Curious about hiring foreign workers in Canada? Here's a brief guide for Canadian employers.

As the Canadian job market continues to evolve, many employers are turning to foreign workers to fill labour shortages. Hiring foreign workers is a complex process that requires careful planning and attention to detail, so it’s important to understand the process before getting started. Here are the basic steps to hiring foreign workers as a Canadian employer:



Determine your labour needs


The first step to hiring foreign workers is to determine your labour needs. This involves identifying what positions need to be filled, which skills are required, and whether the positions are permanent or temporary. You should also consider whether the workers will be full-time or part-time.


Once you know which positions you need to fill, you’ll also need to establish how many foreign workers you are eligible to hire. Employers may be subject to a cap on the number of temporary foreign workers they can hire, depending on the industry and positions.


Apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)


Most employers will need to obtain an LMIA before they can hire foreign workers. This involves demonstrating that there are no Canadians or permanent residents available to fill the positions, and that hiring foreign workers will not have a negative impact on the Canadian labour market.


In most cases, employers will need to show that they have advertised the job to Canadians for at least four weeks, with no suitable applicants.


Successfully applying for an LMIA application can be one of the most challenging aspects of the process. Employers need to ensure that they have selected the right stream for the position they’re hiring for, and comply with requirements for wages and benefits. Accuracy is key, as untruthful applications can result in rejections and being barred from the program for two years.


To save time and ensure accuracy, many employers choose to hire a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant or lawyer to complete their application.


Determine workers’ eligibility


The next step is to determine whether the foreign workers you want to hire are eligible to work in Canada. This includes ensuring that they meet the requirements of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) or other programs that allow foreign workers to work in Canada.


Formally offer the job to the foreign worker


Once you have obtained an LMIA, you can offer the job to the foreign worker. Make sure to provide them with a written job offer that outlines the terms and conditions of employment, including wages, hours of work, and any other benefits that they will be entitled to.


Ensure that the worker has their work permit and necessary documents


The foreign worker will need a work permit to work in Canada. You can either apply for a work permit on their behalf or provide them with the necessary documents to apply themselves. Alternatively, either the worker or employer can pay a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant or lawyer to complete the work permit application.


Regardless of who completes the application, the employer should communicate with the worker to be sure that the application is completed on time.


Set out clear expectations for workers


Throughout the hiring process, communication is key! Foreign workers take on a significant change when they move to another country, which can feel risky. It’s important to develop trust by communicating with workers at each stage of the process. By checking in regularly, you can also catch and prevent issues that could cause delays in the application process.


Getting Started


Employers who hire temporary foreign workers see major increases in their ability to run at full capacity and meet customer demand. If you want to avoid the complexities of the application process and save time, we’re here to help! Hire the staff you need with Immigrate.


Please note: Immigration regulations are subject to change. For up-to-date information, please visit the Government of Canada's website or speak with a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant.


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End-of-Year Immigration & Work Permit Updates

By Dirk Propp • November 17, 2025
As provinces work to use up their remaining 2025 nominations and travel-based permit applications gain popularity, it’s never been more important to plan ahead, both for employers and workers.  Provincial Nominations Have Returned Provinces across Canada have received some of their unused nominations back, meaning more opportunities for both employers and applicants. We encourage you to check each province’s immigration website for updates as they begin issuing these newly available spots. From experience, government programs operate on a “use it or lose it” basis. Provinces that don’t use their full nomination allotment may receive fewer in future years. With the end of the year approaching and a potential reset of nomination quotas, most provinces will be working to allocate every remaining nomination before 2026. In Saskatchewan, where the program previously closed after reaching capacity, the province is now creating a list of employers and contacting them to confirm whether positions are still needed. This allows them to issue Job Approval Letters (JALs) and proceed with nominations. If you’re an employer in Saskatchewan who hasn’t yet joined the queue, now is the time to get your name on that list. Holiday Work Permit Applications to Work in Canada Holiday Port of Entry Applications are a new and growing trend, and I believe we’ll see a steady increase in these for those who qualify. Traditionally, people would go to the nearest land border to obtain a new work permit based on their LMIA, nomination, PR in process or an applicable exemption. However, beginning in 2025, land borders will no longer be able to issue work permits, which makes Holiday Port of Entry applications a new and viable option. It’s important to note that people previously had the opportunity to apply for work permits from within Canada, so this wasn’t a problem. That option has also been removed, further reinforcing the relevance of Holiday Port of Entry applications for work permits. If you're from a country not listed below, you’ll need to apply for a new work permit and cannot use a Port of Entry to obtain a decision without submitting an application. In that case, your options are to apply from your country of citizenship or from a country where you are legally permitted to be and currently present. This introduces the concept of the Holiday Application, many destinations now have quick work permit processing times. By applying online after you land, you can enjoy a short warm (or cold) holiday while waiting for a decision on your new work permit. Individuals from the countries listed below are able to apply for a work permit upon entry, based on holding an eTA. There are two main groups to consider: Visa-exempt countries that can always apply upon entry, and2. Conditionally visa-exempt countries, where eligibility depends on the applicant having held a Canadian visa within the past 10 years or currently holding a valid U.S. non-immigrant visa. In my opinion, it would be wise to stay at least a day or two as part of your holiday so that it’s not blatantly obvious that you are “Holiday Flag Poling.” Take the opportunity to genuinely enjoy a short holiday before obtaining your work permit to return to Canada. For individuals who are not from a visa-exempt country, check which countries you are legally permitted to travel to and how long you can stay there. Then, review how long it takes to obtain a work permit from that location if you’d prefer not to return to your home country to apply. For employers: If you have a worker whose status has expired or who has gone out of status, and that worker entered under a Dual Intent LMIA, you are not required to pay for the flight home or to another country they choose (as long as both parties agree). For Low-Wage LMIA applications, however, it’s important that employers do pay for the return flight, so speak with your employee or applicant in advance to confirm costs and ensure this is arranged. Lastly, applying for a work permit while traveling does not guarantee approval. A strong and professionally prepared application is always recommended. Ultimately, the immigration officer has the discretion to make the final decision. So feel free to reach out to the team at Fill a Role before hand to get assistance and a second-opinion.