Canada’s work permits are expected to reach a record 608,420 in 2022. As a comparison, only 414,000 work permits were issued in 2021, which represents an increase of about 200,000.
The two main avenues for obtaining work permits in Canada are the IMP – (International Mobility Program) and the TFWP – (Temporary Foreign Worker Program).
The IMP covered 77% of the work permits granted in 2022. The total number of work permits issued under the IMP in 2022 was 472,070. Compared to those, 136,350 permits were given to participants in the TFWP.
The TFWP and the IMP have both issued more permits each year. The number of work permits issued through the IMP. In 2019 were only 303,545 after the COVID-19 epidemic caused an initial decline in 2020. The IMP again authorized 310,660 licenses to be granted in 2021. According to the IMP, effective work permits have increased by more than 55% since 2019.
The TFWP issued a total of 98,030 work permits in 2019. However, due to a similar decrease as seen in IMP work permits. This figure increased to 103,340 effective permits in 2021. TFWP work permits have therefore increased by 39% since 2019 as a result.
Canada’s work permits IMP and TFWP – An overview
The Temporary Foreign Workers Program (TFWP) and the Immigration Mobility Program (IMP) both issue temporary foreign worker work permits. Yet it’s crucial to understand that the two options are radically unlike.
Through the TFWP, Canadian firms are able to offer work permits to TFWs in order to address real labor shortages in the country. IMP and TFWP differ primarily in the fact that a Labor Market Impact Assessment is required to determine how hiring a foreign national will impact the Canadian labor market. Work permits are granted under the TFWP upon receipt of LMIAs. TFWP work permits are typically “employer-specific/LMIA-based” rather than open work permits provided under the IMP.
Contrary to that, the IMP was designed to further Canadian economic, social, and cultural policy objectives. IMP work permits are frequently granted based on reciprocity (between the applicant’s country of origin and Canada) or significant cultural or financial advantages of employing a TFW. As a result, there are a variety of initiatives included in the IMP, such as the Global Talent Stream, the International Experience Canada program, and the Substantial Benefit program (among others).
IMP work permits are not issued using the LMIA system, as previously stated; instead, open work permits are typically issued since the IMP encompasses a wider range of areas than TFWP. Open work permits allow holders to work for most employers, as opposed to employer-specific work permits issued under the TFWP, which allow holders to work for most companies in most industries.
Which IMP streams saw the greatest number of permits take effect?
IMP permits were issued most frequently in 2022 in the following streams:
Out of all the effective permits issued, 36% were given to medical residents, fellows, and post-graduate employment applicants. Charitable or religious workers received 29% of the permits, while the remaining 8% went to other IMP participants. A total of 5% of the permits went to skilled workers’ spouses, while 4% went to Ph.D. fellows and award winners after their post-doctoral training. The remaining 2% of permits were divided between intra-company transfers and participants of the International Experience Canada (IEC) program.
In addition to participating in one of the designated streams of the IMP, other participants are entitled to an IMP work permit.
This is an important time to note several significant policy changes. With the IRCC’s announcement, medical practitioners with foreign training have been given higher standards as they apply to immigration. This may explain the prevalence of health care and social assistance employees among those applying for IMP permits, which reflects the Canadian government’s concern about a severe shortage.
Which TFWP streams had the greatest number of permits take effect?
According to the TFWP, the following number of work permits will be issued in 2022.
Out of all the effective permits issued, 51% were given to agriculture workers. Other temporary foreign workers with a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) received 46% of the permits, while live-in caregivers received 2%. Caregivers received the remaining 0.2% of permits.
The category “Other temporary foreign workers with an LMIA” includes occupations for which a temporary foreign worker has been granted a work permit based on an LMIA.
Moreover, several legislative reforms have been implemented to relieve Canada’s labor shortage, including halving the required work experience for health care and social support professionals.
What provinces had the most people with work permits in 2022?
As a whole, Canada’s 13 provinces and territories produced more effective work permits than any other province or territory in 2022:
- Ontario received 221,280 permits.
- British Columbia received 102,845 permits.
- Quebec received 89,765 permits.
- Alberta received 43,550 permits.
- Manitoba received 19,765 permits.
- Nova Scotia received 12,645 permits.
- Saskatchewan received 10,550 permits.
- New Brunswick received 9,640 permits.
- Newfoundland and Labrador received 4,210 permits.
- Prince Edward Island received 3,840 permits.
- Northwest Territories received 260 permits.
- Nunavut received 60 permits.
