Backgrounder: Recognized Employer Pilot for Temporary Foreign Workers

Backgrounder

For repeat Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program employers who have a track record of adhering to program standards, the Recognized Employer Pilot (REP) will assist in easing administrative burdens and streamlining the hiring process.

Before they may apply for a work visa to engage a temporary foreign worker, the majority of companies must complete a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). An LMIA attests to the requirement for a temporary foreign worker and the absence of any qualified Canadians or permanent residents for the position. Additionally, it confirms that the employer has made a valid employment offer and has met with all program rules designed to protect workers.

Conditions For Employer

To be qualified to take part in REP, employers must have at least three positive LMIAs for the same profession from the list of occupations that have been identified as in-demand and backed by data from the Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS).
Recognized employers have access to LMIA validity periods of up to 36 months and, if necessary, streamlined LMIA applications to hire more employees in the future.

REP Will Launch in Two Phases:

• Employers in the Primary Agriculture stream will be able to submit applications for the 2024 season starting in September 2023, which marks the start of Stage 1.
• Stage two starts in January 2024 and welcomes applications from all additional business sectors.
Applications will be accepted for both streams up until September 2024.

Employers who are anticipated to meet REP eligibility requirements will be proactively encouraged to submit an application using a dual-purpose LMIA, which is different from the standard LMIA.
Using the employer’s prior experience with the TFW Program, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) will decide if the applicant qualifies for the REP. In the event that an employer is not granted recognized status, they would still be able to participate in the TFW Program, and the Department would still evaluate their LMIA.

There are two ways to submit an LMIA or REP application:
• Employers can submit online applications to ESDC using the LMIA Online Portal, a reputable and secure platform, or,
• If they have a valid exemption to the LMIA Online Portal, A PDF application form can be emailed to ESDC.
When assessing a REP application, a company’s historical compliance with the TFW Program and how frequently it uses the Program to fill desirable positions will be taken into consideration.
Employers who qualify can anticipate:


• Owing to streamlined LMIA forms, there will be fewer points of contact between participating firms and ESDC throughout the trial, allowing them to hire more temporary foreign workers for legitimate job offers during REP.

• A Job Bank designation that shows their recognized status to improve interest from potential workers; and a simplified application process for future LMIA applications for positions on the COPS list.

• Because they previously benefited from faster LMIA processing, Global Talent Stream occupations from the COPS assessment of the present state of the labor market have been removed from the REP.

Stakeholders will be given technical briefings by EDSC to learn more about REP and the application procedure.
Owing to streamlined LMIA forms, there will be fewer points of contact between participating firms and ESDC throughout the trial, allowing them to hire more temporary foreign workers for legitimate job offers.