If you have built a successful Canadian company, the logical next step is to expand into a new province. Perhaps you have already “locked down” your home province, and you know your business model will be successful in a neighboring area. What if you employ considerable numbers of immigrant workers? What kind of immigration issues could you encounter during your interprovincial expansion? These are questions you might want to raise during a consultation with a Canadian business immigration lawyer.
Canada Has Shut Down Barriers to Interprovincial Labour Mobility
In 2025, the Government of Canada took steps to remove barriers for companies trying to expand across different provinces. Some of these barriers specifically apply to immigrant workers, and their removal makes scaling easier. One of the most notable changes is the fact that any worker licensed or qualified to work in one province will be able to work in a similar occupation under federal jurisdiction. These changes came into effect on January 1, 2026, and it has never been a better time to scale across provinces in Canada.
Despite Canada’s goal of “building one economy instead of 13,” there is still considerable variation between provinces and territories when it comes to foreign workers. For example, Ontario has adopted an “As of Right” system that allows certified professionals to begin working in the province in as few as 10 days, and this applies to foreign workers as well as domestic workers. However, there is still considerable uncertainty as to whether other provinces will adopt similar programs.
Provincial Nominee Programs Could Be an Issue
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) are excellent options for foreign workers who want to enter the Canadian job market and contribute to the economy. However, they can be quite limiting for companies that are trying to expand across the country. The clue is in the name; these programs are specific to certain provinces. This means that a foreign worker who was admitted on a PNP might struggle to work in another province.
This makes sense when you consider the logic behind PNPs. These programs exist so that provinces can attract the best workers for their specific economic needs. If a worker enters the country through a PNP and effectively promises to contribute to that specific economy, it’s easy to see why “jumping ship” and moving to a different province could be an issue.
Specifically, moving a PNP to a different province as your company expands could constitute immigration fraud. When a worker applies for a PNP, they must declare an intent to reside in that specific province. If they subsequently relocate, this means that they effectively lied on their application. This issue can be particularly problematic if the worker relocates shortly after arriving.
That being said, this issue is not necessarily insurmountable. If you want to transfer one of your workers to a new province and they were admitted by the government on a PNP, consider speaking with an experienced immigration lawyer in Canada. These legal professionals may be able to help you assess your options. Sometimes, the solution is as simple as withdrawing the PNP file and seeking a different type of work permit. You could even apply for a new PNP associated with the other province
You May Encounter New Labour Market Impact Assessment Requirements
If you are planning to move a foreign worker to a new province as you expand, you could trigger new Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) requirements. If you are an experienced employer who has hired many foreign workers in the past, you probably know all about LMIAs. You probably also know how costly they can be, which could represent a new cost for expansion.
That being said, new LMIAs are not the end of the world. You simply need to factor this in when calculating the cost of doing business. If you want to assess the true costs of expanding into new provinces with foreign workers, consider speaking with an immigration lawyer. These legal professionals can help you calculate what this process will really cost in terms of not only LMIA fees, but also other costs.
The main takeaway here is that each province is unique. The most appropriate strategy depends entirely on where you are expanding from and which province you are expanding into.
Consider Guiding Your Foreign Workers Toward Permanent Residency
Although companies face numerous immigration barriers when expanding across provinces, the country is now making it easier for foreign workers to pursue pathways toward permanent citizenship. This is the government’s new policy, and it replaces the previous practice of allowing millions of temporary foreign workers into the country.
What does this mean for your company? If you encourage your workers to pursue permanent residency, it may be easier to move them across the country as you expand. Although temporary foreign workers and those participating in nominee programs may struggle to work legally in other provinces, these restrictions do not apply to “full” permanent residents.
Once your workers become permanent residents, they are free to work across the country with no limitations whatsoever. This could allow you to choose a talented foreign worker as the new manager of your new store in a different province, for example. The Canadian Government states that 33,000 temporary workers will become eligible for permanent residency thanks to this new, accelerated transitional program. Consider educating your worker about the “Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident” (TRPR) pathway.
Can a Canadian Business Immigration Lawyer Help Me?
From provincial nominee programs to temporary workers and wage variations, you might face various issues as you expand your operation into new provinces. While these issues might seem daunting at first, you do not have to face them alone. Why not work with a Canadian business immigration lawyer? When you get help from a legal professional, you can delegate immigration-related tasks while you focus on growing your business. Contact Ackah Business Immigration Law today for further guidance. Contact us today at (587) 404-5692, or find us online.
