Insights Header image
Insights Header image
Insights Header image

Immigration Law Alert: New Fees and Employer Obligations Under the International Mobility Program

Employment and Labour Bulletin February 2015 < 1 read

Starting February 21, 2015, new obligations will be imposed on Canadian employers hiring foreign nationals who are exempt from the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process.

Exemptions from the LMIA process include intra-company transferees and professionals under free trade agreements such as NAFTA. Under the new procedure an employer will be required to submit information about its business, complete an offer of employment form as yet unreleased and pay a $230 “employer compliance fee” online to Citizenship and Immigration Canada before the work permit application is filed.

As of that date, foreign nationals will not be able to get an employer-specific work permit if their employer has not submitted the required forms and paid the fee. The compliance fee is in addition to the current work permit processing fee of $155.

The employer compliance fee does not apply to employers hiring foreign nationals who have open work permits; however, also starting February 21, 2015, a $100 fee will be collected from open work permit applicants. This fee will be paid at the same time as the work permit processing fee and can be paid online.

We anticipate that the government will release additional information regarding the new procedure shortly. We will issue a follow-up alert as soon as more information is available.

by David Elenbaas and Stefanie Di Francesco

A Cautionary Note

The foregoing provides only an overview and does not constitute legal advice. Readers are cautioned against making any decisions based on this material alone. Rather, specific legal advice should be obtained.

© McMillan LLP 2015

Insights (5 Posts)View More

Featured Insight

Unpacking Partnership Contracts in Quebec’s New Bill 62 Public Infrastructure Legislation

Bill 62 – An Act mainly to diversify the acquisition strategies of public bodies and increase their agility in carrying out infrastructure projects (“Bill 62”) was passed on October 2024 by the Québec National Assembly.

Read More
Dec 11, 2024
Featured Insight

Ontario Employers: New Job Posting Requirements Come into Force January 1, 2026

Employers should note new requirements for publicly advertised job postings that will come into force January 1, 2026.

Read More
Dec 11, 2024
Featured Insight

Managing Climate Risk with Insurance and Contractual Provisions

Carefully crafted contractual clauses and tailor-made insurance can help effectively manage the escalating risks posed by extreme weather.

Read More
Dec 11, 2024
Featured Insight

Legal Considerations in Canada related to “Voice Cloning”

In this bulletin, we discuss some potential causes of actions that one may have in Canada if they become victim of voice cloning.

Read More
Dec 6, 2024
Featured Insight

Ontario Employers: Important Changes to the ESA and OHSA Now in Force

Amendments to the ESA and OHSA regarding doctor's notes, virtual harassment, remote workers, and electronic postings are now in force.

Read More
Dec 6, 2024