Introduction to Hiring Foreign Nationals in Canada
When a Canadian employer wants to hire a foreign national, they first need to engage the government of Canada. This lets the government decide if the position should be filled by a foreign national or a Canadian. One way the government gets involved is through what’s called an offer of employment.
LMIA-Exempt Options
In some cases, an LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) isn’t needed. These cases are known as LMIA-exempt options. If an LMIA-exempt option is available, the employer usually submits an offer of employment.
The Process of Submitting an Offer of Employment
The offer of employment is submitted online to the government. The employer uses their account in the government’s portal to submit information about the specific foreign national they want to hire.
The offer must include details like the duties the foreign national will perform in Canada. It also needs to list the salary, which must meet the median prevailing wage. This wage is the minimum amount that must be paid for the job the foreign national will do.
The geographical location where the foreign national will work also affects the salary. All this information must be included in the offer, and in some cases, the employee’s education qualifications also need to be listed.
What Happens After Submission?
Once the offer is submitted, the government system automatically creates what’s called an A number. There’s a $230 fee for submitting the offer of employment. This fee must be paid before the A number is issued.
After the A number is generated, it must be included in the work permit application form that the foreign national will submit.
The Work Permit Process
The work permit application is a separate process from the offer of employment. After receiving the A number, the employer gives it to the foreign national so they can include it in their work permit application.
When the foreign national submits their work permit application along with the A number, the immigration officer reviewing the file will check all the details provided by the employer. The officer will also assess if the foreign national’s qualifications and experience match the employer’s needs. Based on the information received, the Canadian immigration officer will decide whether to approve the work permit application.
Conclusion
The offer of employment is essential for hiring a foreign national in Canada, especially when LMIA-exempt options are involved. It ensures that all the important details about the job and the foreign national are submitted to the government for approval.
