LMIA-Exempt
Work Permits
International Mobility Program (IMP)
The International Mobility Program (IMP) includes all streams of work permit applications that are LMIA exempt. These work permits are known as LMIA Exempt Work Permits and include the following:
International Agreements
Canada is a signatory to several international treaties that facilitate the entry of foreign workers. The entry of foreign workers under these arrangements is deemed to be of a significant benefit to Canada, which may not necessitate LMIA.
The United States-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) agreement formerly called NAFTA,
Canada-Chile FTA, Canada-Peru FTA, Canada-Columbia FTA, Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) are all trade agreements negotiated by Canada.
Contain in these agreements are opportunities for qualifying individuals to travel to Canada to conduct business such as Intra-Company Transferees.
Intra-Company Transferees
Intra-Company Transferees may be eligible for an LMIA exemption for a temporary transfer to Canada. Transferees must be executives, managers, or specialised knowledge workers for a foreign company with a qualifying relationship to the Canadian company.
International Experience Canada
International Experience Canada (IEC) is a program that allows young people to travel and work in Canada for up to two years. This is part of special agreements between Canada and selected countries that will allow youth between the ages of 18 and 35 to obtain an Open Work Permit in Canada. In this program, citizens whose countries have a bilateral agreement with Canada can apply for an Open Work Permit.
Click here for participating countries.
Streams under IEC
Working Holiday
Young Professionals
International Co-op (Internship)
Applicants in this program are eligible for an Open Work Permit that is valid for one to two years. Participants with open work permits can work for almost any Canadian employer anywhere in Canada. Some countries’ nationals may be allowed to stay in Canada for more or less than a year.
This stream is for you if you;
- Do not have a job offer.
- Want to work for more than one employer in Canada.
- Want to work in more than one location: and/or
- Want to earn more so they can travel.
In this stream, citizens of participating countries can gain valuable international experience by working for a Canadian company.
Prior to applying to this program, a job offer letter or contract of employment with a Canadian employer related to the applicant’s professional development is required. The offered job must be classified under Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) in category 0, 1, or 3 of the National Occupation Classification (NOC).
The type of work permit under this stream is an employer specific work permit, and your employer must follow all labour laws in the province or territory where you intend to work, including paying the minimum wage.
You fall into this category if:
- You have a job offer in Canada that will help you advance professionally
- You’ll work for the same employer in the same location during your stay in Canada
- Want to work in more than one location: and/or
- The type of work must be paid, not self-employed.
This stream enables citizens of participating countries who are enrolled in a post-secondary institution in their home country to spend time interning for Canadian businesses.
Before applying, participants must arrange co-op placements with Canadian employers. For the duration of the internship, applicants must be registered students.
Working Holiday (WH)
Applicants in this program are eligible for an Open Work Permit that is valid for one to two years. Participants with open work permits can work for almost any Canadian employer anywhere in Canada. Some countries' nationals may be allowed to stay in Canada for more or less than a year.
This stream is for you if you;
- Do not have a job offer.
- Want to work for more than one employer in Canada.
- Want to work in more than one location: and/or
- Want to earn more so they can travel.
Young Professionals (YP)
In this stream, citizens of participating countries can gain valuable international experience by working for a Canadian company.
Prior to applying to this program, a job offer letter or contract of employment with a Canadian employer related to the applicant's professional development is required. The offered job must be classified under Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) in category 0, 1, or 3 of the National Occupation Classification (NOC).
The type of work permit under this stream is an employer specific work permit, and your employer must follow all labour laws in the province or territory where you intend to work, including paying the minimum wage.
You fall into this category if:
- You have a job offer in Canada that will help you advance professionally
- You’ll work for the same employer in the same location during your stay in Canada
- The type of work must be paid, not self-employed.
International Co-op
This stream enables citizens of participating countries who are enrolled in a post-secondary institution in their home country to spend time interning for Canadian businesses.
Before applying, participants must arrange co-op placements with Canadian employers. For the duration of the internship, applicants must be registered students.
Application Process under IEC
If you are eligible, you must submit an IEC profile to express interest in the IEC program under one or more of the three streams.
Profiles are assigned to the appropriate stream pool(s), and candidates are chosen at random during a scheduled Rounds of Invitations. Invitation Rounds are held on a specific schedule for each country.