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When your candidate qualifies under CUSMA, CETA, Intra-Company Transfer, or another International Mobility Program stream, you skip the $1,000 LMIA fee and months of advertising. VMC's licensed RCICs confirm eligibility, prepare employer portal submissions, and ensure full IMP compliance so your new hire can start sooner.
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Not sure which route to use?
VMC analyzes your hire — CUSMA, CETA, ICT, or LMIA — and recommends the fastest compliant path.
Book Free Consultation →LMIA-exempt routes under the International Mobility Program (IMP) eliminate the ESDC application step. When your hire qualifies, you can save months of processing time and thousands of dollars in fees and advertising costs.
A standard LMIA costs $1,000 per position to ESDC. LMIA-exempt routes replace this with a $230 employer compliance fee — saving you $770 per hire.
Standard LMIAs take 8–20 weeks. LMIA-exempt permits skip the ESDC step entirely. CUSMA TN applications for US nationals can be approved at the border the same day your candidate arrives.
Standard LMIA requires 4+ weeks of Job Bank advertising and proof that no Canadians were available. LMIA-exempt routes have no such recruitment burden.
GTS LMIA requires a Labour Market Benefits Plan committing to training and hiring Canadians. Most LMIA-exempt streams have no such commitment (exception: GTS, which is technically an LMIA).
US and Mexican citizens in 60+ eligible professions
Executives, managers, specialized knowledge workers in your corporate group
Tech and innovation roles on ESDC in-demand list, or designated partner referral
EU nationals — ICT, contract service suppliers, investors under CETA
Nationals of Japan, Australia, Chile, Vietnam and other CPTPP members
Using an LMIA-exempt stream does not mean the employer has no obligations. The International Mobility Program has its own compliance framework — starting with the IRCC Employer Portal and extending to record-keeping and potential inspections.
Register your business and verify your identity. First-time users require a GCKey or Sign-In Partner account linked to your business.
Enter job title, NOC code, duties, wage, location, start date, and duration. Select the correct LMIA exemption code (e.g. T11 for CUSMA, C12 for ICT).
The employer compliance fee is $230 per worker per submission. This fee is non-refundable and is paid per Offer of Employment, not per renewal.
After submitting, you receive an Offer of Employment number (A-number). Give this to the worker — they must include it in their work permit application.
The worker applies using the A-number. IRCC reviews both the portal submission and the worker's application. Processing: 2–8 weeks depending on stream.
IRCC has authority to inspect employers who use the International Mobility Program. Non-compliance consequences are serious:
The Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) is the fastest and most cost-effective way to bring US and Mexican professionals to Canada. No LMIA, no advertising, no cap.
Verify the worker's occupation appears on the CUSMA TN professional list. Over 60 professions qualify. Each has specific educational/credential requirements.
Write a detailed employer support letter on company letterhead describing: the profession, job duties, qualifications required, duration of employment, and confirmation the worker will be employed by a Canadian entity and paid in Canada.
Submit the Offer of Employment with the T11 exemption code, pay the $230 compliance fee, and provide the A-number to the worker before they travel to the border or apply to IRCC.
US nationals: Apply at a Canadian port of entry (land border, airport) or US pre-clearance. Decision is usually same day. Mexican nationals: Apply to IRCC online (Mexican citizens need a TRV first).
Full list of 60+ professions — VMC verifies if your position qualifies
VMC drafts TN support letters that align with IRCC and CBSA expectations.
VMC analyzes your hire — CUSMA, CETA, ICT, or GTS — and recommends the fastest compliant path. Book a free employer consultation to get a clear answer before spending time and money on the wrong route.
The Global Talent Stream (GTS) is a fast-track LMIA program — not technically LMIA-exempt — but with a 2-week processing target for both the LMIA and the resulting work permit. Designed for Canadian tech companies and startups that need to scale quickly.
Your company must be referred by a designated GTS partner organization — such as Invest in Canada, provincial economic development agencies, or industry bodies like MaRS or CATA. The partner issues a referral letter you include in your LMIA application.
No referral needed. The role must exactly match an occupation on the ESDC Global Talent Stream occupations list. Key eligible roles include:
ESDC list is updated periodically — VMC verifies your current NOC eligibility
Contact GTS designated partner (Cat A) or confirm position on in-demand list (Cat B)
Employer submits complete GTS LMIA application with Labour Market Benefits Plan to ESDC
ESDC reviews application — 2 business day processing target when application is complete
Positive LMIA issued — worker submits work permit application to IRCC
IRCC work permit issued — 2 business day processing target. Worker can be in Canada and working within 2–3 weeks
Every GTS application requires an LMBP — a commitment to benefit the Canadian labour market. ESDC assesses the quality of the LMBP as part of the application.
Annual LMBP compliance reporting to ESDC is required. VMC helps draft and track your plan.
Can't wait 4–6 months for a standard LMIA. GTS enables rapid deployment of senior developers, architects, and data scientists.
Investors and designated GTS partners (e.g. from venture ecosystem) can provide the referral letter for Category A, unlocking even faster access.
Any company hiring in-demand tech occupations where the right candidate is abroad and a 2-week timeline is critical to the business.
The Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) stream under IRPR R205(a) allows multinational companies to transfer executives, senior managers, and specialized knowledge workers to a Canadian entity — no LMIA, no advertising.
Directs the management of the organization or a major component. Includes CEO, CFO, President, VP-level. Makes high-level decisions with minimal direct supervision.
Up to 3 years initial; 7 years totalManages the entire organization or a significant function. Supervises other managers or professionals. Has authority over hiring, budgets, and key decisions.
Up to 3 years initial; 7 years totalAdvanced, proprietary knowledge of employer's products, services, or procedures. Knowledge must not be readily available in the Canadian labour market and must be essential to the Canadian entity.
Up to 1 year initial; 5 years totalICT workers under R205(a) can potentially qualify for arranged employment CRS points (50 pts) in Express Entry — making ICT one of the few LMIA-exempt streams where the job offer contributes to CRS score. VMC advises on timing and eligibility.
Using the IMP creates ongoing obligations. IRCC expects employers to maintain conditions as described in the Offer of Employment and keep thorough records — both during and after the worker's employment.
Wages, job title, duties, and location must match the Offer of Employment submitted. If conditions change materially, a new portal submission and compliance fee may be required.
Maintain payroll records, employment contracts, records of duties performed, and proof of compliance for 6 years from the work permit issue date. Inspectors can request these at any time.
It is illegal to recover work permit or immigration fees from workers. Employers cannot charge workers the $230 compliance fee or any immigration consulting fees related to their work permit.
Provide a workplace that is reasonably accessible — not isolated from normal contact and support. Workers must be able to access information about their rights and reach regulatory bodies.
IRCC inspections may be announced or unannounced. Employers must cooperate with inspectors, provide requested documentation within required timelines, and allow site access when required.
VMC helps employers structure offers correctly, maintain records, and respond to IRCC compliance reviews. We advise on material changes requiring new submissions.
Employer Compliance ServicesStill have questions? Our licensed RCICs answer within 24 hours.
Book Free ConsultationReady to build your Canada plan? Speak with our licensed specialists — Sanjay Singh Kumar, Amanpreet Kaur, or Kanwar Jagraj Singh.