Comparing work visas through job offers, Young Professional and LMIA Work Permit
23 Nov 2024
There are two main programs that allow foreigners to apply for a work visa based on a job offer from a Canadian employer. One is Young Professionals and the other is Work Permit through LMIA. While both programs have in common that you must receive a job offer from a Canadian employer, they differ in many ways, including the purpose of the applicant, the visa process, and the documentation required. In this column, we'll cover the similarities and differences between the two programs.
Young Professional is part of the International Experience Canada (IEC) program, which provides young professionals between the ages of 18 and 35 with the opportunity to gain international experience while developing their careers in Canada. To apply for the program, you must be working in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation and demonstrate that the job is directly related to your field of study. In addition, TEER 4 occupations for some research purposes are eligible. However, TEER 5 occupations are not eligible. The IEC program is designed to help skilled young people develop their careers in Canada, and one of its key features is that it does not require a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). As a result, the application process is relatively simple and the visa is granted in about 2-3 weeks.
The LMIA work permit requires Canadian employers to obtain a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Labour Canada to seek permission to hire a foreign national. The LMIA must demonstrate that the employer cannot find a Canadian citizen or permanent resident qualified for the job and is hiring a foreign national to fill the position. To do this, the employer must advertise the job on major recruitment platforms for at least four weeks and go through a rigorous hiring process to find qualified applicants. The foreign worker must also be paid at least the median wage in each province or territory, and working conditions must meet Canadian standards. The LMIA is a mandatory approval process, which is time-consuming and expensive, with a complex application process and an average processing time of 7-9 months. However, the LMIA Work Permit has the advantage of being more accessible to a wider range of applicants, as it can be applied for in any occupation, from TEER 0 to TEER 5, and has no age limit.
In addition, both programs have the potential to allow families to join. Young Professionals are not initially allowed to bring family members due to the nature of the IEC program. However, once the primary applicant proves that they are working full-time in Canada in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation, their spouse can apply for an open work permit. This requires supporting documentation, such as an employment contract and pay stubs, and can only be done after the primary applicant has started work. In comparison, LMIA work permits allow the spouse to apply for an open work permit at the same time the primary applicant is issued a work permit. As long as the primary applicant meets the conditions for TEER 0, 1, 2, and 3 occupations, the spouse can begin working under an open work permit immediately.
While the LMIA work permit may be a more favorable option for families, it has the disadvantage of a higher employer burden and a more complicated and time-consuming process. LMIAs, on the other hand, offer 50 to 200 points toward future green card applications, making them a more favorable option for permanent residency. Young Professionals is a simpler and less costly program, but it is also a relative disadvantage in that it does not award points compared to LMIA work permits.
In conclusion, both programs can be utilized in different ways depending on the applicant's goals and circumstances, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Young Professional is best suited for those who are young and looking to build their professional careers, while LMIA Work Permit is an advantageous pathway for those of any age who want to work in a variety of professions and increase their chances of obtaining permanent residency in the long term. We wish you success in building your career in Canada and ultimately achieving your goal of permanent residency.
There are two main programs that allow foreigners to apply for a work visa based on a job offer from a Canadian employer. One is Young Professionals and the other is Work Permit through LMIA. While both programs have in common that you must receive a job offer from a Canadian employer, they differ in many ways, including the purpose of the applicant, the visa process, and the documentation required. In this column, we'll cover the similarities and differences between the two programs.
Young Professional is part of the International Experience Canada (IEC) program, which provides young professionals between the ages of 18 and 35 with the opportunity to gain international experience while developing their careers in Canada. To apply for the program, you must be working in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation and demonstrate that the job is directly related to your field of study. In addition, TEER 4 occupations for some research purposes are eligible. However, TEER 5 occupations are not eligible. The IEC program is designed to help skilled young people develop their careers in Canada, and one of its key features is that it does not require a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). As a result, the application process is relatively simple and the visa is granted in about 2-3 weeks.
The LMIA work permit requires Canadian employers to obtain a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Labour Canada to seek permission to hire a foreign national. The LMIA must demonstrate that the employer cannot find a Canadian citizen or permanent resident qualified for the job and is hiring a foreign national to fill the position. To do this, the employer must advertise the job on major recruitment platforms for at least four weeks and go through a rigorous hiring process to find qualified applicants. The foreign worker must also be paid at least the median wage in each province or territory, and working conditions must meet Canadian standards. The LMIA is a mandatory approval process, which is time-consuming and expensive, with a complex application process and an average processing time of 7-9 months. However, the LMIA Work Permit has the advantage of being more accessible to a wider range of applicants, as it can be applied for in any occupation, from TEER 0 to TEER 5, and has no age limit.
In addition, both programs have the potential to allow families to join. Young Professionals are not initially allowed to bring family members due to the nature of the IEC program. However, once the primary applicant proves that they are working full-time in Canada in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation, their spouse can apply for an open work permit. This requires supporting documentation, such as an employment contract and pay stubs, and can only be done after the primary applicant has started work. In comparison, LMIA work permits allow the spouse to apply for an open work permit at the same time the primary applicant is issued a work permit. As long as the primary applicant meets the conditions for TEER 0, 1, 2, and 3 occupations, the spouse can begin working under an open work permit immediately.
While the LMIA work permit may be a more favorable option for families, it has the disadvantage of a higher employer burden and a more complicated and time-consuming process. LMIAs, on the other hand, offer 50 to 200 points toward future green card applications, making them a more favorable option for permanent residency. Young Professionals is a simpler and less costly program, but it is also a relative disadvantage in that it does not award points compared to LMIA work permits.
In conclusion, both programs can be utilized in different ways depending on the applicant's goals and circumstances, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Young Professional is best suited for those who are young and looking to build their professional careers, while LMIA Work Permit is an advantageous pathway for those of any age who want to work in a variety of professions and increase their chances of obtaining permanent residency in the long term. We wish you success in building your career in Canada and ultimately achieving your goal of permanent residency.