New LMIA-exempt work permit introduced for tech talent in Canada. A new work permit has been introduced by the IRCC as a component of the International Mobility Program’s (IMP) Innovation Stream. This Innovation Stream is a crucial part of the Tech Personnel Strategy, which was introduced in 2023 and aims to draw in qualified personnel to strengthen Canada’s standing as a leader in the world of technology.

If a competent foreign worker receives a job offer from a company involved in the Global Hypergrowth Project, they can now apply for a work visa unique to their business. These eight businesses were chosen by the government because they are regarded as leaders in their respective industries, trailblazers, and have enormous growth potential. Workers who meet the requirements can get a work permit without having to complete a Labor Market Impact Assessment.

The Canadian government requires an LMIA, or labor market impact assessment, before issuing work permits to certain employers. Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) has released this document, which is intended to assess the possible effects of hiring a foreign worker on the labor market in Canada. The evaluation establishes if hiring a foreign worker would benefit, have no effect on, or negatively affect the Canadian workforce as well as whether foreign workers are required to cover labor shortages.

An employer-specific work permit may be supported by an LMIA only if the study produces a “positive” or “neutral” report. A positive LMIA shows that no Canadian worker or permanent resident is available to fill the position, despite a documented necessity for a foreign worker to do so. A neutral outcome implies that the hiring of the overseas employee won’t hurt the labor market in Canada.

Eligibility Criteria for the New Innovation Stream Work Permit

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

  • Job Offer from a GHP Employer: They need to have an offer of employment from a company involved in the Global Hypergrowth Project (GHP).
  • High-Skilled Occupation: An offer of employment must be made for a high-skilled position, which includes jobs falling into categories 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the NOC for Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER).
  • Relevant Education and Experience: Candidates must meet the qualifications listed in the NOC’s job criteria section for the occupation they plan to pursue in terms of education and experience.

Applicants who meet the requirements may apply from outside of Canada for this stream.

Furthermore, candidates who have been hired for an occupation that falls under TEER categories 0 or 1 of the NOC may be eligible for faster processing periods for their work permits.

In Canada, professions are described and categorized using the NOC system. TEER rankings are used to further organize positions according to the qualifications needed for each role, including education, experience, training, and responsibilities.

Prior to submitting their application to the Innovation Stream, candidates’ employers need to meet the following criteria:

  • Submit an Offer of Employment: An official offer of employment must be made by the employer.
  • Pay the Employer Compliance Fee: For compliance purposes, the employer is required to pay a fee of $230 CAD.
  • Provide an Offer of Employment Number: The company must provide an offer of employment number to the employee or prospective employee. This number is required for the application procedure.

Selected Employers for the Innovation Stream

The following employers have been acknowledged by the Canadian government as fitting with its “industrial innovation objectives”:

Ada Support Inc.

With its AI-powered platform, Ada Support Inc., a Toronto-based company, is transforming customer service. The company automates interactions across several languages and channels to shift customer support from an agent-centric approach to an AI-centric one. Ada’s platform combines voice technology with generative AI to facilitate multi-channel automation, cutting wait times and providing customized customer experiences.

AlayaCare

AlayaCare provides home care organizations with an AI-powered platform to improve their management and planning procedures. The platform helps clinicians provide better care by streamlining scheduling, time reporting, and clinical recording. Furthermore, it enhances patient outcomes through improved patient monitoring. The main goals of AlayaCare’s technologies are to minimize hospital readmissions, detect adverse occurrences, and save operational expenses.

CellCarta

CellCarta is a precision medicine company based in Montreal, Quebec. It offers full sample measurement services as well as customized testing solutions. With expertise in biomarker research, the company uncovers genetic, biological, and environmental factors affecting patient treatment responses. Consequently, this leads to the development of more tailored medicines. The company excels in immune surveillance, histopathology, proteomics, and genomics.

Clarius Mobile Health

Based in British Columbia, Clarius Mobile Health is committed to democratizing access to advanced medical imaging by providing high-performing, cost-effective, and intuitive AI-powered solutions. Moreover, the company, which is well-known for its advancements in ultrasound technology, creates wireless, high-definition point-of-care devices for a range of medical specialties. By providing real-time imaging, these systems enhance patient care and increase clinical services.

Clio

With its cloud-based software, Clio, a company established in Burnaby, British Columbia, is revolutionizing the legal sector. The platform streamlines operations for legal professionals by managing client intake, contact management, calendaring, and document management. Additionally, it handles timekeeping, billing, payments, and trust accounting.

Duchesnay Pharmaceutical Group (DPG)

The Blainville, Quebec-based Duchesnay Pharmaceutical Group is dedicated to creating novel drugs that improve patient health and quality of life. The company uses a distinctive business model to function in Canada and exports its treatments to more than 50 countries. To increase its market share, the company has formed strategic collaborations.

Lightspeed Commerce

Lightspeed Commerce, a Montréal-based company founded in 2005, offers technological solutions to restaurants and retailers to help them improve customer experiences and optimize operations. Businesses can handle every aspect from a single system thanks to the platform’s integration of management capabilities for both in-store and online transactions, including inventory updates and embedded payments. The company’s main clientele are small and medium-sized businesses.

Vive Crop Protection

Vive Crop Protection, with its headquarters in Mississauga, Ontario, creates cutting-edge crop protection solutions that maximize crop quality and reduce environmental impact. It improves efficacy and lowers hazards by precisely delivering active ingredients where needed through the use of unique Allosperse technology. Additionally, this technology makes it safe to use with other chemicals, fertilizers, and micronutrients. As well as it improves application efficiency and conserves resources.

Recent Updates on Work Permits and LMIA Regulations

Amidst increasing limitations on work permits and Labor Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs), a new permission policy is being established.

The Canadian government announced a major regulatory change impacting low-wage LMIAs on August 26. The notification announced the discontinuation of low-wage LMIA processing in some Canadian cities. Census metropolitan areas (CMAs) with unemployment rates of 6% or greater are affected by this shift. The program does provide exceptions for jobs in vital industries. Specifically, these include primary agriculture, food processing, fish processing, construction, and healthcare.

Canada Halts Job-Supported Work Permit Applications for Visitors

Apart from the latest modifications in LMIA procedures, the Canadian government has also reversed the temporary work visa regulations from the COVID-19 era. Previously, foreign visitors to Canada may apply domestically for work permits backed by their jobs. But that’s no longer acceptable.

Other forms of work permits remain accessible for visitors applying from within Canada. However, job-supported work permits are no longer available, regardless of whether they require an LMIA.

These modifications run counter to the most recent disclosure on the Innovation Stream. This demonstrates Canada’s ongoing dedication to employing international talent. Consequently, the country is investing in these professionals to support the digital sector and adjacent businesses.