Top occupations for LMIA-exempt work permit holders in Canada in 2021
The International Mobility Program helped international employees find jobs in Canada last year, according to IRCC data
The International Mobility Program covers the majority of Canada’s international workers (IMP). Under the IMP alone, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued about 315,000 work permits in 2021. About 104,000 work permits were given under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).
The requirement for a Labour Market Impact Assessment is the main distinction between the two programmes (LMIA). Employers must file LMIAs under the TFWP to demonstrate that there are no Canadian workers available to do the job and that hiring a foreign worker is necessary.
Because the goal of IMP work permits is to assist Canadian interests, they do not require LMIAs. A significant benefit and reciprocal employment are the two most typical types of IMP work permits. A foreign national whose labour will assist Canadians socially, culturally, or economically is defined as a “substantial benefit” by the government. Reciprocal employment occurs when Canada and another country reach an agreement that allows for the cross-border exchange of workers. Foreign workers can have similar options in Canada that Canadian workers can have abroad, hence the labour market impact is deemed neutral.
The IRCC distributes data on temporary and permanent residents on a monthly basis. These recently revealed statistics show where IMP holders were most likely to be found last year, broken down by occupation and province. The numbers are rounded to the nearest five-digit multiple.
The majority of IMP work permits were accepted in Ontario
In 2021, Ontario received over 135,000 IMP work permits, more than double the number received by British Columbia, which came in second with over 55,000 work permits.
The top five places where IMP work permits were awarded were Quebec, Alberta, and Manitoba.
The province will offer IMP work permits in 2021.
Top vocations in each of the top five provinces
Working experience that falls under one of these NOC codes does not automatically qualify you for an LMIA-exempt work visa. You must be eligible for a TFWP or IMP stream in order to obtain any work permit in Canada. These are only a few of the most popular NOCs that will be stated on an LMIA-exempt work visa in 2021.
Ontario
On Ontario IMP work permits, tech occupations were the most common. Information systems analysts and consultants, software engineers and designers, and computer programmers and interactive media developers ranked first and second, respectively.
Specialist physicians were the fourth most prevalent IMP work permit holders, followed by university professors and lecturers.
By occupation, the top 5 Ontario IMP work permits
B.C.
The IMP work permit holders which were most common in B.C. last year were software developers and designers. Graphic designers and illustrators, university professors and lecturers, and information systems analysts and consultants finished in second and third, respectively.
By occupation, the top 5 IMP work permits in B.C.
Quebec
Last year, graphic designers and illustrators were the most common LMIA-exempt workers in Quebec. Professors and lecturers at universities came in second, followed by teaching and research assistants at post-secondary institutions. The fourth and fifth places were held by specialist physicians and producers, directors, choreographers, and similar jobs.
By occupation, the top 5 Quebec IMP work permits
Alberta
The most common IMP work permit holders in Alberta were university professors and lecturers. Cooks, food service supervisors, post-secondary teaching and research assistants, and transport truck drivers all made the top five.
By occupation, the top 5 Alberta IMP work permits
Manitoba
The most IMP work permits were held by industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers, and related workers in Manitoba. The following positions were filled by transport truck drivers, athletes, cooks, agriculture service contractors, farm supervisors, and specialised livestock workers.
By occupation, the top five Manitoba IMP work permits
How can I receive a work permit that is exempt from the LMIA?
There are numerous job permits that are exempt from the LMIA. The first step in getting one is to study your possibilities and figure out exactly what you want.
You may be eligible for an open work permit, which allows you to work for any Canadian employer in any Canadian province. The IMP covers all open work permits. International student graduates, adolescents from specific countries having reciprocal agreements with Canada, spouses of Canadians, and temporary residents all have open work permit choices.
Certain professionals, investors, and traders from countries with which Canada has free trade agreements are also exempt from the LMIA.
Exemptions are also available to eligible businesses, French-speaking skilled workers, and individuals in occupations that are thought to benefit the country.