The Temporary Foreign Worker Program

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) is jointly managed by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). The TFWP allows employers to hire foreign workers in situations where Canadian citizens and permanent residents are not available or qualified to fill positions in the Canadian labour market.

If you are interested in hiring a temporary foreign worker, you may want to consult the following step-by-step guide: How to Hire a Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW): A Guidebook for Employers.

Labour market opinions

In most cases, employers who wish to hire temporary foreign workers must first apply for a labour market opinion. A positive labour market opinion supports the hiring of foreign workers for temporary positions in Canada.

This process ensures that temporary foreign workers have a positive impact on the Canadian labour market and that these workers are not competing with Canadians for the same jobs. For more information, please visit HRSDC's Web site.

Temporary Foreign Worker Units

The CIC's Temporary Foreign Worker Units offer guidance to employers and/or their authorized representatives who want to employ foreign workers. These units will not respond to inquiries from any other source or from foreign workers themselves.
The units pre-screen supporting documents from employers to streamline the application process. These units also provide opinions to border services officers who screen foreign workers at border crossings and airports to ensure they meet eligibility requirements.
For more information, please visit CIC's Web site.

Applying for or extending a work permit

CIC is responsible for processing work permit applications outside Canada and for processing work permit extension applications from within Canada. A work permit is required for most temporary jobs in Canada although there are some exceptions (e.g. certain business people).

Applying for work permits at ports of entry

Border services officers at ports of entry make the final decision on who may enter Canada. With respect to the TFWP, this includes assessing admissibility, work permit eligibility and other documentary requirements. For more information on applying for work permits at ports of entry, please visit CIC's Web site.

Who can apply for a work permit at a port of entry?

• nationals or permanent residents of the United States, Greenland, and Saint-Pierre and Miquelon;
• persons whose employment does not require a labour market opinion or a temporary resident visa;
• persons who require a labour market opinion and a positive opinion has been issued before they enter Canada; and
• persons whose work permit has been approved but not issued.

Admissibility requirements

Meeting all the requirements to work under the TFWP does not guarantee a person's entry into Canada. A prospective temporary foreign worker must also prove to a border services officer that he or she is admissible to Canada and meets the requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (see sections 34-42 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act).

Documentary requirements

• a valid passport or travel document, unless the person is exempt (see subsection 52(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations ); and
• a valid temporary resident visa, if required.

Other required documentation to support a work permit application

• a valid job offer/employment contract;
• a positive labour market opinion from HRSDC or a labour market opinion exemption from CIC;
• a valid immigration medical certificate;
• a Quebec certificate of acceptance to work in Quebec, if applicable;
• professional/academic and/or job qualifications; and
• applicable registrations or licences.