LMIA-Exempt Work Permits Canada — Work Without an LMIA

What Makes a Work Permit LMIA-Exempt?

Work permits under the International Mobility Program (IMP) do not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). These include work permits under trade agreements, significant benefit categories (e.g. Intra-Company Transfer, Francophone workers), and other streams where the government has agreed that an LMIA is not needed.

Trade Agreements

• CUSMA — Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement: US and Mexican citizens in certain professional/trade occupations.
• CETA — Canada-European Union: EU citizens in certain categories (investors, contract service suppliers, etc.).
• CPTPP — Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership: citizens of member countries in specified occupations.
• UKTCA — UK-Canada Trade Continuity: UK nationals in certain categories.
• GATS — General Agreement on Trade in Services: certain service providers.

Significant Benefit & Other Categories

• Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) — Managers, executives, or specialized knowledge workers transferring to a Canadian branch of the same company.
• French-speaking workers — Francophone mobility stream for French-speaking workers outside Quebec.
• Religious/charitable workers — Workers in religious or charitable roles.
• Academic/research — Researchers, guest lecturers, and similar.
• Self-employed (arts, sports, media) — Individuals who will be self-employed in Canada in these fields.
• Reciprocal employment — Under reciprocal agreements.

Employer Compliance (Offer of Employment)

For most LMIA-exempt work permits, the employer must submit an offer of employment through the IRCC portal and pay the employer compliance fee ($230). The worker then uses the offer number to apply for the work permit. Employers must still meet TFWP/IMP compliance obligations.

Advantages Over LMIA

LMIA-exempt streams are typically faster (no ESDC LMIA step) and require no advertising. They are well-suited to multinational transfers, trade agreement beneficiaries, and francophone workers. Eligibility must be met under the specific stream.