The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) was recently updated by the Canadian government. With these changes, Canada hopes to better handle the number of temporary residents.
Details of Canada New Employment System for Foreigners
Key Updates
- LMIA Validity: A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) will only be good for 6 months from May 2024 onwards. It was raised to 18 months during COVID-19, but it was recently lowered to 12 months.
- Lower Wage Cap: From May 2024 on, few low-wage foreign workers will be allowed to work in some fields. It goes back to 20% after going up by 30% for a short time in 2022.
Who is Exempt?
- Agriculture & Seasonal Work: The cap exemption for agriculture and seasonal businesses remains.
- Construction & Healthcare: Up to 30% of low-wage foreign workers can still work in construction and health care.
Impact on Employers
- The goal of these changes is to find a middle ground between the needs of Canadian workers and the goals of immigration.
- When trying to hire and recruit foreign workers, employers should keep these changes in mind.
How to Work in Canada as a Foreigner
There are several ways for foreigners to get a work permit in Canada, including:
- Through an Employer: A lot of companies will hire foreign workers who can bring needed skills or who want to live in the country permanently.
- Temporary Foreign Worker Programs: These programs allow temporary work in specific sectors.
- International Mobility Programs: These programs facilitate work exchanges and internships.
- Economic Immigration Programs: These programs give work permits that can lead to legal residence.
Getting a Work Permit
- It can be hard to get a work permit in Canada.
- For most jobs, foreigners need a work permit, a relief from the work permit requirement, or permanent residency status.
- Each choice has its own set of standards for who can apply and how.
Read Also: LMIA Approved Jobs in Canada 2024 – Canadian Visa
Employer LMIA & Job Offer
Employers may need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to help them apply for a work permit.
Employers may also need to make a job offer in order for someone to get permanent residency.
Conclusion
The Canadian government just made some changes to the TFWP to make it easier to handle temporary residents and meet the needs of the job market. Employers and workers from other countries need to know about these changes so they can follow the rules and take advantage of the new possibilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)?
The TFWP is a Canadian government program that allows employers to hire foreign workers to fill temporary labor and skill shortages.
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What are the recent changes to the TFWP?
Some important changes are that the LMIA is now only valid for 6 months, the wage cap for low-wage foreign workers in some fields has been lowered, and exemptions for agriculture, seasonal work, building, and healthcare have not changed.
