Business Immigration Pathways
Business Visitors
Some foreign nationals may enter Canada as business visitors for the purposes of attending business meetings, seminars, conferences or provide certain after-sales services in Canada. They are not allowed to enter Canadian labour market (cannot work and be remunerated in Canada). They must clearly declare their purpose of visit and obtain TRV or eTA depending on their eligibility.
After-Sales Services
An after-sales Canadian work permit is a part of a business visitor work exemption that allows foreign nationals to enter Canada to provide after-sales or lease services without needing a work permit. These services include:
- Repairing, servicing, or supervising work on equipment, machinery, or software manufactured and purchased outside Canada.
- Installing, setting up and testing commercial equipment, machinery or software, provided it requires proprietary or product-specific knowledge.
- Training or supervising Canadian workers on the use of the equipment, machinery or software.
Important considerations:
- After-sales terms must be in the original agreement of purchase and sale
- Visitor Record is usually issued
- Must not enter Canadian labour market
- The person who provides after-sales services does not have to come from the same company the equipment was purchased from, it can be from the third-party service provider, conditions apply.
Francophone Mobility Work Permit
The Francophone Mobility Work Permit is a pathway under Canada’s International Mobility Program (IMP) designed to help employers hire French-speaking foreign workers for positions located outside the province of Quebec. This initiative supports the growth of Francophone communities across Canada and promotes the use of the French language in the workforce.
The Mobilite Francophone Stream is aimed at attracting skilled francophone workers and encouraging to settle in franc
One of the key advantages of this program is that it is LMIA-exempt, meaning employers are not required to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment or prove that no Canadian worker is available for the role. This significantly simplifies and speeds up the hiring process.
Key Features of the Program
- French Language Requirement:
The applicant must demonstrate an intermediate level of French proficiency (typically equivalent to CLB 5 or higher in speaking and listening). - Job Location:
The position must be located outside of Quebec, as Quebec manages its own immigration programs for Francophone workers. - No LMIA Requirement:
Employers do not need to show labour market shortages, making the process more efficient and accessible. - Broad Eligibility for Occupations:
The job must generally fall under skilled occupations (TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3), although certain lower-skilled roles may also qualify depending on the situation. - No Prior Relationship Required:
The foreign worker does not need to have previous work experience with the employer, making it accessible to new hires.
Employer Requirements
While the LMIA is not required, employers must still:
- Submit an offer of employment through the employer compliance portal
- Pay the employer compliance fee
- Ensure the job offer meets wage and working condition standards
Employers remain subject to compliance inspections to ensure program requirements are met.
Benefits of the Francophone Mobility Work Permit
- Faster processing times:
Some applicants—particularly those in executive or professional roles—may be eligible for expedited processing (as fast as two weeks under certain conditions). - Open opportunities across Canada:
This program allows French-speaking workers to access employment opportunities in provinces where Francophone talent is in demand. - Pathway to Permanent Residence:
Gaining Canadian work experience through this permit can support future immigration applications, including programs managed under Express Entry or Provincial Nominee Programs. - Support for bilingual candidates:
Applicants who speak both English and French may benefit from additional immigration advantages, including higher CRS scores in Express Entry.
Purpose of the Program
The Francophone Mobility Work Permit reflects Canada’s commitment to strengthening Francophone minority communities outside Quebec. By making it easier for employers to hire French-speaking talent, the program contributes to economic growth, cultural diversity, and linguistic vitality across the country.
This program is an excellent option for French-speaking professionals seeking to work in Canada without the delays associated with LMIA-based work permits, while also building a pathway toward long-term immigration opportunities.
LMIA Based Work Permit
A foreign national must secure employment with a Canadian employer who has obtained a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from ESDC in order to be eligible to apply for a work permit.
The LMIA is a formal authorization issued to Canadian employers, confirming that hiring a foreign worker will not have a negative impact on the domestic labour market. To obtain this approval, the employer must demonstrate a genuine need for foreign talent and commit to offering wages and working conditions that meet or exceed the prevailing standards for the position.
Work permits issued under the TFWP are employer-specific, reflecting a highly regulated framework. This means the foreign worker’s work permit is “closed” work permit and the foreign worker is authorized to work exclusively for the employer named on the permit. Should the worker wish to change employer, a new process must be initiated: the prospective employer must first obtain a new LMIA, followed by the foreign national applyaing for and securing a new work permit.
Spouses and dependent children of the foreign worker may be eligible for open work permit and study permit/visitor records (as applicable).
LMIA Exempt Work Permits
International Mobility Program (IMP)
The International Mobility Program (IMP) represents a strategic framework within Canada’s immigration system, encompassing all work permit categories that are exempt from the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) requirement.
Designed to advance Canada’s broader economic, cultural, and international objectives, the IMP facilitates the entry of foreign nationals whose employment delivers significant reciprocal benefits. This includes professionals entering under international agreements, such as free trade agreements, as well as key personnel transferred within multinational organizations through intra-company transfers.
While exempt from the LMIA process, the IMP maintains a rigorous compliance structure. Employers engaging foreign talent under this program remain fully accountable to regulatory standards and are subject to the same compliance inspections and enforcement measures applicable under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
Intra-Company Transfers (ICT)
Multinational companies and Canadian businesses with global operations may transfer key personnel, including executives, senior managers, and employees with specialized proprietary knowledge, to Canada. This streamlined pathway facilitates the movement of essential talent to support business growth and continuity.
Requirements
- Currently employed by a multinational company
- Continuously employed by a multinational company outside Canada in a similar position for at least one year in the three-year period preceding the application.
ICT Start-up Requirements
- Establish and register a new entity in Canada
- Establish physical Canadian address
- Create a business plan
Free Trade Agreements
Canada’s network of international free trade agreements offers a wide and expedited pathway for qualified professionals seeking temporary work authorization. Through these agreements, eligible foreign nationals may access streamlined entry into the Canadian labour market without the requirement for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
To qualify, applicants must secure a valid offer of employment from a Canadian employer in an occupation covered by the applicable agreement and meet all admissibility requirements under Canadian immigration law.
Canada maintains a robust portfolio of free trade agreements with key global partners, including the United States and Mexico under the North American Free Trade Agreement (CUSMA), as well as agreements with countries such as Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Jordan, and Israel, Honduras, Panama, Peru, South Korea, Ukraine.
A landmark development in this framework is the Canada–European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which came into force in 2017. This agreement significantly enhances mobility for business visitors and select categories of skilled professionals, further strengthening Canada’s position within the global economy.
Significant Benefit (C10)
Intended to address situation where the significant social, economic or cultural benefits to Canada of issuing the work permit are so clear that the importance of the LMIA process can be overcome.
The impact on Canada’s labour market should be neutral or positive with the issuance of the work permit. It needs to be shown how unique the skill set of the person is an the tie that specific example of how Canadians/Permanent Residents will benefit in a significant way from their presence in Canada.
- For example, can include key data about the number of people who will benefit, skills that will be transferred, the uniqueness of the position and/or sector, jobs that will or might be created, and financial gain, as applicable.
- Documentary evidence of the benefit can also be included in the application materials, as applicable.
- Important to note that this is a very discretionary category.
Reciprocal Employment
Reciprocal employment is useful for getting international talent into Canadian workforce. Under this category, foreign nationals may qualify for a work permit if the Canadian employer has a global presence.
To qualify:
- The employer may show that the exchange agreement or global mobility policy is in place where Canadian/Permanent Resident employees have been transferred on the company’s locations or entities abroad
- Reciprocity does not need to be exact (i.e. one-for-one exchange) but should be reasonably similar annually, creating neutral labour market impact
- Organizations that have demonstrated a history of reciprocal exchanges may be permitted some flexibility in the flow of exchange on an annual basis
The Innovation Stream Work Permit
The Innovation Stream Work Permit is an LMIA-exempt, employer-specific work permit designed to support Canada’s economic growth by attracting highly skilled foreign talent to innovative and high-growth companies.
This work permit may be issued for a duration of up to five years, providing long-term stability for both employers and foreign workers.
Who is this program for?
This stream targets highly skilled workers who:
- Have received a valid job offer in Canada
- Are employed in in-demand occupations, typically within
National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3 - Will work for employers identified by the Government of Canada as key contributors to innovation and economic growth
More specifically, eligible employers are those participating in initiatives such as the Global Hypergrowth Project (GHP)—a program that supports Canadian companies experiencing rapid expansion and requiring global talent to scale their operations.
Global Skills Strategy (GSS)
The Global Skills Strategy (GSS) was introduced on June 12, 2017, as part of Canada’s initiative to provide faster and more efficient access to highly skilled foreign talent. Its primary goal is to help Canadian companies remain competitive by reducing administrative barriers, attracting foreign investment, and accelerating the hiring of global expertise.
This strategy reflects Canada’s commitment to supporting innovation and economic growth by enabling employers to quickly fill critical skill shortages.
Key Objectives of the Global Skills Strategy
- Provide expedited processing of work permit applications (often within two weeks)
- Reduce regulatory burdens for employers
- Attract highly skilled global talent to Canada
- Support the growth of Canadian businesses in high-demand and innovative sectors
Main Pathways Under the Global Skills Strategy
The Global Skills Strategy operates through two primary pathways:
- Short-Duration Work Permit Exemptions
Under this pathway, certain highly skilled workers may enter Canada without requiring a work permit, provided their stay is short-term.
Eligibility includes:
- Highly skilled workers (TEER 0 or 1) entering Canada for 1-15 or 30 consecutive calendar days or less and six months have passed since first day of work under the previous use of this exemption; or for 16-30 days and 12 months have passed since first day of work under previous use of this exemption (depending on the situation),
- Researchers working at publicly funded, degree-granting institutions (such as universities or colleges) for up to 120 days once every 12 months
This exemption allows Canadian organizations to bring in specialized talent quickly for short-term projects, consultations, or urgent business needs.
- Global Talent Stream (GTS)
The Global Talent Stream is part of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and provides priority processing for employers seeking to hire highly skilled foreign workers.
Applications under this stream are typically processed within two weeks, making it one of the fastest immigration pathways available.
The program is divided into two categories:
Category A – High-Growth Companies
This category is designed for innovative and rapidly growing companies that require unique and specialized talent.
Requirements:
- The employer must be referred by a designated partner organization
- The position must involve unique and specialized talent, defined as individuals who:
- Possess advanced knowledge of their industry
- Hold an advanced degree in a relevant field and/or
- Have at least five years of specialized experience
- The position must offer a high salary, typically $80,000 CAD or higher annually, or consistent with prevailing wages
Category B – In-Demand Occupations
This category is for employers seeking to fill positions listed on the Global Talent Occupations List, which includes many high-demand roles in technology, engineering, and digital industries.
Examples of eligible occupations include:
- Computer and information systems managers (NOC 20012)
- Civil engineers (NOC 21300)
- Electrical and Electronics Engineers (NOC21310)
- Mining Engineers (NOC 21330)
- Aerospace Engineers (NOC 21390)
- Computer engineers (except software developers and designers) (NOC 21311)
- Data scientists (NOC 21211)
- Cybersecurity specialists (NOC 21220)
- Database analysts and data administrators (NOC 21223)
- Information System Specialists (NOC 21222)
- Business System Specialists (NOC 21221)
- Web developers and programmers (NOC 21234)
- Computer Systems developers and programmers (21230)
- Software Engineers and designers (NOC 21231)
- Software Developers and Programmers (NOC 21232)
- Web designers (NOC 21233)
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians (NOC 22310)
- Computer Network and Web Technicians (NOC 22220)
- Information Systems Testing Technicians (NOC 22222)
- Producer, technical, creative and artistic director and project manager – Visual effects and video game **The position must require a minimum of 3 years of experience in the visual effects, video game or animation industries in 1 or a combination of the following roles: producer, technical director, creative director, artistic director or project manager, senior coordinator, department manager, with 3 years of job experience in at least 1 or more of the following skills relevant to the visual effects, video game or animation industries: surfacing and look development; character or simulation rigging; matte painting; managing budgets or teams; or technical pipeline development and application for visual effects, video games, or animation production. (sub-set of NOC 51120**)
- Digital media designers ***The position must require a minimum of 3 years of job experience in at least 1 of the following digital media design skills: 3D modeling, compositing, paint and roto, layout and match move, digital environment and Matte painting, texture, lighting shading, character effects, effects and simulations, design and scenario, rigging, user interface or user experience, responsive design (for gaming), virtual reality, augmented reality, digital media animation, levels editing for digital media design, software editing for digital media design, pipeline software development or applications relevant for digital media design (Sub-set of NOC 52120***)
Wage Requirements:
- Employers must offer at least the prevailing wage for the occupation
- Some roles have specific minimum salary thresholds, often ranging from approximately $80,000 to $86,000 annually or higher, depending on the occupation and region
For positions in Quebec, employers must comply with wage requirements set by the provincial authority.
Why the Global Skills Strategy Matters
The Global Skills Strategy plays a vital role in:
- Enabling Canadian employers to compete globally for top talent
- Supporting growth in technology, engineering, and innovation sectors
- Reducing delays in hiring highly specialized workers
- Strengthening Canada’s position as a destination for global expertise
experience, and the potential economic benefit to Canada.
Preparing a Business Immigration Application
Applying through a business immigration pathway requires careful planning and detailed documentation. Applicants may need to provide a business plan, financial information, proof of experience, and other supporting materials that demonstrate the viability of their proposed venture. A well-prepared application helps present a clear case for how the business will operate and contribute to Canada’s economy.
Visa Categories
- Visit Canada
- Business Visitors
- Work in Canada
- Solutions for Employers
- Intra-Company Transfers
- International Mobility Program
- Provincial Nominees Program
- Study in Canada
- Supervisa
- Family Sponsorship
- Permanent Residence
- Citizenship
- PR Card Renewal
- Extend your status in Canada
- Humanitarian & Compassionate (H&C)
- Asylum & Refugees
- Removal Orders
Why clients choose us
We understand what is at stake and bring a calm, respectful approach to every case.
You always know what comes next, what we need from you, and how your file is progressing.
Every client’s situation is different. We recommend the most appropriate pathway for your goals.
We explain the “why,” not just the “what,” so you can make confident decisions.
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