LMIA exempt Work Permits

Jobs exempt from the LMIA

• covered by an international agreement like CUSMA or GATS, and non-trade agreements. This can include professionals, traders and investors, or an agreement between Canada and a province or territory. This includes “significant investment” projects.
• exempt for “Canadian interests” reasons:

• “significant benefit” – if employer can prove that employee will bring an important social, cultural, and/or economic benefit to Canada. This can include: general: Self-employed engineers, technical workers, creative and performing artists, etc.
• workers transferred within a company (intra-company transferees with specialized knowledge) – only those that will benefit Canada with their skills and experience
• workers under Mobilité francophone
• reciprocal employment – lets foreign workers get jobs in Canada : general (such as professional coaches and athletes working for Canadian teams)
• International Experience Canada – a work abroad program for youth and young professionals
• people in exchange programs like professors and visiting lecturers

• designated by the Minister

• academics, including researchers, guest lecturers and visiting professors (sponsored through a recognized federal program)
• competitiveness and public policy

• medical residents and fellows
• post-doctoral fellows and people who have won academic awards from Canadian schools

• Charity and religious work (not including volunteers)