Canadian business owners who have a history of hiring Temporary Foreign Workers will welcome the new fast-track, streamlined pilot program Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is introducing in September 2023. The Canadian government's new pilot program simplifies the hiring process for temporary foreign workers (TFWs) by employers who have a history of complying with the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) requirements. The Recognized Employer Pilot (REP) will allow eligible employers to obtain extended Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs), valid for up to 36 months. This change is an improvement from the current 18-month maximum. REP will be rolled out in two phases, with Phase 2 professional and skilled applications launching in January 2024 for occupations that "have been determined to be in-demand and to have an insufficient domestic labour supply.
What Is The Recognized Employer Pilot Program (REP)?
Canadian employers who have a history of hiring temporary foreign workers in Canada will welcome the new fast-track, streamlined pilot REP program IRCC is introducing in September. To participate in the REP program, employers must have been issued a minimum of three positive LMIAs for the same occupation over the past five years from a list of occupations that are designated as in-shortage and supported using Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) data. Eligible employers must also demonstrate that they have met the highest standards of working and living conditions and worker protection for their workers and agree to continue adhering to regular program requirements.
In addition to benefiting from an extended LMIA validity period, participants will benefit from a simplified LMIA application process for future LMIA applications for positions on the COPS list.
The pilot program will roll out in two phases:
- Beginning in September of 2023, applications will be accepted for positions in the Primary Agriculture stream. The Phase 1 occupations have been determined to be in-demand and to have insufficient domestic labour supply, including livestock labourers, harvesting labourers, greenhouse labourers and specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators.
- Phase 2 of the pilot program is set to begin in January 2024, when applications will be accepted for positions on ESDC’s Phase 2 REP occupations list, which is more extensive and includes occupations from other industry sectors, such as healthcare, food service, construction, trades, and manufacturing.
Applications for the new pilot program will be accepted until September 2024. Employers enrolled in the REP will be eligible to continue submitting requests using a simplified LMIA process during the pilot to fill positions approved in previous LMIAs if they need to hire more temporary foreign workers. The REP program is scheduled to conclude in the fall of 2026.
The REP program is a significant development that will make it easier for employers to hire the TFWs they need to fill in-demand positions. The program is part of Canada's commitment to addressing labour shortages in Canada by welcoming skilled, trained and educated immigrants.
Benefits Of The REP Program
Here are some of the key benefits of the REP program:
- Extended LMIA validity period of up to 36 months
- Simplified LMIA application process
- Eligibility for employers with a history of complying with the TFWP requirements
- Participation in the REP program is voluntary
The REP program is a valuable tool for employers who are facing labour shortages. If you are an employer who is interested in participating in the REP program, an experienced Canada business immigration lawyer can help you apply for the REP program and manage your TFW program.
Does Your Business Hire Temporary Foreign Workers? We Can Help
Our law firm can help businesses that hire temporary foreign workers. We have experience with all aspects of the temporary foreign worker visa process, from filing the initial paperwork to troubleshooting your new hire's arrival in Canada. We can help you:
- Determine if your business is eligible to hire temporary foreign workers and for the REP program
- Choose the right visa category for your needs
- File the necessary paperwork
- Navigate the application process
We understand that the temporary foreign worker visa process can be complex and time-consuming. We are here to help you every step of the way, so you can focus on your business.
Ackah Business Immigration Law and Evelyn Ackah, an award-winning Canada immigration lawyer recognized for her exceptional skill in preemptively resolving immigration issues, have established a strong reputation for unwavering commitment to assisting clients in realizing their dream of living and working in Canada.
Ackah Business Immigration Law has offices in Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver to help clients move to new opportunities in Canada. To get in touch with Ackah Law, contact us at (403) 452-9515 or send an email directly to contact@ackahlaw.com.
