Do I need a job offer for an LMIA-exempt work permit?

For employer-specific routes such as Francophone Mobility, CUSMA professionals, intra-company transfers and significant benefit, yes: the employer submits the offer in the IRCC Employer Portal and pays the compliance fee. Open work permits, such as a working holiday or post-graduation permit, need no offer.

What French level does Francophone Mobility need?

NCLC 5 in speaking and listening, for a job outside Quebec. Applications made before 15 June 2023 needed NCLC 7.

Is an LMIA-exempt job easier to get than an LMIA job?

The employer skips the LMIA, its advertising and its fee, which makes some employers more willing to hire. But you have to fit one of the categories, and the permit is still decided by IRCC.

Is ApplyWave an employer or a recruitment agency?

No. ApplyWave lists jobs from employers and helps you prepare your application. We do not employ anyone or apply for permits, and real employers never charge money for a job or a work permit.

LMIA-Exempt Work Permits in Canada (2026): Francophone Mobility, CUSMA, Transfers and Open Permits

Most employers in Canada need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) before they can hire from abroad. The International Mobility Program (IMP) is the other door: set categories of workers get a work permit without one. Here is who qualifies, what the employer has to do, and what changed in 2025–2026.

13,458 jobs in Canada open now →Employers with positive LMIAs →

ApplyWave is not an employer or a recruitment agency. You apply to each employer directly — we find their contact and write your letter. Real employers never charge money for a job or a visa sponsorship.

The main LMIA-exempt routes

Each route has its own exemption code; the employer names it when it submits the job offer.

Francophone Mobility (C16)French at NCLC 5 in speaking and listening, a job offer in any occupation outside Quebec except primary agriculture in TEER 4 and 5.
CUSMA professionalsCitizens of the United States or Mexico in a profession listed in the trade agreement, with the matching qualifications.
Intra-company transfereesExecutives, senior managers and specialised-knowledge staff moving to a Canadian branch, parent or subsidiary of the company they already work for abroad.
Significant benefit (C10)Work that brings a clear social, cultural or economic benefit to Canada. IRCC tightened the officer instructions on 24 February 2026: it is for unique or exceptional cases, not a way round a slow LMIA.
International Experience CanadaWorking holiday and young professional permits for young citizens of partner countries; the working holiday permit is open.
Open work permitsNot tied to one employer: post-graduation permits for eligible graduates of Canadian colleges and universities, and permits for some spouses of students and workers.

Francophone Mobility: the route most people ask about

Since 15 June 2023 the bar is French at NCLC 5 in speaking and listening (it was NCLC 7 before). The job can be in any occupation, at any skill level, anywhere in Canada outside Quebec — except primary agriculture in TEER 4 and 5. You still need a job offer from an employer.

English is not tested for this route. Your French is shown with an approved test such as TEF Canada or TCF Canada; check the current list on canada.ca before you book one.

What the employer does instead of an LMIA

For an employer-specific permit, the employer submits the offer of employment in the IRCC Employer Portal under the right exemption code and pays the employer compliance fee (from $230). The portal gives an offer number, which you put in your work permit application. The employer can then be inspected on the wages and conditions it offered.

Someone who already holds an open work permit needs none of this: any employer can hire them, without an offer in the portal and without the fee.

Open work permits for family since 2025

Since 21 January 2025 a spouse's open work permit depends on what the principal is doing: spouses of students in master's programmes of 16 months or longer, doctoral and some professional programmes, and spouses of workers in TEER 0 or 1 jobs or certain TEER 2 and 3 jobs in shortage sectors. Working-age children of workers no longer get one. Check canada.ca for the current list.

Questions people ask

Do I need a job offer for an LMIA-exempt work permit?: For employer-specific routes such as Francophone Mobility, CUSMA professionals, intra-company transfers and significant benefit, yes: the employer submits the offer in the IRCC Employer Portal and pays the compliance fee. Open work permits, such as a working holiday or post-graduation permit, need no offer.
What French level does Francophone Mobility need?: NCLC 5 in speaking and listening, for a job outside Quebec. Applications made before 15 June 2023 needed NCLC 7.
Is an LMIA-exempt job easier to get than an LMIA job?: The employer skips the LMIA, its advertising and its fee, which makes some employers more willing to hire. But you have to fit one of the categories, and the permit is still decided by IRCC.
Is ApplyWave an employer or a recruitment agency?: No. ApplyWave lists jobs from employers and helps you prepare your application. We do not employ anyone or apply for permits, and real employers never charge money for a job or a work permit.

Rules checked against International Mobility Program, canada.ca and Francophone Mobility eligibility, canada.ca in October 2026. They change: check the official page before you apply.