IMP – International Mobility Program work visa

 

The International Mobility Program allows Canadian employers to hire temporary foreign workers without the need for an LMIA. Therefore, the Canadian government issues work visas to foreign job seekers who prove that they have economic, cultural or social benefits for Canada and Canadians, or are under international trade agreements with Canada. This program has several branches, each of which requires its own conditions and documents to obtain a work visa, but they all have one thing in common: no need for an LMIA permit.

The positive point of this program is the possibility of converting a work visa to a permanent residence in Canada under the Express Entry program or provincial programs.

Here are some of the programs under IMP:

Program name	Who can apply?
PGWP	Post-graduate graduates who studied at approved educational institutions (DLI)
IEC – International Experience Canada	For young people between 18 and 35 years old who want to come to Canada for work experience and have the nationality of the countries contracted with Canada.
International Free Trade Agreements	Agreements between countries and Canada such as CUSMA
ICT – Intra Company Transfer	For active companies that intend to establish a branch in Canada
BOWP – Bridge Open Work Permit	For people who are waiting for the review and result of their permanent residence file in Canada and who want to work during this time
Items of social or cultural interest in Canada	For those who can significantly contribute to Canada through programs such as Mobilité Francophone. It depends on the past success of applicants, recommendations and experiences of those who are experts in that field.

 

 

There are two types of IMP work visas:

• Limited work permit (Close work permit)
  • With this type of work visa, you must work for the employer who has offered you a job with a certain number of hours, in a certain place and with a defined position and job description.

 

• Open work permit
  • With this type of work visa, you must work part-time or full-time for any employer in Canada with any position and any number of hours you wish. For example, the work visa program after education – PGWP is of the “open work permit” type and the ICT work visa is of the “close work permit” type.