employers hiring temporary foreign workers through the International Mobility Program.

It is mainly used when:

• The job does not require an LMIA
• The work permit will be tied to a specific employer
• The employer is required to submit a job-specific offer
• The employer must pay or document an exemption from the compliance fee

The portal does not issue the work permit. It records the employer’s offer and generates a number that allows IRCC to connect that offer with the worker’s application.

The employer remains responsible for ensuring that the selected LMIA exemption is correct and that the information entered is accurate.

When Is the Employer Portal Required?

The portal is generally required when an employer wants to hire a foreign national for an employer-specific position under an LMIA exemption.

Examples may include eligible workers under:

• Francophone Mobility
• International trade agreements
• Intra-company transfer categories
• Significant-benefit categories
• Young Professionals under International Experience Canada
• International Co-op placements
• Certain provincial nominee work permits
• Other employer-specific International Mobility Program exemptions

The employer must confirm the exact exemption before submitting the offer.

Read LMIA-Exempt Work Permit Canada: Who May Qualify for an overview of the main exemption categories.

When Is the Employer Portal Not Required?

Not every foreign worker is connected to an Employer Portal submission.

The Employer Needs an LMIA

Employers hiring through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program generally apply for an LMIA through the appropriate Service Canada system instead of submitting an IMP job offer through the Employer Portal.

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

The Worker Holds an Open Work Permit

An employer hiring someone who already holds a valid open work permit generally does not submit a job-specific offer or pay the employer compliance fee.

The worker must still comply with any restrictions printed on the open permit.

The Employer Is Compliance-Exempt

Some employers, foreign missions, international organizations and specific categories may be exempt from the portal submission, the fee or both.

Employers should verify whether the exemption applies to the submission requirement, the fee requirement or both. These are not always identical.

The Person Is Work-Permit-Exempt

A foreign national performing a legally work-permit-exempt activity may not require a job-specific portal submission.

LMIA exemption and work permit exemption are different concepts and should not be treated as interchangeable.

Employer Portal vs Other Government Accounts

Access to one account does not automatically provide access to another.

The Employer Portal can be accessed using GCKey or a participating Sign-In Partner, but the portal profile must still be enrolled for the correct organization.

What to Prepare Before Registering

Before creating an employer account, confirm who within the organization should become the primary user.

The first person who enrols the employer normally becomes the primary user for the entire organization. This role has full access and controls access for other users.

Prepare information such as:

• The business’s legal name
• Operating name, where applicable
• The 9-digit CRA business number
• Business address
• Mailing address
• Telephone number
• Business email address
• Primary contact information
• The person authorized to make declarations for the employer

The information should match official business and CRA records.

Primary, Secondary and Branch Users

A branch generally uses the same 9-digit CRA business number as the main organization.

The primary user can create branch and secondary-user access, but those users generally cannot submit offers until the primary user has submitted the organization’s first offer.

How to Register for the Employer Portal

Step 1: Choose a Sign-In Method

The user can access the Employer Portal through:

• GCKey
• A participating Canadian banking Sign-In Partner

Keep the selected sign-in credentials secure. Creating a different GCKey later does not automatically connect to the existing portal account.

Step 2: Select the Correct Portal

Government sign-in credentials may provide access to several services. Select the Employer Portal rather than an unrelated IRCC portal.

Step 3: Answer the PIN Question Correctly

The first person enrolling the main organization normally selects that they have not received a PIN.

A secondary or branch user should select that a PIN was received and enter the PIN provided by the organization’s primary user.

Step 4: Enter Business Information

Enter the legal business name, CRA number and contact details carefully.

If the same business number or legal name is already connected to an account, the portal may prevent creation of a duplicate account.

Step 5: Complete the Declaration

The user must confirm that the information is accurate and that they are authorized to act for the employer.

Step 6: Wait for Account Activation Where Required

Follow any activation instructions sent by IRCC and check junk or spam folders for portal messages.

Can a Representative Submit an Offer?

An authorized representative may submit an offer on behalf of an employer when the employer provides proper portal access.

The employer generally:

1. Accesses the employer account
2. Creates a secondary-user account
3. Generates a PIN
4. Assigns access to the authorized representative

The employer remains responsible for the accuracy of the information and for complying with the offer after the worker is hired.

Do not simply give the organization’s primary-user password to a recruiter or consultant.

Preparing the Job Offer Before Submission

The employer should finalize the employment terms before entering the offer into the portal.

Confirm:

• The foreign worker’s legal name
• Date of birth and citizenship
• Job title
• NOC code
• Main duties
• Work location
• Hourly or annual wage
• Benefits
• Weekly hours
• Start and end dates
• LMIA exemption category and code
• Evidence showing why the exemption applies

The employment contract, job-offer letter and portal submission should use consistent information.

Choose the NOC based on the real duties. Read NOC TEER Canada: How to Choose the Right Code.

How to Submit an Offer of Employment

The general submission process is:

1. Sign in to the Employer Portal.
2. Select the option to submit an offer of employment.
3. Enter the employer and business information.
4. Enter the foreign worker’s information.
5. Enter the job title, NOC, duties and location.
6. Enter the wage, benefits, hours and employment dates.
7. Choose the LMIA exemption code.
8. Explain how the exemption requirements are met.
9. Review all information for errors.
10. Complete the employer declaration.
11. Pay the compliance fee or document the applicable exemption.
12. Transmit the offer.
13. Confirm that the status changes to submitted.
14. Copy the generated offer of employment number.
15. Give the number and signed employment documents to the worker.

Do not give the worker a draft number or ask the worker to apply before the offer has been successfully submitted.

What Information Is Included in the Offer?

The portal submission becomes an important compliance record. Avoid vague descriptions such as “general office duties” when the actual position has specific responsibilities.

Selecting the Correct LMIA Exemption Code

The exemption code tells IRCC which International Mobility Program category the employer and worker are relying on.

Examples include codes associated with:

• Francophone Mobility
• International trade agreements
• Intra-company transfers
• Significant benefit
• Reciprocal employment
• Provincial or territorial agreements

The code should not be selected only because it sounds similar to the position.

The employer should review the legal requirements and provide a specific explanation connecting the worker, employer and job to the exemption.

Employer Compliance Fee

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

The employer pays this fee when transmitting the offer through the portal.

The fee is separate from:

• The worker’s work permit fee
• Biometrics fees
• Medical examination costs
• Representative fees
• An LMIA processing fee

Some employers or categories are fee-exempt. When an exemption applies, the employer should select the appropriate fee-exempt option and provide the required information.

A worker who already holds an open work permit generally does not require a job-specific portal offer, so the employer normally does not pay this fee.

For a detailed explanation, read Employer Compliance Fee Canada: When It Must Be Paid.

What Is the Offer of Employment Number?

After a successful submission, the portal generates an offer of employment number.

The number:

• Begins with the letter A
• Is followed by 7 digits
• Appears in the employment queue
• Connects the employer’s offer to the worker’s application
• Is generally used for one work permit application

Example format:

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

If the number does not appear immediately, the employer should confirm that the offer status is submitted and check the queue again. IRCC’s guide advises waiting up to 24 hours if necessary.

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

What Does the Worker Do Next?

Once the number is available, the employer should give the worker:

• The offer of employment number
• The signed job-offer letter or employment agreement
• Information supporting the LMIA exemption
• Any employer documents required for the worker’s category

The worker enters the A-number in the work permit application.

The worker may also need to provide:

• Passport
• Education and training records
• Professional licence
• Work-experience evidence
• Proof of citizenship under a trade agreement
• Corporate relationship documents for an intra-company transfer
• French-language evidence for Francophone Mobility
• Biometrics or a medical examination where required

The employer does not need to wait for IRCC to issue a separate approval of the portal offer before the worker applies.

However, the worker must wait for legal work authorization before beginning employment unless another specific authorization applies.

Understanding the Employment Queue

The employment queue displays offers created under the employer account.

Statuses may indicate whether an offer is:

• Still being prepared
• Processing submission
• Successfully submitted
• Withdrawn
• Connected to a work permit application or decision

The employer should not rely only on a payment confirmation. Confirm that the offer itself has been transmitted and that the A-number appears.

Keep a record of:

• The offer number
• Submission date
• Payment receipt
• Employment agreement
• Information entered in the portal
• Documents supporting the exemption

How to Correct a Mistake in a Submitted Offer

A submitted offer generally cannot simply be edited like a draft.

The required action depends on whether the worker has applied and whether IRCC has made a decision.

A minor administrative change does not always produce the same result as a change to the employer, occupation, work location, wage or exemption basis.

Contact IRCC when the correct action is unclear.

How to Withdraw an Offer

An employer may withdraw an offer through the Employer Portal where the withdrawal option is available.

Withdrawing the offer can trigger a refund of the associated compliance fee.

However, withdrawing the portal offer does not automatically correct or withdraw a work permit application that the worker has already submitted.

If the worker already applied, the worker may need to submit a separate withdrawal request through the IRCC web form.

See IRCC Web Form: How to Contact IRCC Online.

Can an Offer of Employment Number Be Reused?

An A-number is generally connected to one work permit application.

Once IRCC makes a decision on the work permit application, the employer cannot reuse that number for another application.

A new offer and new compliance fee may be required when:

• The worker submits a new work permit application after a refusal
• The worker applies for a new employer-specific permit
• The employer, occupation or work location changes materially
• The employment period is extended through a new application
• The original offer contained an error that requires replacement

Do not give two workers the same offer number.

Business Information and Employment Changes

Business Information Error Before the First Offer

If no offer has been submitted, an employer with incorrect legal name or business-number information may need to enrol again using the correct information and new secure credentials.

Business Information Change After an Offer

If the employer has already submitted an offer, certain business information changes may need to be requested from IRCC.

IRCC warns that updating major business information after an offer has been submitted can take eight weeks or more.

Employer, Occupation or Location Change

A new offer is usually required when the worker needs a new permit because of changes to:

• The employer
• The occupation or NOC
• A restricted work location
• A location that formed part of the LMIA exemption
• Working conditions that become less favourable

Keep written records explaining every change.

Merger or Takeover

A merger or takeover does not always require a new offer immediately.

A successor business may continue employing the worker without a new permit where the business type and permit conditions remain unchanged and the new company assumes the relevant assets and liabilities.

A new offer and work permit may be required when the business type, wage, duties or work location changes.

Which Company Submits When More Than One Business Is Involved?

Employment arrangements can involve a foreign company, a Canadian company or both.

Direct Employment or Transfer

When a Canadian company directly employs the worker or accepts the worker as an intra-company transferee, the Canadian company generally submits the offer.

Contract for Services

When a Canadian company contracts with a foreign company and a foreign employee enters Canada to provide the contracted service, IRCC’s enrolment guidance generally places responsibility for submitting the offer on the Canadian company creating the need for the worker to enter Canada.

This may apply even when:

• The worker remains employed by the foreign company
• The foreign company continues paying the worker

Complex arrangements should be reviewed carefully because the company submitting the offer assumes important compliance responsibilities.

Employer Responsibilities After Hiring

Submitting the offer is not the end of the employer’s responsibilities.

The employer must generally provide employment that is substantially the same as the information submitted to IRCC.

This includes:

• The stated occupation
• The main duties
• The wage
• The benefits
• The hours of work
• The work location
• A workplace free from abuse
• Compliance with federal, provincial and territorial employment laws

The employer should keep relevant employment records for six years from the date the work permit was issued.

Records may include:

• Employment contract
• Payroll records
• Timesheets
• Pay statements
• Job descriptions
• Work-location records
• Benefits information
• Documents supporting changes to employment
• Evidence supporting the original LMIA exemption

Employer Inspections and Penalties

Employers hiring through the IMP may be inspected to determine whether they complied with the submitted offer and immigration regulations.

An inspection may examine:

• Whether the employer actively operated the business
• Whether the promised wages were paid
• Whether the worker performed the stated duties
• Whether employment conditions were substantially the same
• Whether the workplace was free from abuse
• Whether records were retained
• Whether the employer cooperated with inspectors

Possible consequences include:

• Warning letters
• Monetary penalties from $500 to $100,000 per violation
• Total monetary penalties of up to $1 million in one year
• A 1-, 2-, 5- or 10-year hiring ban
• A permanent hiring ban for serious violations
• Public listing as a non-compliant employer
• Refusal of pending work permit applications connected to the business
• Revocation of active work permits connected to the business

Employers that discover a possible compliance problem may be able to make a voluntary disclosure. Disclosure does not guarantee that no penalty will be imposed, but it may be considered during enforcement.

Employer Portal Security and Scam Prevention

The portal contains personal, business and employment information. Protect access carefully.

Recommended practices include:

• Use a unique GCKey password
• Do not share primary-user credentials
• Provide secondary-user access instead of sharing passwords
• Remove access when an employee or representative leaves
• Keep recovery questions secure
• Confirm that login pages use an official Government of Canada address
• Do not provide banking or credit-card information in response to an email
• Keep copies of receipts and submissions in secure business records

Warning signs include:

• Someone selling an Employer Portal account
• A recruiter claiming to generate a guaranteed A-number without employer involvement
• A worker being asked to pay the employer compliance fee
• A request to submit a fake job or exemption code
• A demand to share the employer’s main password
• Payment requested through gift cards or cryptocurrency

Common Employer Portal Mistakes

Using the Portal When an LMIA Is Required

An employer cannot avoid the Temporary Foreign Worker Program simply by choosing an IMP exemption code.

Creating a Duplicate Employer Account

If the organization is already enrolled, contact the primary user or recover the existing account instead of trying to create another organization profile.

Choosing the Wrong Primary User

The first user receives full account control. Choose someone with continuing authority and responsibility within the organization.

Submitting After the Worker Applies

The employer generally needs to submit the offer and fee before the worker submits the work permit application.

Entering the Wrong Exemption Code

The code must match the legal basis for the exemption and supporting evidence.

Using an Incorrect NOC

Choose the NOC based on actual duties rather than the most favourable immigration result.

Inconsistent Employment Documents

The wage, dates, location, hours and duties should match across the portal, contract, job-offer letter and worker’s application.

Giving the Worker a Draft Number

Wait until the offer is successfully submitted and the A-number appears in the employment queue.

Trying to Edit a Submitted Offer

A material error may require withdrawal and a new submission rather than a direct edit.

Reusing an Old A-Number

Once an application has been decided, the number cannot be reused for a new application.

Failing to Keep Records

Employers should maintain employment and exemption documents for the required six-year period.

Employer Portal Canada Checklist

Before Registering

• □ I confirmed that the job is LMIA-exempt.
• □ I confirmed that an employer-specific work permit is required.
• □ I confirmed that the Employer Portal submission is required.
• □ I selected the correct person to become the primary user.
• □ I have the correct legal business name.
• □ I have the correct 9-digit CRA business number.
• □ I checked whether the organization already has an account.
• □ I used a secure GCKey or Sign-In Partner account.

Before Submitting the Offer

• □ The worker’s name and personal details are correct.
• □ The job title and NOC match the actual duties.
• □ The work location is correct.
• □ The wage and benefits are correct.
• □ The weekly hours are correct.
• □ The start and end dates are reasonable.
• □ I selected the correct LMIA exemption code.
• □ I prepared a clear explanation of the exemption.
• □ The employment agreement matches the portal information.
• □ I reviewed every section before transmitting the offer.
• □ I paid the $230 fee or documented the fee exemption.

After Submitting

• □ The offer status shows as submitted.
• □ I received an A-number followed by 7 digits.
• □ I saved the payment receipt.
• □ I gave the correct A-number to the worker.
• □ I gave the worker the signed employment agreement.
• □ I told the worker not to apply using a draft or old number.
• □ I understand that the worker still needs work permit approval.
• □ I will provide the wage, duties and conditions submitted to IRCC.
• □ I will retain all required employment records for 6 years.

Related Immigration Guides

• LMIA-Exempt Work Permit Canada: Who May Qualify
• LMIA Canada Explained: What Workers and Employers Should Know
• 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
• IRCC Web Form: How to Contact IRCC Online

Helpful Official Resources

• IRCC: Employer Portal Sign-In
• IRCC: Employer Portal Enrolment Guide
• IRCC: Employer Portal User Guide
• IRCC: How to Hire Through the International Mobility Program
• IRCC: Employer Compliance Exemptions
• IRCC: Employer Responsibilities After Hiring
• IRCC: International Mobility Program Inspections
• IRCC: International Mobility Program Penalties

FAQ About Employer Portal Canada

What is the Employer Portal in Canada?

It is an IRCC system used by many employers to submit offers for employer-specific LMIA-exempt foreign workers hired through the International Mobility Program.

Is the Employer Portal used for LMIA applications?

No. LMIA applications are generally submitted through Service Canada’s applicable Temporary Foreign Worker Program process. The Employer Portal is mainly for LMIA-exempt IMP offers.

Do employers of open work permit holders use the portal?

Generally no. Open permit holders are not tied to a job-specific Employer Portal offer, although the worker must follow any restrictions printed on the permit.

How do employers sign in?

Employers can sign in using GCKey or a participating Canadian banking Sign-In Partner.

Who should become the primary user?

The primary user should be a person authorized to control the organization’s account and manage other users. The first person to enrol normally becomes the primary user.

What is an Employer Portal PIN?

A PIN links a secondary or branch user to the employer’s existing organization account. The primary user creates and provides the PIN.

Can a lawyer or consultant submit an offer?

Yes, when the employer creates and assigns proper secondary-user access. The employer remains responsible for the submission and employment conditions.

How much is the employer compliance fee?

The standard fee is generally $230 for each employer-specific LMIA-exempt offer unless an exemption applies.

When must the employer submit the offer?

In most cases, the offer and applicable fee must be submitted before the foreign worker submits the work permit application.

What does an offer number look like?

It begins with the letter A and is followed by 7 digits, such as A1234567.

Does the employer need to wait for the offer to be approved?

No separate offer approval is normally required. Once the offer is successfully submitted and the A-number appears, the worker can generally submit the work permit application.

Does an A-number guarantee a work permit?

No. IRCC still assesses the worker’s eligibility, admissibility, qualifications and the claimed LMIA exemption.

Can I edit an offer after submitting it?

A submitted offer generally cannot simply be edited. A material error may require withdrawal and a new submission.

What happens if the worker already applied using the wrong offer?

The employer may need to withdraw the offer, and the worker may need to withdraw the work permit application before both submit again with a new offer number.

Can an offer number be reused after a refusal?

No. Once IRCC has made a decision on the connected work permit application, the number cannot be reused for another application.

Can an employer withdraw an offer?

Yes, where the portal withdrawal option is available. Withdrawing the offer can trigger a refund, but it does not automatically withdraw the worker’s application.

How long must employers keep records?

Employers should generally keep employment and compliance records for 6 years from the date the worker’s permit was issued.

Can IRCC inspect an Employer Portal employer?

Yes. Employers may be inspected to verify wages, duties, conditions, record keeping and compliance with worker-protection requirements.

Final Thoughts

Employer Portal Canada is a central part of many employer-specific LMIA-exempt work permit applications.

The employer must first confirm that a valid International Mobility Program exemption applies, create or access the correct organization account and submit accurate business, worker and employment information.

After paying the applicable compliance fee and transmitting the offer, the employer should verify that the status is submitted and give the worker the A-number and matching employment documents.

The employer must then provide employment that is substantially the same as the offer, retain records for six years and remain prepared for a possible compliance inspection.

Last updated: July 2026