When you hire foreign employees, we know your first concern is getting them through the process as quickly and efficiently as possible so they can begin work and start solving the problems you’re hiring them to solve. CIP helps both you and your employees move through the process in an efficient fashion.
Once the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) has been completed and approved it is time to take steps to get your employees into Canada. Here’s what you need to know.
Hiring Permanent Employees
First, you need to issue a written job offer. Employees who can prove that they have arranged employment will have a much easier time moving through the immigration process. This will allow them to use the Express Entry Immigration Selection System to apply for permanent residency.
It’s important to plan ahead when hiring permanent foreign workers, since it can take up to six months for Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to complete the process.
There are three federal economic immigration programs processed through the Express Entry system:
- Federal Skilled Worker
If your intended employee has work experience in a skilled occupation, as determined by the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system, and you have not been able to fill an open job position locally, you, as a Canadian employer, may be able to hire him or her through Express Entry under the Federal Skilled Worker Class.
- Canadian Experience Class
If you have been employing foreign workers on a temporary basis and wish to offer them full-time employment, they may qualify for Canadian immigration under the Canadian Experience Class.
- Federal Skilled Trades Program
The Federal Skilled Trades Class is for individuals who want to become permanent residents of Canada based on being qualified in a skilled trade. If you, as a Canadian employer hiring skilled tradespersons, wish to hire internationally having been unable to do so locally, you may be able to hire employees through this program.
Your province may have a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) which represents an even better option. CIP will help you determine whether your local PNP is a better fast-track option for you and your employees. If you are hiring employees in Quebec you may also be able to take advantage of the Quebec Skilled Worker immigration category.
Skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled positions are all available under some PNP programs. Contact us to ask about your options under your Province’s program.
Hiring Temporary Employees
Hiring employees on a Temporary Work Permit is one of the fastest ways to fill vacancies. This process usually only takes a few weeks to complete. Again, you will need to make a written job offer to begin the process. The Temporary Foreign Worker Program and the International Mobility Program are both available to you.
Contact CIP to discuss your needs.
While this information may make the process of hiring foreign employees seem simple and straightforward, it is nevertheless a legal matter that should be handled with care. CIP can help you save time, save money, and get your employees to work faster. Contact us even before completing your LMIA to increase your chances of being allowed to tap into the exciting global marketplace. We’ll stay with you—and your employees—at every step of the way to ensure the process is as smooth and as stress-free as possible.
