Finding people with specialized knowledge and skills is often critical to expanding operations and succession planning. Hiring skilled international workers who value the opportunities in Canada can lower turnover and maintain high productivity.

Working with an immigration company that understands your hiring process and the challenge of moving to Canada is instrumental to planning and successfully hiring internationally.

There are many methods of temporary and permanent immigration and it is important to find one that suites your needs and company objectives. The following outlines one potential avenue for Alberta employers hiring skilled trades from outside of Canada.

This avenue offers
Step 1) A temporary work permit so your employee can begin working in Canada as soon as possible,
Step 2) Permanent immigration so that they continue to live and work Canada while permanent residency is processed, providing the company with long term staffing solutions.

Step 1: Labour Market Opinion – Temporary Work Permit

A Labour Market Opinion (LMO) is applied for through HRSDC to explain the need to hire internationally. Upon approval the employee can apply for a work permit at a Canadian Consulate, or at the border if they are visa exempt. Work Permits are currently being issued for one year but they can be issued for a three year period. LMO applications can be made for an individual or for groups of workers. It is ideal for large numbers of vacancies that need to be filled quickly.

Time Line: Initial LMO applications in Alberta are currently taking 15-30 business days to be processed by Service Canada . It can take anywhere from 1 – 90 days for work permit approval. Processing times are longer if the employee is from a developing country or required to complete a medical examination.

Trades Certification in Alberta

Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training require that all compulsory trades are registered before working in Alberta. They must work on certification within 90 days and attempt certification within 180 days.

The timing for completing the registration and certification process depends on if the trade certification is deemed to be compulsory (mandatory) or non-compulsory (voluntary).

Step 2: Nominee Program – Permanent Residency

The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) allows workers to stay permanently in Canada. We need to show the Provincial Government that the employer has been unable to fill a position and would like to fill a position permanently with an international worker. Once the Government gives first stage approval, a two year work permit can be issued.

Time Line: Alberta Approval takes 6-11 months with Citizenship and Immigration granting permanent residency after an additional 12 months

* All processing times listed in this document are subject to change.