Canada’s International Mobility Program (IMP)

A new addition to the TFWP is the International Mobility Program (IMP). This program allows foreign nationals to be LMIA-exempt. The IMP’s primary objective is to advance Canada’s broad economic and cultural national interest. As a result, this program is not based on filling particular jobs or meeting employer demands. Rather, this program encompasses multilateral/bilateral agreements with other countries (e.g. NAFTA, GATS). Additionally, these workers are primarily high skilled workers with high wages from developed countries (ie. U.S.A).

Examples of occupations covered by NAFTA (IMP) are:

Accountant, Architect , Computer Systems Analyst, Disaster Relief Insurance Claims Adjuster, Economist, Engineer, Forester, Graphic Designer, Hotel Manager, Industrial Designer, Interior Designer, Land Surveyor, Landscape Architect, Lawyer , Librarian, Management Consultant, Mathematician (including Statistician), Range Manager/Range Conservationalist, Research Assistant (working in a post-secondary educational institution), Scientific Technician/Technologist , Social Worker, Sylviculturist (including Forestry Specialist), Technical Publications Writer, Urban Planner (including Geographer), Vocational Counsellor, Dentist, Doctor, Dietitian, Medical Laboratory Technologist , Nutritionist, Occupational Therapist, Pharmacist, Physician (teaching or research only), Physiotherapist/Physical Therapist, Psychologist, Recreational Therapist, Nurse, Veterinarian, Scientist, Teacher, Agriculturist (including Agronomist), Animal Breeder, Animal Scientist, Apiculturist, Astronomer, Biochemist, Biologist, Chemist, Dairy Scientist, Entomologist, Epidemiologist, Geneticist, Geologist, Geochemist, Geophysicist, Horticulturist, Meteorologist, Pharmacologist, Physicist (including Oceanographer in Canada), Plant Breeder, Poultry Scientist, Soil Scientist, and a Zoologist.

Employers should be aware of these categories. Allowing employers to hire individuals who are LMIA exempt greatly eases the hiring of a foreign national to work in Canada. This advantage allows more highly skilled foreign workers into Canada, and ultimately contributes to Canada’s economy and well being. Canada is one of the most multicultural countries and we feel that the IMP is proof of this, compared to the LMIA which we feel hinders multiculturalism and the Canadian economy. The Canadian Law Group believes that a foreign worker should be encouraged to bring their skills, education, and finances to the Canadian economy and marketplace. The IMP embraces foreign workers and acknowledges that the LMIA discourages employers to seek foreign workers.

Let us continue to improve the Canadian economy and the well- being of our nation (which was built by immigrants), by either eliminating the LMIA or lessening the requirements for the LMIA for foreign workers in the TFWP.

For more information about how to hire a Foreign National, or any other Canadian Immigration issue, please contact our Canadian lawyers at www.visaserve.com, or contact the Canadian Law Group’s manager directly at Veronique_malka@visaserve.com.