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LMIA-Exempt Work Permits Canada (2026) – International Mobility Program
Understand LMIA-exempt work permits in Canada under the International Mobility Program, including common routes, Employer Portal steps, and how the worker applies.
Table of Contents
What is the International Mobility Program?
The International Mobility Program (IMP) allows employers to hire certain temporary foreign workers without a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). An LMIA exemption does not by itself give a foreign national authority to work in Canada or guarantee a work permit. Under the IMP, some workers are work-permit exempt, some hold or qualify for open work permits, and others need an employer-specific LMIA-exempt work permit. In most employer-specific IMP cases, the employer must submit the offer of employment through the Employer Portal and pay the $230 employer compliance fee (IRCC fee list, ircc.canada.ca, page modified 2 July 2026, checked 18 September 2026) before the worker applies, unless an employer-compliance exemption applies. The employer then gives the worker the 7-digit offer of employment number for the work permit application.
For current employer and worker steps, see IRCC’s who you can hire under the IMP and how to hire under the IMP.
What does LMIA Exempt mean?
LMIA-exempt means the employer does not need a positive LMIA for the specific route being used. The worker must still fit the exact exemption or permit category and meet all applicable work-permit eligibility and admissibility requirements when a work permit is required. Significant benefit to Canada is one possible LMIA-exemption basis; it is not the universal test for every IMP case. If no LMIA exemption applies, compare the LMIA-based Temporary Foreign Worker Program route.
How do international agreements support LMIA-exempt work permits?
International agreements can support LMIA-exempt employer-specific work permits in defined situations. Examples include provisions under CUSMA, CETA, GATS and other agreements Canada has implemented. The name of an agreement alone does not make a person eligible. The exact provision and the applicant’s nationality or status, occupation or business-person category, employer, job offer and other work-permit requirements must all fit the route being used.
Who can be hired without an LMIA under the IMP?
IRCC’s current IMP framework includes different situations rather than one single eligibility test. These include workers who are exempt from needing a work permit, workers who hold or qualify for an open work permit, and workers who need an employer-specific LMIA-exempt work permit. Employer-specific examples can include eligible workers under international agreements, Francophone Mobility, certain International Experience Canada categories, and other exemption provisions. Significant benefit is one basis within the framework, not the rule for every IMP case. Workers building Canadian experience on these permits can also read the Canadian Experience Class requirements.
Intra-company transferees may qualify for an employer-specific LMIA-exempt work permit only when the applicable employee, role, corporate-relationship and other program requirements are met. The corporate relationship alone does not establish work-permit eligibility. Last reviewed: September 18, 2026 against current IRCC International Mobility Program employer and worker instructions.
One employer-specific LMIA-exempt route is the Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) work permit. Business owners considering significant-benefit work-permit strategies can also review the C11 work permit guide.
Which LMIA-exempt route should you check first?
LMIA-exempt is not one single work-permit category. The correct starting point depends on why the LMIA exemption applies and whether the worker needs an open permit, an employer-specific permit, or no work permit for the activity involved.
- Open work permit or work-permit-exempt situation: first confirm that the person actually fits that separate authority to work. Hiring an open work-permit holder is not the same process as supporting an employer-specific IMP work permit.
- International agreement: identify the exact agreement and category, then verify that the nationality or status, occupation or business-person category, employer and proposed work fit that provision.
- Intra-company transfer: use the ICT work permit guide to assess the employee role, qualifying corporate relationship and other route-specific requirements.
- Business owner or entrepreneur: a person considering a significant-benefit strategy can review the C11 work permit guide and MAK’s Business Immigration service. Business ownership by itself does not establish eligibility for an LMIA-exempt work permit.
- Another employer-specific IMP exemption: routes such as Francophone Mobility and other exemption provisions have their own requirements. The exemption code must follow from the facts and the applicable program instructions; it should not be selected simply because the employer wants to avoid an LMIA.
How to apply for an employer-specific LMIA-exempt work permit
- Identify the exact exemption. Confirm the legal or program basis for the LMIA exemption and the route-specific worker, employer and job requirements before filing.
- Complete the employer step where required. In most employer-specific IMP cases, the employer submits the offer of employment through the Employer Portal and pays the current employer compliance fee unless an exemption from that requirement applies.
- Use the offer number. After the employer submits the offer, the employer gives the worker the 7-digit offer of employment number for the work-permit application.
- File the worker’s application. The worker submits the work-permit application with the route-specific evidence and the other documents required for eligibility and admissibility.
- IRCC assesses the application. Being LMIA-exempt does not guarantee issuance of a work permit. The officer still assesses whether the applicant and proposed work meet the applicable requirements.
Open work-permit cases and work-permit-exempt activities follow their own rules and do not use this employer-specific sequence in the same way. Business owners, entrepreneurs and intra-company transferees who want a file-specific review can book a 60-minute business immigration consultation with Usman Khalil, RCIC and CPA.
For the broader permit map, see Work Permits in Canada. Processing estimates are covered separately in our work permit processing time guide.
Need an RCIC review of whether an LMIA-exempt route fits your employer, job and circumstances? Book a consultation.
