CanadaWork permitsLast checked October 30, 2026

LMIA-exempt employer-specific work permit (International Mobility Program), incl. intra-company transferees and free trade professionals

Official name: International Mobility Program (IMP) employer-specific work permit

Some jobs are exempt from the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) because of trade agreements, Canada's broader interests or reciprocal arrangements. For these, the employer submits an offer of employment in IRCC's Employer Portal and pays an employer compliance fee, and the worker applies for a work permit tied to that employer. Common categories are intra-company transferees (executives, managers and specialised knowledge workers moving within a multinational), professionals under free trade agreements such as CUSMA, French-speaking workers outside Quebec (Francophone Mobility), Global Skills Strategy roles and IEC Young Professionals. If a job needs an LMIA, the employer cannot hire through the IMP.

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3 entry rules for Canada based on recent travel

These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.

Entry refused after a stay in DR Congo in the last 21 days
If you're not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and you've been in DR Congo in the last 21 days, you can't enter Canada, board a flight to Canada or connect through a Canadian airport, unless you fall under an exemption.
In force until November 27, 2026
Ebola disease: Border measures for travellers entering Canada (PHAC, page date 2026-10-08) New Temporary Border Measures in Response to the Ebola Disease Outbreak (PHAC, 19 Jul 2026) Government of Canada extends temporary border measures in response to Ebola disease outbreak (PHAC, Aug 2026) Checked October 19, 2026
Quarantine after a stay in DR Congo, Uganda, South Sudan in the last 21 days
If you're allowed into Canada after being in DR Congo, Uganda or South Sudan in the last 21 days, you'll get a health check on arrival and must quarantine for 21 days, report to public health within 48 hours and check your temperature every day.
In force until November 27, 2026
Ebola disease: Border measures for travellers entering Canada (PHAC) Government of Canada introduces temporary border measures in response to the Ebola disease outbreak (PHAC, 26 May 2026) Checked October 19, 2026
Visa applications paused after a stay in DR Congo, Uganda, South Sudan
If the last country you lived in, as stated on your application, is DR Congo, Uganda or South Sudan, Canada has suspended visitor visas, eTAs and permanent resident visas and paused new decisions. This depends on where you live, not your nationality.
In force until November 27, 2026
Ebola disease: Temporary measures (IRCC, page date 2026-09-28) Government of Canada introduces temporary border measures (PHAC, 26 May 2026) Checked October 19, 2026

Life in Canada

Finance

Currency

Canadian Dollar

CAD

Canadian Dollar

Cost of living

Price level · US = 100

World Bank price levels, 2025

Tax

14–33%

Income tax (national)

Federal top rate applies above CAD 258,482 (2026); provinces/territories add their own income tax (roughly 4% to 21% at the top), giving combined top rates of about 44% to 54%.

Official rates, 2026 · headline only

Living

Happiness

6.7

#24 of 145 countries

World Happiness Report 2025

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Who it’s for

Workers whose job and situation fit a specific LMIA exemption, with an employer in Canada that submits an offer of employment through the Employer Portal.

Eligibility

A job covered by an LMIA exemption
- The job must fit an exemption category.
- IRCC's employer page lists examples: highly skilled workers and researchers under the Global Skills Strategy (if the job is LMIA-exempt), French-speaking workers outside Quebec, IEC Young Professionals and International Co-op applicants, and workers under a free trade agreement.
- If the job needs an LMIA, the employer must use the Temporary Foreign Worker Program instead.
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Employer offer of employment and compliance feeEmployer
Your employer pays a compliance fee and submits an offer of employment before you apply, then gives you the offer number.
Employer requirements
Employer compliance feepaid by employer, in most cases
$230
Offer of employment number
7-digit
- Offer is submitted through the Employer Portal
- If fee is unpaid or offer not submitted before you apply, permit is refused
Official wording
In most cases the employer pays the $230 employer compliance fee and submits an offer of employment through the Employer Portal, then gives the worker the 7-digit offer of employment number. If the fee is not paid or the offer is not submitted before the worker applies, the work permit is refused.
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Intra-company transferees: qualifying relationshipIntra-company transferees
The Canadian and foreign enterprises must be related as parent, branch, subsidiary or affiliate, shown by ownership and control. Contracts, licences, franchises and supplier-client ties do not qualify.
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SourceIRCC: Hire through the International Mobility Programcanada.caChecked Oct 30, 2026

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