To hire an LMIA-exempt foreign worker in Canada, employers must use the IRCC Employer Portal to submit an official Offer of Employment and pay a $230 CAD employer compliance fee. Doing this generates a unique “A-number” which the worker needs to apply for their work permit.
Hiring global talent is a tremendous asset for Canadian businesses. Under the federal International Mobility Program (IMP), employers can hire temporary foreign workers without undergoing a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). The IMP covers various LMIA-exempt categories, including Intra-Company Transferees, Francophone Mobility candidates, and professionals under free trade agreements like CUSMA. However, federal law mandates strict digital procedures. You must interact directly with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) via the Employer Portal. Failing to submit the correct information or pay the federal levies will block your prospective employee from securing their work permit.
Step-by-Step Process in the IRCC Employer Portal
Whether your business operates in Halifax, Montreal, or Victoria, the federal portal is exactly the same. The process requires careful attention to detail, as discrepancies between the portal data and the worker’s application can result in refusals.
Step 1: Creating a GCKey or Sign-In Partner Account
The first requirement is authenticating your identity with the Canadian government. Go to the federal portal and choose to sign in using either a secure GCKey (a government-issued username and password) or a Sign-In Partner (your Canadian banking login). Most businesses designate a specific HR manager or corporate director to hold these credentials.
Step 2: Enrolling in the Employer Portal
Once authenticated, you must create the employer profile. You will need your Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Business Number. You must also answer a series of security questions and provide the primary contact details for the company. Ensure the legal name of your business matches your CRA registry precisely.
Step 3: Submitting the Offer of Employment
Navigate to the section titled “Submit an Offer of Employment”. Here, you will input comprehensive details about the job. You must outline the job duties, the National Occupational Classification (NOC) code, the exact hourly wage in CAD, and the benefits provided. The terms offered here form a binding legal commitment between the employer and the Canadian government.
Step 4: Paying the $230 CAD Compliance Fee
After completing the digital forms, the portal will prompt you to pay the mandatory employer compliance fee. This fee is currently set at $230 CAD and must be paid using a valid credit card. Keep a copy of the official receipt for your corporate records.
Step 5: Generating the A-Number
Upon successful payment and submission, the system immediately generates an Offer of Employment number (commonly called the “A-number” because it starts with the letter A followed by seven digits). You must provide this exact number to your foreign worker so they can insert it into their work permit application.
Step 6: Maintaining Corporate Records
Submitting the offer of employment is not the final step in the employer’s journey. Under federal regulations, Canadian businesses must keep a meticulous record of the submitted offer, the A-number, and all correspondence with the foreign worker. These records, along with subsequent pay stubs and timesheets, must be stored securely for a minimum of six years. This protects the company in the event of an unannounced compliance audit by Service Canada.
How Much Does the IMP Hiring Process Cost?
When dealing with LMIA-exempt work permits, the financial burden is typically split between the business and the employee, though employers often choose to cover all costs to attract top talent.
- Employer Compliance Fee: $230 CAD (mandatory federal fee).
- Work Permit Processing Fee: $155 CAD (usually paid by the worker, unless the company covers it).
- Open Work Permit Holder Fee: $100 CAD (if applicable, though IMP usually involves closed, employer-specific permits).
- Lawyer Fees: Retaining a local Canadian lawyer or law firm to manage the Employer Portal and the worker’s visa application generally costs between $2,000 and $4,500 CAD.
How Long Does the Process Take?
Registering the company and submitting the offer of employment through the IRCC portal can usually be completed in a single afternoon, provided you have all the corporate and wage data ready. However, once the A-number is generated and the worker applies, the actual work permit processing time can take anywhere from 2 to 12 weeks, depending on whether they apply from outside Canada, inside Canada, or at a port of entry.
| Task | Responsible Party | Estimated Timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| GCKey Registration | Employer | 15 – 30 Minutes |
| Offer of Employment Submission | Employer | 1 – 2 Hours |
| Work Permit Application | Foreign Worker | 2 – 12 Weeks (via IRCC) |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can an immigration lawyer manage the Employer Portal for me?
Yes, Canadian employers can designate an authorized representative (such as a licensed lawyer) through the portal using a secondary access PIN to manage submissions on their behalf.
What if I make a mistake on the Offer of Employment?
If the work permit has not been approved yet, you can withdraw the offer and submit a new one. However, you will have to request a refund for the first $230 fee and pay it again for the new submission.
Do I need to pay the compliance fee if hiring an open work permit holder?
No, the Employer Portal and the $230 CAD compliance fee are only required for employer-specific (closed) work permits under the International Mobility Program.
Is the $230 CAD fee refundable if the worker is denied?
Yes, if the worker’s permit is refused by IRCC, the employer compliance fee is automatically refunded to the credit card used for the transaction.
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