The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TWFP) is intended to be used when you are facing short-term
skills and labour shortages, and only when no Canadians and permanent residents are available.
Apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to determine if you can hire a foreign worker to
fill labour or skills shortages on a temporary basis.
As an employer, you must comply with TFWP requirements. These requirements may vary depending on the
position you are requesting. To get an LMIA, you must submit an application form and all the necessary
supporting documents. Your application will be assessed to validate the legitimacy of the business, the job
offer and the impact of hiring a temporary foreign worker would have on the Canadian labour market.
BEFORE YOU APPLY
Verify if Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) will refuse to process your Labour Market Impact
Assessment application
Determine the stream under which you want to apply
high-wage workers stream
low-wage workers stream
workers through the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program stream, or
workers through the Agricultural Stream
Ensure you know about the Program requirements for the stream. If after applying you decide you want to
apply under a different stream, you will need to cancel your original application and reapply under the new
stream. Processing fees are not refunded and cannot be transferred to your new application
APPLY
You must complete, sign and send the application along with all required documentation and the
processing fee, to the appropriate Service Canada Processing Centre. The application package must include:
Under high-wage workers stream
Labour Market Impact Assessment application form for high-wage positions (EMP5626)
proof of business legitimacy
proof of recruitment
Under low-wage workers stream
Labour Market Impact Assessment application form for low-wage positions (EMP5627)
proof of business legitimacy
proof of recruitment
Employment Contract
If you are applying under the 2-year duration pilot for meat processors:
Schedule L: Two-year Employment Duration for Meat Processors Pilot
If applicable, a letter of union support which is on union letterhead and signed by an authorized
union official.
Under workers through the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program stream
LMIA application form (EMP5389)
proof of business legitimacy
proof of advertisement, applicable in most cases
copy of signed off-site housing contract, if applicable
housing inspection report
Under workers through the Agricultural Stream
LMIA Application form (EMP5519)
Employment contract (EMP5510)
Proof of business legitimacy
Proof of advertisement, applicable in most cases
copy of signed off-site housing contract, if applicable
Housing inspection report
Application process in the province of Quebec
There are certain provisions that need to be followed when hiring temporary foreign workers in
positions located in the province of Quebec.
AFTER YOU APPLY
ESDC/Service Canada will assess the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) application submitted by
the employer to determine what impact hiring a temporary foreign worker (TFW) would have on Canada's labour
market. Based on the application and the documents received, you will receive a positive or negative LMIA in the
form of a letter.
NEED HELP?
Get in Touch for more information or for applying for a LMIA or/and help your workers apply for a work permit.
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TWFP) is intended to be used when you are facing short-term skills and labour shortages, and only when no Canadians and permanent residents are available.
Apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to determine if you can hire a foreign worker to fill labour or skills shortages on a temporary basis.
As an employer, you must comply with TFWP requirements. These requirements may vary depending on the position you are requesting. To get an LMIA, you must submit an application form and all the necessary supporting documents. Your application will be assessed to validate the legitimacy of the business, the job offer and the impact of hiring a temporary foreign worker would have on the Canadian labour market.
BEFORE YOU APPLY
APPLY
You must complete, sign and send the application along with all required documentation and the processing fee, to the appropriate Service Canada Processing Centre. The application package must include:
Under high-wage workers stream
Under low-wage workers stream
Under workers through the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program stream
Under workers through the Agricultural Stream
Application process in the province of Quebec
There are certain provisions that need to be followed when hiring temporary foreign workers in positions located in the province of Quebec.
AFTER YOU APPLY
ESDC/Service Canada will assess the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) application submitted by the employer to determine what impact hiring a temporary foreign worker (TFW) would have on Canada's labour market. Based on the application and the documents received, you will receive a positive or negative LMIA in the form of a letter.
NEED HELP?
Get in Touch for more information or for applying for a LMIA or/and help your workers apply for a work permit.