New Changes to LMIA-Exempt Work Permits

Starting from last Saturday, February 21, 2015, the government has begun to impose new processes and fees for applicants who want to apply for work permits that don’t require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).  Here are some of the main changes:

• Employers who want to hire foreign workers with work permits that are LMIA-exempt and tied to an employer (eg. Intra-company Transferees, NAFTA and other free-trade agreement professionals, some PNP nominees, Significant Benefit) are now required to submit a form outlining the details of the job and pay a fee of $230. 

• Employers may be subject to compliance reviews for these workers and must adhere to the terms stated in the form.  Non-compliance may mean the inability to hire future foreign workers and heavy fines. 

• Persons who are applying for open work permits will be required to pay an additional fee of $100.  This will affect people who are applying for post-grad work permits, spousal work permits, bridging work permits, and some PNP work permits.