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Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program – Employers & LMIA

The Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program allows Canadian employers to hire foreign workers to fill labour shortages when no qualified Canadians or permanent residents are available. To hire through the TFW program, employers often need to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), and the worker must then apply for a work permit.

1. LMIA Application Process (Employer’s Responsibility)
Apply for an LMIA from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).

Step 1: Determine LMIA Stream
 High-Wage Stream: For positions with wages above the provincial or territorial median hourly wage.
 Low-Wage Stream: For positions with wages below the median wage.
 Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP): For temporary agricultural workers.
 Global Talent Stream: For highly skilled workers in specific tech occupations or those with unique expertise.

Step 2: Recruitment Efforts
Employers must demonstrate they made sufficient efforts to hire Canadians or permanent residents before seeking to hire a foreign worker. Recruitment typically includes advertising the position for a minimum of 4 weeks on various platforms, such as the Job Bank and other job boards.

Step 3: LMIA Application Submission
Employers submit the completed LMIA application to ESDC, including:
 A detailed job description.
 Proof of recruitment efforts.
 Information on the wages, working conditions, and job location.

Step 4: Processing Time and Decision
The processing time for an LMIA application can vary depending on the stream:
 Global Talent Stream: Approximately 10 business days.
 Other streams: Between 8 to 16 weeks.

If the LMIA is approved, the employer receives a positive LMIA, allowing the foreign worker to apply for a work permit.