The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) is a program of the Government of Canada that allows employers in Canada to hire foreign nationals. It is a temporary Canada work visa that was created to provide opportunities for foreign workers who want to get employment in Canada for a short period of time. Workers brought in under the program are referred to as Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs) and are allowed to work in positions that are not filled by Canadians. The aim was to address skill shortages and promote economic growth.
During this time, the foreign worker is allowed to only work for one employer and they get a work permit and visa. They can live in the place in Canada where their job is and must abide by Canadian laws. When the work permit and visa are close to expiration, the worker can apply for an extension of the work permit or they must leave Canada and return to their home country.
What are the requirements for the temporary foreign worker?
The Canadian Government wants to protect the jobs of their citizens and permanent residents therefore it requires proof that the foreign worker is absolutely necessary to a Canadian company. Because of this, the most important requirements to become a temporary foreign worker is to have a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). It certifies that the employer has tried to find an employee in Canada who is a citizen or permanent resident, but there was no one who was willing, available, or qualified to work that job. Because no person within Canada was found for that job, the employer needs a foreign worker.
You don’t need to apply for the LMIA if you are eligible for the International Mobility Program (IMP). If you need an LMIA, your employer must send an application to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). The processing time of an LMIA is ranging from 13 to 40 business days, depending on what stream you are applying for.
How to apply for the TFW program?
All Canadian work visas require the applicant to first have a job offer from a Canadian company before applying for a work permit. Therefore, if you have decided that you want to work there, you must start your search as soon as possible. You can look for a job online, through different job portals or the Canadian government’s Job Bank. At the end of this step, you must have a valid job offer letter sent to you from a Canadian employer.
Your employer must apply to get the LMIA through the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), where they will assess the effect of hiring a foreign worker to the Canadian labor market. If your employer is approved for the LMIA, then you can move to the next step, but if the LMIA is denied, then the employer should either try again or you must find another job.
After you get the LMIA, you can then properly apply for the work visa and permit. You must apply to the Canadian Consulate, either online through their website, or in person to the Consulate office in your country.
