Canada Recognized Employer Work Permit Program (REP) Expands by 84 New Occupations

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Canadian employers who are hoping to bring in foreign nationals to Canada as temporary workers through the streamlined, Recognized Employer Pilot (REP) can now hire them for a greatly-expanded list of eligible occupations.

When the pilot’s first phase kicked off in September, it was targeted solely on the agricultural sector and allowed REP-qualified employers to hire temporary workers only for four occupations, including:

84 Occupations Are Now Eligible For Rep-Qualified Employers

Under the second phase of the REP, though, that list of eligible occupations has exploded to include 84 occupations, allowing recognized employers to benefit from validity periods of up to 36 months for Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications that receive a positive decision and also access a simplified LMIA application when hiring additional workers.

The list of eligible occupations under the second phase of the REP, which started this month, includes:

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Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) proactively asked employers expected to meet REP eligibility criteria to apply using a dual-purpose LMIA application which differs from the regular LMIA. The ESDC was able to determine each employer’s REP eligibility based on its track record with the TFWP.

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Even if an employer did not get recognized status, he or she remains eligible to use the TFWP and the ESDC will continue to assess their LMIA.

Employers Can Apply To Hire Temporary Foreign Workers Through The Online Portal

Employers can apply in one of two ways:

• through the LMIA online portal, a reliable and secure platform where employers can complete and submit an online application to ESDC or;
• If the employer has a proof of valid exemption to the LMIA online portal, they can e-mail a PDF application form to ESDC.

The REP status gives employers access to:

• a simplified application process for future LMIA applications for positions on the Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) list;
• fewer points of contact between participating employers and ESDC during the pilot due to simplified LMIA forms which enable employers to hire more temporary foreign workers, and;
• a Jobbank designation to show their recognized status to help them recruit prospective workers.

Canadian employers hoping to attract workers through economic immigration can recruit them through the TFWP and the International Mobility Program (IMP).

The Global Talent Stream (GTS), a part of the TFWP, can under normal processing situations lead to the granting of Canadian work permits and processing of visa applications within two weeks.

Employers can also bring in foreign nationals to fill available positions through the Express Entry system, which receives immigration applications online.

It powers the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST), and Canada Experience Class Program (CEC) which all draw from the Express Entry pool of candidates. Those with the required Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores are then sent Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in regular draws.