Temporary Foreign Worker Program

Hiring Skilled Workers and Supporting their Permanent Immigration

Making a permanent job offer to a Skilled Worker can be an effective way to fill a full-time position in your company and bring needed skills to Canada.

If you plan to hire a Skilled Worker for a permanent position in your company, and at the same time, strengthen his/her application for permanent immigration to Canada, you can choose to:

• Submit an application for an HRSDC labour market opinion (LMO)

  A positive LMO is one requirement that Citizenship and Immigration Canada considers when deciding to issue a work permit allowing the person to work in Canada. At the same time, a positive LMO, the work permit, and your permanent job offer also strengthen the worker's application for permanent residency to Canada.

  or

• Submit an application for an HRSDC arranged employment opinion (AEO)

  A positive AEO supports the immigration of a Skilled Worker to Canada and is one factor that CIC considers when reviewing an application for permanent residency. Please note that an HRSDC AEO only supports the person's application for permanent residency, but will not result in CIC issuing a work permit and does not allow the person to work in Canada before receiving his/her permanent residency.

Some countries may require that their citizens meet certain conditions if they want to work in Canada (e.g. approval to leave the country, employer to pay transportation costs and/or medical coverage). Ask the foreign worker to verify if additional conditions apply in his/her country, contact the country's consulate in Canada or check its website to find out if you must meet additional requirements.

** NOTE :

Please note that the Skilled Worker can apply directly to CIC for permanent residency and can gain additional points for having a permanent job offer from you if he/she already holds a work permit that :

• Is valid at the time of application and was originally issued by CIC based on a positive HRSDC labour market opinion (including national opinions like the Canada Research Chairs program).

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