Labour market impact assessment (LMIA) exemption codes – International Mobility Program

This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.

Sections 204 to 208 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) provide the regulatory authority to issue a work permit to a worker who does not require a labour market impact assessment (LMIA) as per subparagraphs 200(1)(c)(i) to (ii.1).

There are specific situations that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) considers, by policy, as meeting the requirements of sections 204 through 208 of the IRPR. In doing so, the Department has created LMIA exemption streams (via unique administrative codes) to capture the different eligibilities or criteria for those specific situations. The LMIA exemption codes are listed in the following tables.

Legislative sections:

A25.2 Public policies
R204: International agreements or arrangements
R205: Canadian interests
R206: No other means of support
R207: Permanent residence applicants in Canada
R207.1: Vulnerable workers
R208: Humanitarian reasons
International Mobility Workers Unit (IMWU): port of entry (POE) assistance

A25.2: Public policies

Act	LMIA exemption code
Public policies issued under A25.2 Guidance for special measures to support Hong Kong residents to come to Canada Public policy: Open work permits for applicants under the temporary resident to permanent resident pathway	R01

Act

LMIA exemption code

Public policies issued under A25.2

R01

R204: International agreements or arrangements

R204(a) Canada-international exemption codes
Regulation	LMIA exemption code
Canada–International Non-Trade Agreements Unique work situations: Airline personnel (operational, technical and ground personnel) United States government personnel	T11
Trader (FTA)	T21
Investor (FTA)	T22
Professional/technician (FTA)	T23
Intra-company transferee (FTA)	T24
Spouse (Colombia or Korea FTA)	T25
GATS professional	T33
Investor (CETA/CUKTCA)	T46
Contractual service supplier (CETA/CUKTCA)	T47
Engineering technologists and scientific technologists (CETA/ CUKTCA)	T48
Independent professional (CETA/CUKTCA)	T43
Intra-corporate (company) transferee (CETA/CUKTCA)	T44
Spouse (CETA/CUKTCA)	T45
Investor (CPTPP)	T50
Intra-company transferee (CPTPP)	T51
Professional or technician (CPTPP)	T52
Spouse (CPTPP)	T53

R204(b) Provincial/territorial-international exemption codes

There are no approved agreements at this time

R204(c) Canada-provincial/territorial exemption codes
Regulation	LMIA exemption code
Canada-provincial/territorial	T13
Atlantic Immigration Program	C18

R205: Canadian interests

R205(a) Significant benefit exemption codes
Regulation	LMIA exemption code
Significant benefit Unique work situations: Airline personnel (foreign airline security guards) Interns with international organizations recognized under the Foreign Missions and International Organizations Act Rail grinder operators, rail welders or other specialized track maintenance workers Experts on mission, working for a United Nations office in Canada Foreign physicians coming to work in Quebec Caribbean Agricultural Liaison Officers	C10
Entrepreneurs: Self-employed or potential provincial nominee as an entrepreneur Unique work situations: Fishing guides (Canadian lakes) Foreign camp owner or director, and outfitters Foreign freelance race jockeys	C11
Intra-company transferees (including GATS) Unique work situations Airline personnel (station managers)	C12
Emergency repair or repair personnel for out-of-warranty equipment	C13
Television and film production workers	C14
Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot	C15
Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot spouses	C17
Francophone mobility	C16
Live-in caregivers whose permanent residence application is submitted	A71
Caregivers whose permanent residence application is submitted under the Home Child Care Provider Pilot (HCCPP) or Home Support Worker Pilot (HSWP) (occupation-restricted open work permit)	C90
Spouses and dependants at age of majority of caregivers whose permanent residence application is submitted under the HCCPP or HSWP	C91
Permanent resident facilitation work permit categories Bridging open work permits (BOWPs) Caregivers under the HCCPP or HSWP Certain Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) holders currently in Quebec Yukon Community Pilot (YCP) Start-up business class (SUV) permanent resident visa applicants	A75
Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) holders currently outside Quebec	A76

R205(b) Reciprocal employment exemption codes
Regulation	LMIA exemption code
Reciprocal employment Unique work situations: Fishing guides (border lakes) Residential summer camp counsellors United States government personnel (family members)	C20
International Experience Canada Program	C21
Academic exchanges (professors, visiting lecturers)	C22
Performing arts	C23

R205(c) Designated by Minister

R205(c)(i) Research exemption codes
Regulation	LMIA exemption code
Research	C31
i.1) Educational co-op – post-secondary	C32
i.2) Educational co-op – secondary level	C33

R205(c)(ii) Competitiveness and public policy exemption codes
Regulation	LMIA exemption code
Spouses or common-law partners of skilled workers	C41
Spouses or common-law partners of full-time students	C42
Post-grad employment	C43
Post-doctoral Ph.D. fellows and award recipients	C44
Off-campus employment	See the instructions concerning students
Medical residents and fellows	C45

R205(d) Charitable or religious work exemption codes
Regulation	LMIA exemption code
Religious work	C50
Charitable work	C50

R206: No other means of support

R206 exemption codes
Regulation	LMIA exemption code
a. Refugee claimants	S61
b. Persons under an unenforceable removal order	S62

R207: Permanent residence applicants in Canada

R207 exemption codes
Regulation	LMIA exemption code
Permanent residence applicants in Canada: Live-in-caregiver class Spouse or common-law partner in Canada class Protected persons under subsection A95(2) Section A25 exemption (humanitarian and compassionate grounds) Family members of the above	A70

R207.1: Vulnerable workers

R207.1 exemption codes
Regulation	LMIA exemption code
1. Vulnerable workers	A72
2. Family member of vulnerable worker	A72

R208: Humanitarian reasons

R208 exemption codes
Regulation	LMIA exemption code
a. Destitute students	H81
b. Holders of a temporary resident permit valid for a minimum of six months	H82

International Mobility Workers Unit (IMWU): POE assistance

The IMWU supports Canada Border Services Agency officers with enquiries related to LMIA exemptions and work permit exemptions and provides opinions to employers seeking to hire foreign nationals from visa-exempt countries currently outside of Canada.

The IMWU is available during business hours. Enquiries sent outside business hours will be answered on the next business day.

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