Global Talent

• In Canada:
  • International students: Most international students are eligible to work off-campus without a work permit
  • International graduates: International students who have completed all requirements to graduate may be eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit
  • Open Work Permit holders
  • Newcomers: Find newcomer services or a settlement service provider organization near you
• Abroad:
  • Destination Canada Mobility Forum
  • European Commission Public Employment Services
• Express Entry candidates
  • Job match on the Government of Canada Job Bank

Temporary Foreign Worker Program

Hire a temporary worker when qualified Canadians are not available. From high-wage jobs to low-wage jobs, from agricultural positions to caregiving positions, this program has many different pathways that you, the employer, can take advantage of. The goal of this program is to meet labour shortages and requires the employer to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). 

Learn more about the Government of Canada's Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

Global Talent Stream

• Global Talent Stream (Category A): The Town of Oakville is a designated referral partner for this program and the Town can refer an innovative company looking to hire unique and specialized global talent to help the firm scale-up and grow. Learn more about Category A eligibility.
• Global Talent Stream (Category B): Hire highly skilled foreign workers to fill positions in in-demand occupations from the Global Talent Occupations List.

Learn more about the Government of Canada's Global Talent Stream program.

International Mobility Program

Hire a temporary worker without a LMIA through the International Mobility Program (IMP). This requires you to pay an employer compliance fee and submit an offer of employment form through the Employer Portal. The IMP does not depend on the wage offered and is meant to promote stronger relationships between Canada and other nations. 

Employers can hire permanent foreign workers and recent graduates to fill labour shortages for trained or skilled workers and support their permanent residence applications. Learn more about the Government of Canada's programs that support hiring permanent foreign workers.

Express Entry Program

Access Express Entry pool candidates when you are unable to find qualified Canadians/permanent residents to fill job vacancies. Use tools such as the Job Bank to support a foreign worker’s Permanent Residence (PR) application through Express Entry. The following programs are available under Express Entry:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program: Hire skilled workers with foreign work experience
• Federal Skilled Trades Program: Hire skilled workers qualified in a skilled trade
• Canadian Experience Class: Hire skilled workers who have Canadian work experience

Learn more about the Government of Canada's Express Entry program.

Francophone Mobility Program

Hire French-speaking workers without a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This program applies for any TEER category except for primary agriculture occupations, and what’s even better? The position does not necessarily need to be in French. Learn more about the Francophone Mobility Program.

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)

Work with the province to nominate a skilled worker for permanent residence in Ontario. No LMIA is required. Job offers must be full-time and permanent and positions must be urgently necessary to the employer’s business. There are nine streams under the OINP, but three are relevant for employers:

• Foreign Worker stream: Hire skilled foreign workers with job offers
• International Student stream: Hire recent graduates with job offers
• In-Demand Skills stream: Hire foreign workers in an in-demand occupation with job offers

Learn more about the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program.

International Mobility Workers Unit (IMWU)

 This free service to helps employers determine if a foreign worker they are considering for hire is exempt from the LMIA or work permit requirements. Learn more on the Government of Canada's International Mobility Workers Unit page.

Employer's Roadmap to Hiring and Retaining Internationally Trained Workers

Find out if hiring internationally trained workers (ITWs) might be the right choice for you, learn more about who can work in Canada, explore the recruitment and assessment process, and more on the Government of Canada's Employer's Roadmap to Hiring and Retaining Internationally Trained Workers page.