Temporary Foreign Worker Program

Most employers need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) before they can hire a temporary worker. Before you start the hiring process, you must determine if you need an LMIA. If you do need an LMIA, you must hire the temporary worker through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).The TFWP lets employers hire foreign workers to fill temporary labour and skill shortages. A positive LMIA will show that there is a need for the foreign worker to fill the job you are offering and that there is no Canadian worker available to do the job.Once a positive LMIA has been issued, you should provide a copy of the confirmation letter to each temporary worker and advise each of them to apply for a work permit. Visit the Temporary Foreign Worker Program page to find more information about LMIAs, application forms, and employer responsibilities.

Hiring in the province of Quebec

If you are an employer from Quebec, your job candidate may also need to get a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ) from the Quebec government before a work permit can be issued. For information about the CAQ, see the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Diversité et de l’Inclusion (Quebec’s immigration department) website.