IRCC Launches New LMIA-Exempt Work Permit for Select Tech Companies in Canada

Canada has introduced a new work permit under the Innovation Stream of the International Mobility Program (IMP), which is part of the Tech Talent Strategy launched in 2023. This strategy aims to attract top tech talent and grow Canada’s global leadership in the tech industry.

As part of this initiative, skilled foreign workers can now apply for a work permit without the need for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) if they have a job offer from one of the eight selected companies participating in the Global Hypergrowth Project. These companies are recognized as leaders in their industries with strong growth potential.

Who Can Apply for This New Work Permit?

To be eligible for the work permit under the Innovation Stream, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• They must have a job offer from an employer participating in the Global Hypergrowth Project (GHP).
• The job offer must be for a high-skilled position listed in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) categories TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.
• Applicants must meet the specific education and experience requirements for the occupation listed in the NOC.
  
  

This stream is open to eligible applicants both inside and outside Canada. Additionally, applicants for positions in TEER categories 0 or 1 may benefit from faster processing times.

What Is the NOC System?

The NOC system categorizes occupations in Canada based on the Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) required for each job. This system helps define the skills needed to perform a particular role.

Steps Employers Must Take

Before applying for the Innovation Stream work permit, employers need to:

• Submit an offer of employment.
• Pay a $230 CAD employer compliance fee.
• Provide the employee or prospective employee with an employment offer number.
  
  

Selected Companies for the Innovation Stream

The Canadian government has identified the following companies as part of its “industrial innovation goals” under the Global Hypergrowth Project:

1. Ada Support Inc. – An AI-driven company focused on transforming customer service with AI-powered automation.
2. AlayaCare – Provides AI-powered tools for home care agencies to improve patient outcomes and reduce operational costs.
3. CellCarta – Specializes in precision medicine and biomarker research to create more targeted therapies.
4. Clarius Mobile Health – Develops portable, AI-powered ultrasound technology for real-time medical imaging.
5. Clio – A legal tech company that offers cloud-based software for law firms.
6. Duchesnay Pharmaceutical Group – Develops and exports pharmaceutical treatments aimed at improving patient health.
7. Lightspeed Commerce – Provides technology solutions to help retailers and restaurateurs streamline their operations.
8. Vive Crop Protection – Develops eco-friendly crop protection products using its patented Allosperse technology.
   
   

Recent Changes to Work Permits and LMIAs

This new work permit comes amid several changes to work permit policies in Canada. As of August 2023, the government announced that it will no longer process low-wage LMIAs in cities where the unemployment rate is 6% or higher. Some sectors, such as agriculture and healthcare, are exempt from this restriction.

Additionally, the government has rolled back temporary COVID-era policies that allowed visitors in Canada to apply for job-supported work permits. Visitors can still apply for other types of work permits from within the country, but job-supported work permits now require applicants to follow different rules.

This new LMIA-exempt work permit underlines Canada’s commitment to attracting tech talent, even as other areas of the work permit process become more restrictive. If you're a tech professional with an offer from one of the companies in the Global Hypergrowth Project, this could be your path to working in Canada without needing an LMIA.