Canadian government officers must consider the impacts on Canadian workers when deciding whether to admit foreign workers into the country.

As a result, a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is generally required. The LMIA requirement, however, can be waived under a ‘significant benefit’ exemption. In such cases, the positive effects of the issuance of a work permit, would outweigh the potential negative consequences that could result from the standard procedure not being followed.

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These are cases for which an LMIA is usually required but practical considerations prevent this from being a possibility if Canada is to benefit, usually due to the lengthy processing times associated with most LMIAs. In such cases, aside from the lack of LMIA, the other factors that are typically considered when assessing a work permit application would mitigate in favour of the work permit being granted. Such factors include the potential impact on investment in Canada and the country’s economy, the disruption of the Canadian labor market, as well as the needs of the Canadian consumer.

Criteria for a significant benefit work permit

Foreign nationals looking to get a significant work permit in Canada must demonstrate to the Canadian government the work they will do will have a significant economic, social, or cultural benefit to Canada. The applicant will need to show they have a record of distinction in their field.

According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the criteria that the Canadian government considers when deciding whether to issue a work permit includes:

• official academic documentation showing that the foreign worker has obtained educational credentials related to their professional area of expertise;
• documented evidence from current or past employers that shows the foreign worker has significant full time experience in the job (significant is defined as ten or more years of work experience);
• has been the recipient of international or national awards or patents;
• membership in organizations that require excellence of its members;
• have held a position where they have judged the work of others;
• proof that their work, achievements, and contributions to their field has been recognized by peers, the government, or professional associations;
• proof of scientific or scholarly contributions to their field;
• publications by the foreign national in academic or industry publications;
• foreign worker served in a leadership role in an organization with a distinguished reputation;
• foreign workers who are foreign workers destined outside of Quebec in a job with a National Occupation Classification 0, A and B, recruited through Destination Canada or other job fairs that were coordinated with the federal government and francophone minority communities.

Who Can Get a Significant Benefit Work Permit?

The following are among those eligible to get a significant benefit work permit:

Intra-Company Transferees

A significant benefit work permit may be available to a foreign national employed by a multi-national company that is seeking entry to Canada to work for a parent, subsidiary, or branch of that company. The position they are being transferred to in Canada must be in an executive, senior managerial, or specialized knowledge role.

Television and Film Production Workers

Workers in the TV and film industry whose role is essential to the production may be eligible to obtain a significant benefit work permit. According to IRCC, admitting such workers helps to attract investment to Canada and creates significant economic benefits for Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

Entrepreneurs and Self-Employed Workers

Those looking to start a business in Canada or be self-employed may be able to get a significant benefit work permit. They need to show the Canadian government their activities in Canada will result in an economic, social, or cultural benefit.

Emergency Repair Personnel 

These are workers who are needed in Canada to conduct emergency repairs to industrial or commercial equipment, even under warranty, to prevent the disruption of employment in Canada.

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